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My 15 Favorite Film Scores |
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Back to Lists Archive |
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I consider the soundtrack to be an incredibly important part of filmmaking. And for a "goosebump-inducing" movie moment, great background music is almost a requirement. So I finally got around to compile a list of my favorite movie scores. Enjoy.
This list does not include:
1) Non-original music, such as the soundtracks to any Tarantino movie.
2) Musical soundtracks, which should explain the absence of Moulin Rouge and several Disney films. |
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15. Raiders of the Lost Ark (John Williams)
A fittingly glorious score for one of the most glorious adventures of our time. The main theme is pure moviegoing bliss.
14. Batman (Danny Elfman)
A gothic-flavored and gorgeous soundtrack for one of Tim Burton's earliest films. The duo of Elfman & Burton usually achieve wonders.
13. Gladiator (Hans Zimmer)
Hans Zimmer is the king of epic film music. But as good as his score for Gladiator may be, he's better yet when working with Tony Scott and Michael Bay. Expect more of this German-born wunderkind further on.
12. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Ennio Morricone)
Featuring perhaps the most parodied main title theme since Herrmann's Psycho, Sergio Leone's semi-campy western epic hits many of the right notes (forgive the pun).
11. The War Zone (Simon Boswell)
A devastating score for a devastating film. A simple piano melody renders that final pullaway shot almost unbearable.
10. Crimson Tide (Hans Zimmer) |
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The first great score of the aforementioned Hans Zimmer, here letting it all out with an incredible rock-flavored orchestra score. The main theme alone is a perfectly legitimate reason to see this film, even if you're not into submarine thrillers.
9. The Lord of the Rings (Howard Shore) |
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Since Lord of the Rings is basically one long spectacular journey, I figured I could cluster all three of them into one spot. Instead, I will single out the three best tracks in the entire trilogy: "Evenstar", "Isengard Unleashed" and "Minas Tirith". Oh, how I love these films.
8. The Godfather (Nino Rota) |
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The Godfather certainly wouldn't be The Godfather without that hauntingly beautiful Sicilian mandolin taking over when Marlon Brando and Al Pacino are not chewing the scenery. Strikingly perfect.
7. The Passion of the Christ (John Debney) |
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Forceful, stirring and unforgettable - John Debney's score added a considerable amount to this film's sheer power. I sincerely hope we will see more of this young new talent in the future.
6. The Rock (Hans Zimmer) |
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This is the last Zimmer score on my list, I promise. And as such, it is also my favorite. The glorious title theme is as good as blockbuster music is ever going to be - and that is pretty much a fact.
5. Spirited Away (Joe Hisaishi) |
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I don't know if it's the fact that this music conjures up so many beautiful images from this timeless masterpiece of animated filmmaking, or the other way around - but this music has such an emotional effect on me. So simple, yet so painfully beautiful. Speaking of which, I think I have to watch this movie again right now.
4. Jurassic Park (John Williams) |
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I am convinced that John Williams is the next musical genius of our time. And so is pretty much everyone, so let's just say this soundtrack is an audial marvel. Irresistible. Sweeping. Perfect as a clock. Nevertheless, Williams made even stronger magic that year, and I'm obviously speaking of...
3. Schindler's List (John Williams) |
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Schindler's List, which is in my opinion the greatest film of all time, also features John William's very best music to back up its enormous emotional punch. The main variation, whether when played on violin or piano, is a knock-out of the most unflinching kind. Shattering.
2. Requiem for a Dream (Clint Mansell) |
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Whenever I describe the emotional impact this transcending movie masterpiece had on me, one of the things I bring up first is the music. This score, credited Clint Mansell, sets the pitch perfect mood - feverish, hallucinatory, dreamlike and heartbreakingly beautiful. Film music doesn't get much better than this.
1. Edward Scissorhands (Danny Elfman) |
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And so there is one score that I hold in higher regard than all others. Danny Elfman's music for Tim Burton's modern classic is pretty close to the stuff that dreams are made of. Every
time I listen to this, I am struck with childlike wonder over the sheer lonesome beauty of Elfman's audial masterpiece. It is magic for the ears and soul. |
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The End. Thank you for reading! |
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