Five Best Film Scores
Words and Picks by Haley Black
Music is one of the key elements to making films fully dynamic and intriguing for audiences, however, for some people it can be easily overlooked as it is played as a sound in the background. Some of the most talented musicians are in fact those who have composed entire scores for movies. Whether you as the viewer realizes it or not, instrumental music can alter the emotion of a moment drastically, whether it is inducing the sensation of terror in screeching horror films trills, or full on orchestra configurations with bellowing horns and booming drum beats that get your heart racing in action scenes. Here are just a few of the many immensely talented composers who have used their skills to make films more aesthetic than simply visual.
Danny Elfman – The Nightmare Before Christmas
Danny Elfman is perhaps one of the best composers for film that there is. He has created the music for Men In Black, Silver Linings Playbook, Taking Woodstock, Spiderman, and nearly every Tim Burton movie ever created. I absolutely love his work in The Nightmare Before Christmas, a classic Tim Burton animation. I love the eerie and solemn, yet alluring songs that take the film’s journey to the next level.
M83 – Oblivion
M83 was the perfect artist to take on the movie score for Oblivion. His style meshes extremely well with the whole futuristic/apocalyptic vibe that drives the film’s plot. While the tracks are similar to most scores with full orchestra compositions, he added his own flair with synth and sci-fi elements to better fit each situation.
Patrick Doyle – Brave
Of course a Disney (well, Pixar) movie made the list! I’ll admit that I am a sucker for Disney, but I’m not being biased when I say that the Brave soundtrack, scored by Patrick Doyle is magical. Brave is not only a kid movie, but a cultural one at that. The Scottish elements of the scenery, obviously the accents, and the bagpipe and flute driven music are astounding. The score adds so much character to such a wonderful animated film.
Alexandre Desplat – Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Alexandre Desplat has quite the impressive resume when it comes to his work with movies, including crafting the scores for the Twilight series, Argo, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, several Wes Anderson films, and most recently Monuments Men. The Harry Potter series has one of the most epic scores I have ever heard or witnessed on the big screen. Each individual track that accompanies a specific scene creates ten times more emotion. The score itself can immediately be distinguished with the series, having an identity of its own. I don’t doubt that without the amazing compositions in each of the Harry Potter movies that they would not be quite as up to par.
Yann Tiersen – Amelie
Not many people sit around and listen to movie scores recreationally, but I’ll shamelessly admit that I adore this film score. Yann Tiersen has composed scores for several movies and always captures the essence of the films flawlessly. The French pianist has created a masterpiece with the Amelie soundtrack. A lot of the tracks are dominated by lovely piano and accordion melodies, which ultimately add to the foreign film’s French culture. The movie’s storyline and cinematic quality are whimsical and lighthearted, and the soundtrack adds another layer to properly shape the emotion of the movie. If you haven’t seen the film, go check it out on Netflix to hear the magic for yourself.
