When we think of films, we usually think of the actors, the sets, and the costumes. But so often we forget about a patricular aspect that has a greater impact than all of those. Music. What would movies be without their music? Would we even be able to recognize movies like "Jaws" without its creepy ever daunting score. Daaa da. Daaa da. Simply using two different sounds, two notes, "Jaws" created a phenomenon. The music behind a movie sets the tone. It gives audience members a feeling that couldn't be felt by watching, only by listening. Music has the ability to cause suspense, bring tears, and provoke laughter all in a span of two hours. Here are some of the greatest movie scores.
1. "Harry Potter"
This tune bursts with nostalgia. We are the generation that grew up watching and reading "Harry Potter." So when we hear this score, it reminds us of growing up and the power that a young person can have on the world.
2. "Up"
The only movie that was able to bring every audience member to tears in the first five minutes. And a lot of that is thanks to this amazing score. It brings the sweetness and simplicity of our lives to light as it follows Carl and Ellie throughout their sweet and simple life.
3. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"
This ten-minute score almost doesn't seem long enough as it prepares us towards the end of an incredible film series. "The Return of the King's" score has everything a story like this needs, and never ceases to remind the audience just how triumphant and complex a good vs. evil story can be.
4. "Pride and Prejudice"
Simple and elegant. That is exactly what makes this song perfect as it parallels the raw and true love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. It is so easy to be swept away by this score and thrown into a world of dancing parties, letter writing, and tea drinking.
5. "The Godfather"
The infamous song that preludes every "Godfather" movie never fails to pull you into the world of the Corleone family, the good, the bad, and the worse. This song almost romanticizes their way of life in the most perfect way imaginable. A little bit eerie, a little bit loving, and ever so threatening.
6. "Schindler's List"
One of the most powerful scores of all time. "Schindler's List's" score feels as if the notes are crying out in pain as you watch the horror that was the Holocaust. It is almost impossible for anyone to put into words the pain that transpired throughout this time. This is the perfect example example of how music can show emotion better than words.
7. "Forrest Gump"
"Forrest Gump." Can you see that white feather floating through the sky right now? While listening to this you are transported into the mind of one Forrest Gump. He's just going along, just like the notes in this song, how they are just going along, following their path, not even realizing that all these unbelievable experiences are happening right before his/their eyes. This song reminds you to just be happy with what you have.
8. "The Holiday"
Hans Zimmer, the same man that created music for movies like "Inception," "The Dark Knight," "The Lion King," and "Pirates of the Caribbean" also created the score for this romantic comedy. And I know it seems odd to choose this score out of all of the options he has, but the way he fits each piece of music to each character is nothing short of genius. The music perfectly accents each aspect of the movie.
