Great Movie Themes - Where Are They?

[chris3789]

I used to love great movie themes. There have been some absolute classics. John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith were rpolific in providing us with themes we were whistling when we came out of the theatre. Alan Silvestri and Danny Elfman have produced some fine work too but has anyone noticed that the big films of late give us nothing. Let's just ask ourselves, can we think of the theme tune from any of Marvel's superhero pictures of late? What about The Avengers?
I honestly can't think of many films from say, the last ten years that have a definitive theme. I don't watch every movie so I may have missed some greats so if there are any, please let me know.
What are your favourites of all-time and favourites of the last ten years?

Chris.

 

[Crank729]

The dark knight trilogy has some great music.

TRON:Legacy- Despite what you think of the movie, the theme and soundtrack were both amazing.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

The dark knight trilogy has some great music.

Perhaps, but no themes. Nothing that gets stuck in your head or makes you identify with the film.

 

[Crank729]

Good point.

In that case, I got nothing.

 

[chris3789]

Perhaps, but no themes. Nothing that gets stuck in your head or makes you identify with the film.

I have to agree. It took some trawling of the Dark Knight soundtrack to find something that resembled a theme, I think it was called Introduce A Little Anarchy. Still not a theme you can take with you when you leave the theatre.

 

[laserpistol76]

TRON:Legacy- Despite what you think of the movie, the theme and soundtrack were both amazing.

Definitely "Derezzed"

 

[TheDoctor]

Not as many now days, but there are a few (since 2000):
- The Bond movies
- Sherlock Holmes
- Harry Potter
- Sky Captain

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Not as many now days, but there are a few (since 2000):
- The Bond movies
- Sherlock Holmes
- Harry Potter
- Sky Captain

To be Devil's advocate... :love

Bond movies are a little different. Aside from the credit track (which is just a pop/rock song) are there any memorable themes there aside from the Bond theme we've loved for 50 years? Older Bond films had plenty, not so much now.

Sherlock Holmes, couldn't whistle it if I tried. Sky Captain, same deal.

Even though I'm not a fan I'll give you Harry Potter. But that's no modern composer, it's John Williams.

Music for film today fits the films well but isn't memorable and themes are few & far between.

 

[Roland]

... Even though I'm not a fan I'll give you Harry Potter. But that's no modern composer, it's John Williams. ...

True. But Chris didn't talk about modern composers. He talked about modern movies, no matter who wrote the theme. So why shouldn't Harry Potter count?

 

[Talisen]

Jurassic park, Burton's Batman, the obvious one's like Star Wars and Indy - John Williams used to write a lot of great themes. But it's true, the distinctive themes have all but disappeared in the past decade.

 

[Clutch]

You need some great movies first.

 

[Laspector]

I thought the first Iron Man had a catchy theme that stuck in my head, that little 5 note riff. But it seems to have disappeared. Now it's just all AC/DC music whenever he appears.

 

[BlobVanDam]

I am in agreement with the OP, although I was never sure if it was just my relative lack of watching more recent movies, or maybe my nostalgia for '80s movies biasing me. :lol

But how many movies from the past decade or so have a theme that is as recognized and memorable as the Indiana Jones theme, the Star Wars theme / Imperial March, the BTTF theme?
These are undeniable classic movies themes, and people identify them regardless of whether they've even seen the movie. They've transcended the movies.

Maybe I just live under a rock.

 

[Mola Rob]

The trend to have a memorable theme started vanishing in the late 90's. Now the music seems geared more for mood than anything else. Heroic Indy or Robocop type themes have pretty much vanished.

I will agree that Tron Legacy does have a great semi-throwback score, I am totally addicted to the Disc Wars track.

Music in the movies has been changing with the times since movies began so the mighty theme might reappear again someday (when we're all old or dead). :lol

 

[ob1al]

LOTR has a great theme. Several of them, in fact.

 

[Talisen]

LOTR has a great theme. Several of them, in fact.

None come to mind - not to say that I wouldn't recognize them if I heard them, but I can't recall them off the top of my head.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

LOTR has a great theme. Several of them, in fact.

None come to mind - not to say that I wouldn't recognize them if I heard them, but I can't recall them off the top of my head.

Maybe it's because I'm not a fan that I don't think of LOTR but there is the one grand theme I recall.

 

[Stencil]

Off the top of my head, here's a couple worth mentioning, but you're right. It's getting less and less.

Brave heart
Pirates of the Caribbean
Gladiator
The Rock

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Off the top of my head, here's a couple worth mentioning, but you're right. It's getting less and less.

Brave heart
Pirates of the Caribbean
Gladiator
The Rock

Hate to make everyone feel ancient (myself included) but Braveheart & The Rock are almost 20 years old. Gladiator is 12 years old, and the POTC theme is 8 years old...

 

[Talisen]

Yeah! POTC - I knew there was one recent theme I had talked about, we had watched the movie earlier this month and the theme came up, and it start this same discussion...