Great Movie Themes - Where Are They?

[chris3789]

Some interesting stuff there Guys. I appreciate that movie music has evolved as much as movies have but just think that Bryan Singer decided to go back to Williams's theme for Superman Returns and Stallone resurrected Rambo's theme when he resurrected Rambo. Film makers know good themes when they hear them but don't seem to want to add them to new films.
Considering smell and sound are very emotive and I can't see scratch and sniff cinema coming back anytime soon, I still think that the lack of a solid theme is a missed trick.
Still looking forward to hearing more thoughts on this.
Chris.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

To be fair, as much as I love a good theme I didn't feel like Dark Knight, or Skyfall, or really any of the other modern films I like were missing anything.

I left the theatre just as happy, just not whistling a tune.

 

[QuatermassAndTheGit]

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[Michael Bergeron]

I actually thought the song 'A Dark Knight' from the last scene of TDK, where Gordon's monologueing and Batman's running, was pretty catchy.
Dun-dun dun-dun, dun-dun dun-dun, dun-dun dun-dun, dun-dun dun-dun duuuuuuuuun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!:lol

:lol

A tension track with a musical cue does not a theme song make!

For what it was though the Nolan Batman films definitely gave the right feel.

 

[TheDoctor]

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.

Actually, since the "pop song" provides the basis for the music motif used throughout the film (in the Craig movies), I think it still counts. I get maybe it doesn't count from a "composed, instrumental score" angle, but given that the elements are used throughout, it's still a theme.

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

Maybe YOU can't, but I certainly could - especially Sky Captain, I LOVED the Sky Captain theme! It fit right along with the spirit of what the OP was talking about.

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.

It doesn't matter how old the composer is - it's more a matter of the composition.

I don't disagree with the conclusion, but it's a factor of a number of different things, including:
- With entire departments within production companies aimed at this, it's become easier to license music rather than compose original music.
- Music is less focused on as an element to drive emotion in narrative (for better or worse). More movies are relying on the strength of the characters and story and music, while present, takes a backseat.

 

[micdavis]

Another reason the Adam West Batman IS the best Batman.

Great freaking theme song that everybody knows.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Another reason the Adam West Batman IS the best Batman.

Great freaking theme song that everybody knows.

I love that man for so many different reasons! :thumbsup

Batman! Batman! Batman!

 

[Zuiun]

I think that Michael Giacchino is doing some VERY good movie score work these days.

His score for Cloverfield (you have to stay for the end credits to hear it) is absolutely phenomenal. It's a modern twist on the classic monster movie kind of theme.

Also, I really liked his work in Star Trek and Super 8.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Actually, since the "pop song" provides the basis for the music motif used throughout the film (in the Craig movies), I think it still counts. I get maybe it doesn't count from a "composed, instrumental score" angle, but given that the elements are used throughout, it's still a theme.

I don't recall QOS or Skyfall using the theme at all... CR definitely did though.

It doesn't matter how old the composer is - it's more a matter of the composition.

On the contrary I was referring to the "dying breed" most people doing themes right now are in their 70's & 80's. Explains why they're becoming more rare.

I don't disagree with the conclusion, but it's a factor of a number of different things, including:
- With entire departments within production companies aimed at this, it's become easier to license music rather than compose original music.

Nonsense. There is a wider variety of composers out there now than ever before producing original scores.

- Music is less focused on as an element to drive emotion in narrative (for better or worse). More movies are relying on the strength of the characters and story and music, while present, takes a backseat.

On this we agree. It's a shame they can't do it all!