We all know the importance of music—the soundtrack—in moving a moving picture on every emotional level. How do we know this? Because I’ve said it at least a hundred times and I would never lie to you (except about how you look in those shoes).
When music and picture are literally and artfully aligned the effect can be irresistible. Even powerful male primates will succomb to tears. Do not be ashamed—we all longed for Paul Walker to be among us again when “See You Again” played over the final scenes of Furious 7. Haven’t seen Furious 7? I’m sorry for your loss—it was a great movie-movie on so many levels, from the audacity and humor of its action to the moving bond between its larger-than-life characters. Oh, almost forgot the hot cars and ridiculously smoking bodies—apologies!
This worldwide blockbuster has largely faded from the theaters but “See You Again” from its enormously successful soundtrack album is the current Number One single in the country, its video with over 600 million views. Great synergy between music and film. (BTW, the entire soundtrack is a fully satisfying emersion into hip-hop, dance and Latin pop, all shaken and stirred. Enjoy the ride.)
Interestingly, the soundtrack to 50 Shades Of Grey is still high on the charts, as are two singles from the album, “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding and the provocatively sensual “Earned It” by The Weeknd. Yet the movie is gone and nearly forgotten, a far less ‘pleasurable’ experience on screen than the book seemed to promise. Was it the implausibly icy Ken-doll protagonist…or was I just focused on my medium popcorn, extra butter? We may never know. But we do know that even a great soundtrack can’t polish a nerd.
Let’s leave the heat of the moment for a moment and get Frozen, the animated musical from Disney. It’s not news that the Frozen soundtrack was the biggest selling album worldwide in 2014 with over 14 million sold—talk about hot. Or that the single “Let It Go” was a huge hit not only as performed by Broadway diva Idina Menzel but also by pop diva Demi Lovato. What’s impressive (to me) is that Disney commissioned one songwriting team to write all of the songs for Frozen—Kristen Anderson-Lopez and husband Robert Lopez—and one composer—Christophe Beck. And in so doing accomplished the goal of creating a cohesive sonic tapestry to wrap the animated tale in seamlessly. Beautiful.
Sometimes a “blockbuster” has a film score that is simply intended to be a film score—not a pop chart busting break out hit. Such a score is the one by composer Michael Giacchino, who adopted John Williams’ original theme for Jurassic World and went his own way from there. (Always remember that dinosaurs should be scored with a full orchestra rather than EDM or hip-hop music. You’re welcome.)
And sometimes a song could only “hit” in the context of its cinematic moment. Such is the case with “The Hanging Tree” from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1. While the film score and orchestration are by prolific composer James Newton Howard, the song was actually composed by Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz from The Lumineers (lyrics by Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins) and sung in the halting, plaintive voice of Katniss / Jennifer Lawrence. It became a top 20 hit in the U.S., reaching number 1 in several countries—unimaginable without its starring role in the film. And then came the “Rebel Remix” to kick sales and airplay up even further. If I must die today, let it be Katniss’ arrow that pierces my heart! (Sorry…I don’t know what that was.)
And finally, the “indie” film and accompanying soundtrack, taken to a grand place—Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, and its Oscar-winning score by composer Alexandre Desplat. This extraordinary music doesn’t seem to have climbed atop any charts on its own—yet its wit and quirky complexities fit the fading grandeur and intricate capers of Anderson’s period piece like a bellman’s velvet glove. When you see and HEAR the movie, sight and sound are miraculously of a piece. Where else can you hear zithers, balalaikas, cimbaloms and alphorns with your medium popcorn extra butter? Not in the new Minions, promise you that!
(Oops, someone just pointed out to me that the Minions soundtrack features “Ride Of The Valkyries” performed by Marian Pivka & The Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Damn! Do I smell blockbuster or is it the popcorn again?)
