Many aspects of a movie make it great, some more commonly recognized than others. Strong, talented actors, a dependable director, believable effects, and a quality script are all needed to make a successful film. However, another element makes a substantial difference and can go largely unrecognized by many. A distinctive and powerful score can make or break a movie, as it serves many important functions that significantly impact a film’s effectiveness.
When a fan thinks of a movie with a notable soundtrack, a couple of scores immediately come to mind. Films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Jaws, How to Train Your Dragon, Inception, Jurassic Park, Tron: Legacy, Star Wars, and Interstellar are examples of movies with standout scores that set them apart from other features. More recently, Oppenheimer, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also have compelling soundtracks.
The movies listed above have some great scores, but not all reach this level. One thing that makes a soundtrack prominent is a dynamic and memorable track that can be recognized even without the context of the film. This occurs with Will and Elizabeth’s theme in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, along with the song “Test Drive” from How to Train Your Dragon and “The Imperial March” from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. All these songs stand apart even from their movies and are well-known by viewers everywhere. Other elements that often aid the strength of a score are the use of orchestral instruments, consistent melodies and motifs, and proper tone matching. When a viewer’s attention moves from the visuals on the screen to the songs behind a film, it’s a clear sign that a soundtrack is unique.
But the question is, why are scores important? Some may argue that these films have strong soundtracks, but there’s more to a movie than just its music. While that statement is correct, a soundtrack still makes a considerable difference in how much of an impact a film has.
Music is essential when it comes to setting the tone of a movie. Different soundtracks can create distinct atmospheres—whether it’s epic, nostalgic, mysterious, or anything in between. For example, the theme of How to Train Your Dragon is rich and upbeat, with large swells that match the adventurous, inspirational content of the movie. The theme of Jaws uses an opposite technique, keeping its melody dark and foreboding, with an ever-quickening pace to signal that the infamous shark is approaching. Interstellar’s soundtrack uses a lilting, almost ethereal sound that matches the fantastical elements of this science-fiction film. Without the music in these movies, the tone and tension wouldn’t be appropriately set, leaving the film feeling flat or lacking.
Soundtracks can also better link the viewer with the characters in the film. Most of the time, each soundtrack has a main theme for the central character(s), creating continuity in the movie, and providing moviegoers with a subconscious recognition and connection to the main characters. A recent illustration of this can be found in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, where each of the major spider characters has a recurring theme. Gwen Stacy is set apart with a quick, light trill when she appears in the movie. Meanwhile, Miguel O’Hara’s signature score is defined by a powerful, synth sound.
Music heightens the emotions of a film as well. A romantic scene between two lovers becomes more touching with a soft, soulful melody behind the scenes. Similarly, an action sequence is more tense and engaging when paired with a fast-paced, fragmented sound underneath. This is clear with movies such as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise—if not for the upbeat, dramatic score accompanying the movie, the excitement, and playfulness wouldn’t be nearly as present for the fans watching.
Overall, film scores are an essential aspect of a movie and its success. There’s a reason why many of the movies mentioned are regarded as “epic” or “iconic”. While it can’t all be attributed to their music, the respective soundtracks played a large part in shaping how effective these films would be.
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