Movies - Best Epic Score/music

[Wolverini]

So, the subject says all!

What kind of music during a movie really got you on the edge of your seat? Which part really grabbed you by the balls and NEVER let go? Which part really hit you emotionally? Discuss it! Couldn't find a different board to discuss this. Post away guys and girls

For me, that moment had to be in Gladiator!
"On my signal ... unleash Hell!"

 

[Steve Rogers]

Scores are cool for some stuff, but I kinda prefer the Scorsesse approach. I like it better when films use popular songs instead of a score to enhance a scene.

 

[Space Moose]

RoboCop musical score. Basil Poledouris = Genius. RIP.

 

[Steve Rogers]

Although, Bernard Hermann's work is awesome.

 

[Secret_Riddle]

Honestly..i dont think much stands up to Howard Shores Lord of the Rings scores..pick any moment out of those movies..it's all fantastic.

 

[Trevor Goodchild]

Scores are cool for some stuff, but I kinda prefer the Scorsesse approach. I like it better when films use popular songs instead of a score to enhance a scene.

But don't you think a movie should have its own 'voice' in terms of music, not a barrowed one?

Risking sounding like a broken record, besides the following four being my most favorite movies of all time, their scores are godlike:
The Fountain; Ghost in the Shell; Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and 25ht Hour;
Besides those I also enjoyed the music from:
The Prestige; A Scanner Darkly; Unbreakable; Thank you for Smoking; Pi; LotR trilogy; Sin City; 28 Days Later; Kill Bill and X2;

 

[Space Moose]

Honestly..i dont think much stands up to Howard Shores Lord of the Rings scores..pick any moment out of those movies..it's all fantastic.

I like all of Howard Shores work EXCEPT Lord of the Rings. He is know for his unique scores he composes that blend with the movies themes, but his LotR score sounds to generic.

 

[Steve Rogers]

But don't you think a movie should have its own 'voice' in terms of music, not a barrowed one?

Risking sounding like a broken record, besides the following four being my most favorite movies of all time, their scores are godlike:
The Fountain; Ghost in the Shell; Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and 25ht Hour;
Besides those I also enjoyed the music from:
The Prestige; A Scanner Darkly; Unbreakable; Thank you for Smoking; Pi; LotR trilogy; Sin City; 28 Days Later; Kill Bill and X2;

First of all, hardly any of Kill Bill was an original score.
Second, I don't see how using pre-existing music doesn't allow a movie to have its own voice musically. Take any Tarantino movie for example. He uses music to offset the violence. The catchy surf theme "Commanche" has forever been changed due to its use in Pulp Fiction. To use an over the top dramatic score can sometimes cheapen a scene in my opinion. Some scores subconciously tell us what emotion to feel. I hate that.

 

[Trevor Goodchild]

First of all, hardly any of Kill Bill was an original score.

I didn't list it to defent my point.

Second, I don't see how using pre-existing music doesn't allow a movie to have its own voice musically. Take any Tarantino movie for example. He uses music to offset the violence. The catchy surf theme "Commanche" has forever been changed due to its use in Pulp Fiction.

Well, it gives a film its own style, I'll give you that.

To use an over the top dramatic score can sometimes cheapen a scene in my opinion. Some scores subconciously tell us what emotion to feel. I hate that.

Too bad you think so. The films I listed in particular don’t have over the top scores in my opinion and a movie is just as emotional as the viewer allows himself to be drawn into it. Of course it’s fun when a modern film has contemporary music in it. I’m all for it. But to sell a more serious tone and scale of the film it has to have its own unique sound. I wouldn’t put Mozart or Beethoven into LotR.

 

[Bat Attack]

Superman: The Movie - John Williams
Batman- Danny Elfman
Jurassic Park - ^
To Kill a Mockingbird (specifically the main theme)

 

[Wolverini]

John Williams is a damn legend. He creates good scores. I loved his work on Star Wars.

 

[matrix_ghost]

LOTR :
FOTR - the bridge of khazad-dum
TTT-The Two Towers-Foundations of Stone
ROTK - The Fields Of Pelennor

Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix :
Flight Of The Order Of The Phoenix

POTC 2 :
hello_beastie

Superman Returns :
Main Title

Terminator 2 :
Terminator Revives
Trust Me

Day After Tomorrow :
day after tomorrow ( first song , plays over the opening credits)

Transformers :
Skorponok


Edit
Collateral :
Briefcase
Island Limos
Max Steals Briefcase
Rollin' Crumblin
Shadow on the Sun


300 :
Returns A King
The Hot Gates
Fever Dream

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

Jurassic Park's score IS the best IMO

John Williams. LOL

 

[Steve Rogers]

Jurassic Park's score IS the best IMO

Elfman owns all...

Interesting, considering Elfman had nothing to do with Jurassic Park's score...

 

[Bill]

Jurassic Park's score IS the best IMO

Elfman owns all...

That's John Williams. Elfman has a very distinct style.

I like James Horner's score from Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan as far as being epic in scope and fitting the movie. I also like pieces of Howard Shores score of LOTR and Hans Zimmer's and James Newton Howard's Batman Begins and Himmer's Gladiator score. Klaus Badelt's Pirate's score has some great moments as well.

 

[Warhammer]

Haha, Jurassic Park is all John Williams, GGVS.

 

[Warhammer]

For me, it has to be John Williams' "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.
As if the Qui-Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Maul lightsaber duel wasn't cool enough, this piece of score elevated it to new heights.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

I love Elfman's score for Spider-Man, especially the theme. In SM-2 when he's up on the roof, about to jump to try and get his powers back and it starts playing...classic scene. I'd say it rivals his work on Batman for best superhero theme ever.

 

[strikezone89]

elfman for batman 89

 

[D4rkShaDoWz]

300 - great choir music

Spidey Series - music with fun and great themes

Transformers - choiry, intense and well produced music

these are really the best for me, IMO

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

Haha, Jurassic Park is all John Williams, GGVS.

LOL I got owned

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

Although John Williams didn't actual score Superman 2, I get goosebumps every time when Clark after getting beaten returns to the Fortress and discovers the green cystal.

 

[Shifty]

I'll say one that hasn't been mentioned:

James Horner's score from Enemy at the Gates; the encounters of Vassili Zaisev and Major König.

 

[Spider-Vader]

WHY hasn't anyone listed Empire Strikes Back yet? The Imperial March (Vader's theme), Han/Leia theme, Yoda theme, Asteroid Chase song Cloud City theme anyone?
One of the reasons the movie's so damn good.
Raiders is a close second.

 

[Addendum]

Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris.