5. Finding Nemo
Never in my life have I seen a movie where the music is as easy to visualize as Finding Nemo. Composed by Thomas Newman, this is a collection of smaller motifs rather than full-length songs, with each motif being a particular scene in the movie. This soundtrack is a varied mix of styles, but all being edited to fit the ocean theme. The unique instrumentation serves the soundtrack well in the same regard, especially with the individual characters. The turtles, who are surfer-based, get a surfer theme that is care-free and fun in the end of "The Turtle Lope". Gill, who is the most mysterious character, gets his own angst-filled theme played on flute in "Gill". Bruce and the other sharks receive a perilous, dissonant theme that references Jaws heard in both "Why Trust a Shark" and "Friends Not Food". Dory's theme, heard in "Short-Term Dory", is flighty and whimsical, like there is no real focus in mind, which is perfect for the amnesic fish's unfocused and light-hearted personality. The best piece on the soundtrack is probably "Main Title: Nemo Egg" (to the right), and is a short, soft, gentle theme well-used to show the heart of the film and the tenderness of Nemo and Marlin's relationship.
Video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYuXG0C2tsk
4. Wall-E
Another soundtrack composed by Thomas Newman, and formatted the same as Finding Nemo's soundtrack, Wall-E's soundtrack is extremely eccentric and odd, yet charming and likable. It is very robotic sounding, with lots of odd sound effects thrown in, abnormal instrumentation (the use of electronic or synthesized sounds), and syncopated rhythms. I know I said instrumental only, but the use of Hello Dolly's songs is perfect for the movie. Wall-E is a very lonely character who is intrigued by humans, so using Hello Dolly was a great fit. This soundtrack also includes a separate theme for different aspects of the movie, like Earth gets a theme in "2815 A.D.", where the mysterious and apprehensive style fits the contaminated and abandoned waste heap that Earth has become perfectly. Wall-E himself gets a quirky and upbeat theme, in "Wall-E" that highlights his curious nature but also, through its repetitiveness and longing nature, shows that there is something missing from his life- that he is lonely. Eve has a beautiful and flowing theme, portrayed in "Eve" that suits her sleek, futuristic design and helps illustrate Wall-E's love for her. "The Axiom" and "72 Degrees and Sunny" are also used as themes, for space and the human race respectively. The first references old science fiction movies and is bold and beautiful, perfect for space. The latter is very repetitive, dissonant, and robotic, which fits the human race as they are now stuck in repetitive daily lifestyles, completely dependent on robots. The best song on Wall-E is "Define Dancing" (to the left), which, using Eve's theme, paints a lovely dance between Wall-E and Eve in outer space using unique instrumentation and syncopated rhythms.
Video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-7LIojfezw
3. Inside Out
Composed by Michael Giacchno, this is the most atypical soundtrack I have heard to date, but that is due to how imaginative, emotional, frivolous, and atmospheric it is. Tracks like "Rainbow Flyer", "Joy Turns to Sadness/A Growing Personality", and "Tears of Joy" highlight this movie's intense emotional shifts (it is a movie about emotions, after all) and plays them to its advantage, switching from joy to sadness in mere seconds. Other songs show off how imaginative the film is, mainly "Abstract Thought", which is a conglomeration of interesting snippets, like a blaring saxophone and random woodwind runs in a very dissonant but compelling movement. The atmospheric quality that the mind is usually associated with is also present, in songs like "Memory Lanes", "Free Skating", and "Bundle of Joy", which serves as the main theme in the movie. The childish and frivolous nature is heard in "Chasing the Pink Elephant" and "Imagination Land", serving as the imaginary friend Bing Bong's theme. This light-hearted and slightly goofy theme is perfect for him. There are compelling, high-stakes action pieces, like "Chasing Down Sadness" and "We Can Still Stop Her", both of which are some of the best on the soundtrack. Finally, there are upbeat jazzy moments, like "The Forgetters". The best song on the soundtrack is "The Joy of Credits"(to the right) because it is a combination of many of these styles and the main themes, and when you listen to the end, there is a funny throwback to the movie.
Video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWc0ARORxbU
2. Up
This amazing soundtrack composed by Michael Giacchino has won many awards, and in my opinion they are well-deserved. There is a simplicity to this soundtrack that makes it irresistible and memorable. It feels like an old-fashioned movie with its muted trumpet and light feel, which is easily heard in "Up With Titles", giving it an instant classic nostalgia-feeling. There are also powerful and dangerous action numbers like "Escape From Muntz Mountain", "Seizing the Spirit of Adventure", and "52 Chachki Pickup", and foreboding, building songs such as "Canine Conundrum" and "The Explorer Motel". But the best parts of this soundtrack are the ones that give you the feeling of adventure and youth, that you can accomplish anything, like "Carl Goes Up", "Paradise Found", and "Memories Can Weigh You Down". There is just a happy, optimistic feel to them that makes you feel like a kid again. This movie also is infamous for its sad and emotional moments, which are aided to be so by "Stuff We Did" and "The Ellie Badge". The best song in this movie is "Married Life" (to the right), which combines the light-hearted, nostalgia with the emotional depth to produce an elegant and unforgettable waltz that captures the essence of the movie.
Video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjAWAUc_33k
1. How to Train Your Dragon 1&2
Yes, I know these are two movies, but they are both equally amazing. Composed by John Powell, both of these scores are phenomenal, Celtic-sounding masterpieces, with not a single track out of place or lacking, although there are some that stick out as better on both albums. These particular numbers on the first score include "This is Berk", a stately, bold movement that sets the stage for the first movie. Another track, "Romantic Flight", is a gorgeous piece of music with a beautiful melody, dramatic builds, and a sense of wonder that only fine music can capture. "Test Drive" and "Coming Back Around" fully flesh out the flying theme in epic orchestrations that capture the essence of what it would be to be like to soar above the clouds. The best piece would without a doubt be "Forbidden Friendship" (soundtrack to the left), which is a calming variation to the main melody played with a bell choir that builds to a stunning climax that is just indescribably perfect.
The superior tracks on the second soundtrack include "Dragon Racing", which, as the first song on the album, is expertly crafted as a medley of sorts, with all of the themes from the first movie being referenced to and woven together into one piece of music. "Toothless Found" is a climatic piece that spends the entire first half of itself building to a grand finale that is then followed by a kick-butt action sequence, then drops out on a cliffhanger to prepare the audience for the next piece. Both "Stoick Saves Hiccup" and "Stoick's Ship" are heart wrenching and mournful, but are still intensely emotional and beautiful. Finally, to conclude, "Flying With Mother" (soundtrack to the right), my personal favorite from the second soundtrack, is elegant and animated; bursting with joy and energy, and is orchestrated perfectly- it is absolutely impeccable.
videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6fX4wWR58Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asjzZ0-Zk8Y
Honorable mentions:
The IncrediblesComposed by Michael Giacchino. this soundtrack is one of the most recognizable in all of animation. With a roaring and boisterous main theme, this big-band copycat soundtrack really packs a punch. Unfortunately, the lack of emotional or mournful pieces brings it down, although that can mostly be attributed to the genre of the movie. But where this soundtrack lacks in sad songs it makes up for in jazzy and energetic action pieces. The best number is easily "The Incredits" (to the right), which is basically the main theme, only extended. It is also the credits song, and Giacchino, recognizing this, wrote the music that really allows the band to shine.
Video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNJQjwVgnrQ
Kung Fu Panda 2
John Powell and Hans Zimmer worked together to compose the soundtracks for both Kung Fu Panda movies, but the sequel sticks out as superior to the original. This sequel takes what was just good moments from the first soundtrack and weaves them into full-out orchestrations, expanding on the first and creating a masterpiece. Where this soundtrack really succeeds is in the Asian-inspired instrumentation partnered with the epic orchestral motifs, creating an unique sound that is rarely heard yet effective. The action pieces like "Zen Ball Master" are also notable. Unfortunately, not all of the soundtracks are like this and it does fall flat at some points, but the points that are good are really good. The best track, "Po Finds the Truth"(to the left) is an emotional roller coaster that goes from victorious highs to mournful lows, but never lets its audience go. Just a warning, turn down before 0:58.
video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3EKVxYtpk#t=219
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