Pirates of the Caribbean. The plot, characters, actors, and effects are fine enough. Specifically the plot is bland; it’s deliberately a hodgepodge of everything piratey tossed into a blender. Johnny Depp’s performance is excellent, but more because it feels the script was shaped around his eccentric dude persona rather than them stretching their skills. None of this makes the film bad just mediocre.
… but the score is a masterpiece. Instantly iconic, filled with layered motifs, carries the sense of adventure and perfectly shapes the mood of each scene. Both catchy enough to become an earworm, but orchestral and textured enough that it’s not unwelcome as one.
Yeah I have to agree, although I personally love the films as well.
Came here to say this as well. Movie is kinda meh but the soundtrack is so solid I even like the Coldplay song on there! (and imo Coldplay is WACK)
I enjoyed this movie at the time. Was I wrong?
No. I enjoyed it immensely. That’s just how good the soundtrack is; to be even better than that.
It’s not a terrible movie. I think the main complaint about it is the use of the manic pixie girl trope.
1492: Conquest of Paradise. Very few people remember the movie (I still do and rewatch it regularly), but the soundtrack by Vangelis is an absolute banger.
In general, his soundtracks tend to be better than the movies. Alexander is another great example. Chariots of Fire and Bounty are fine movies, but still greatly enhanced by his soundtracks. Perhaps the only movie that stood on its own against a soundtrack by Vangelis was Blade Runner.
Interstellar
LotR
Don’t get me wrong. The movies are great. But the soundtrack is even better.
You should listen to phil dragash read the books, you’d love it
Batman Forever and the X-Files Movie Soundtrack.
Love me some scores, but these were both rock solid soundtracks.
Star wars
The Crow
Annihilation.
It’s all ambient, but gives one heck of an ambiance. Especially near the end.
That King Arthur movie Guy Richie made is pretty bad, but the soundtrack is killer.
Peaky Blinders, for sure. That soundtrack, wow.
I love Monsoon Wedding, but the music is better than the movie in that one too.
ETA: My husband adds Saturday Night Fever.
And another edit, one of my kids would like to add Sucker Punch to this list.
Suckerpunch
JUDGMENT NIGHT! Metal and hip hop collabs
This 100%
I can only think of the following:
XXX: State of the Union, Stealth, Blade and Blade 2… and the first six Fast and the Furious movies.
Forrest Gump. The movie is exceptional. The soundtrack tho…
