Footloose

Music can make or break a movie. One movie that is made by its soundtrack is Footloose. The original Footloose came out in 1984. It was a smash hit that people still love to this day. A large number of people were upset that they were even remaking such a classic. While I’ll admit that I was originally one of those people, the 2011 version changed my mind. I still believe that the original is an all-around better movie, but the music in the remake really enhances the whole movie experience. Everyone knows the classic “Footloose” song, but I’m going to tell you about how the other songs in the movie contribute to the film.

The remake kept a few of the popular songs from the original like “Footloose” and the love song “Almost Paradise”, but they also added a few more contemporary songs that enrich the film. One of the most prominent new songs in my mind, is the song “Fake I.D.” by Big & Rich featuring Gretchen Wilson. Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson are well known country artists. Using them to perform this song in the scene adds credibility to the scene and therefore adds credibility to the movie. The scene that this song is playing during is when the two main characters, Ren and Ariel, and their two best friends, Rusty and Willard, sneak out to go dancing. Dancing has been outlawed in their little town, so they go into a big city nearby to have a little bit of dancing fun. The characters are finally breaking free of the chains that their town has put on them, even if it is only for a few hours. The lyrics combined with the upbeat country music gives the audience a feeling of triumph and fun because these kids are finally getting to do what they love. Some of the lyrics that really connect to the storyline include: “Just make sure that it looks like me. So the bouncer don't call the police. And don't tell my daddy. Stole the keys to his caddy. Don't dilly dally. I gotta get the hell out of this alley. Hey mister won't you sell me a fake ID.” The lyrics are playing to the fact that none of the four kids are actually 21, but they happened to get into this bar somehow. It is also talking about not telling someone’s father what they’re up to, which is referencing the fact that Ariel’s father is the Reverend of the town and a top supporter of the no dancing law. He is extremely strict with her, and she is constantly pushing her limits in an attempt to defy him. In Louis Giannetti’s, Understanding Movies, it states, “Characterization can be suggested through musical motifs” which is exactly what this song is doing for Ariel’s character (216). She is a rebel child, always challenging her parent’s authority, which is precisely the type of girl that “Fake I.D.” is describing. The lyrics fit directly into the storyline, while still managing to bring an element of prohibited fun into the scene. It seems to be saying that sometimes breaking the laws to follow what you love is acceptable in certain situations. Sometimes a little teenage defiance is good for the soul. That is in itself the premise of the movie.

In another instance, the director and composers kept some of the original songs, but changed them. One example would be “Holding Out for a Hero”. Originally it is an extremely fast paced rock song, but they turned it into a slow love song. It plays during a scene where Ariel is pressured by her boyfriend to do something that she isn’t ready for. While that is happening, the scene cuts to Ren who is unpacking his things and fixing up his car. Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz say in Everything’s an Argument that, “If you strike the right emotional note, you’ll establish an important connection” (44).  The effect that the song has on the audience is one of sadness yet hope at the same time. It makes the audience feel for the situation that Ariel is in, but hope that she will eventually be saved from this horrible relationship that she is in. When you listen to the lyrics, it is foreshadowing that Ren is going to be Ariel’s hero in the end.

The soundtrack for the 2011 version of Footloose has songs that make people want to get up out of their seats and dance, songs that make people want to cry for the characters, and classic songs that just had to be included in the remake. I may still believe that classics are better than remakes as a whole, but this soundtrack definitely put me on the path toward believing that remakes can be just as good.

Rating:

Inception

Music plays a huge role in movies. If you’ve ever watched a movie on mute this is very evident. Try watching a scary movie without that signature horror movie song and it’s suddenly not very scary anymore. Songs have the power to evoke every kind of emotion possible. Composers and movie directors take full advantage of this fact when deciding what music to put with the movie. One such movie with a very powerful soundtrack is Inception. Inception is a drama/thriller/suspense genre and the music in the movie plays a big role in evoking that feeling of suspense. Music plays a huge role in affecting the pathos of the audience. In Everything’s an Argument by Andrea Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz, they make a great statement about how certain things can affect our emotions. They state, “you already know that words, images, and sounds can arouse emotions…the stirrings they generate are often physical. You’ve likely had the clichéd, ‘chill down the spine’ or felt something in the ‘pit of your stomach’ when a speaker hits precisely the right note” (Lunsford/ Ruszkiewicz 40). I think this is a very accurate statement and the same thing can be said for when a song hits just the right note. Much of the music in this movie is fast-paced to make the audience have that feeling of anticipation. It’s honestly a little exhausting to be constantly on edge like that for 2 hours. Even during simple dialogue scenes you can hear that subtle, fast-paced music that makes you think something could happen at any minute. If that’s what they were going for then it is very effective, but personally I think they could have slowed down the music in some parts of the movie. However, the music does a very nice job of creating a tone or mood in two scenes in particular. The scene I’m referring to is the climax (one of them) of the movie when the extractors finally accomplish their job of inception; planting an idea into the mind of the dreamer. There’s a moment during this scene when you don’t know if the character is going to have enough time to accomplish what he needs to and as this is happening the music is building in volume and pace to set this tone of anticipation and anxiousness.  It’s very effective because even though I have seen this movie countless times, I still always hold my breath in hopes they’ll accomplish their goal. The second scene/song that I think does a terrific job with affecting the emotions of the audience is the last scene of the movie. In Understanding Movies by Louis Giannetti, he makes a comment about the last scene of a movie that I think really applies to Inception. He says “the final scene from a movie is often the most important. Because of its privileged position, it can represent the filmmaker’s summing up of the significance of the previous scenes” (Giannetti, 211). This is so true of Inception. The whole movie Leo DiCaprio is trying to find a way to return home to his children while struggling with what’s reality and what’s a dream. The person who needs him to perform this last job of inception has promised to get him home if he can complete the mission. The last scene shows DiCaprio arriving home in the United States and then returning home finally. The music in the background is very dramatic and triumphant. But at the same time, it has sad or eerie undertones that make it hard to relax. The music continues building suspense which makes the audience wonder what could possibly happen next. When DiCaprio returns home, he has to spin his top that confirms to him he’s back to reality and not still in the dream world. While the top is still spinning he sees his children and is so overcome by joy and relief that he doesn’t wait to see if it topples or keeps going. At this point, the music slows down a bit so all you can hear is the sad undertones as opposed to the louder triumphant sounds. The top starts to slow down but then cuts to black so the audience is left not knowing if he’s back or not. The music at the same time just leaves us hanging. When listening to it you can tell there should be one more note, but it just ends.  

I think this soundtrack is great in certain parts, but certain parts is a little overkill.

rating: 3  1/2 

Failure to Launch

Not only does film music cue the beginning and end of a movie with a musical phrase, but it helps portray the plot, mood, setting, and characters. Wagner introduced the idea of total artwork. He combined the visual arts of props and costume with music, singing, and dancing; unifying these with drama. Critically acclaimed film maker, Akira Kurosawa, proclaims that "cinematic sound... Does not simply add to, but multiplies, two or three times, the effect of the image" (p. 201, 1). In the movie, Failure to Launch, Director Tom Dey uses underscore or undiegetic music to accompany the majority of the scenes.

One scene in particular caught my attention. It is at the center of this movie is when Trip (Matthew McConaughey) realizes that Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) has been paid by his own parents to date him in the hopes he will move out of their home and into one of his own. Since the movie, in general, is light-hearted and funny, this scene causes a shift in the mood. The song that begins to play in the background is "Forget My Heart" by Simon Steadman. The line that caught my attention is "I don't know, where to go, nothing is clear to me, how could I be so blind, I'm done with wasting my time." I think this is an appropriate song for the feelings portrayed on screen. The relationship between Trip and Paula which began as a simple business deal, however, turns into a steamy connection. Neither Trip nor Paula know what their next step will be. The plot is at a climax and both characters are feeling mixed emotions. In the book, “Everythings an Argument,” Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz say, “When writers and speakers find the words and images that evoke certain emotions in people, they might also move their audience to sympathize with ideas that they connect to those feelings and even act on them” (p.41, 1). The sound of the rain in the scene is also a great enhancement to the atmosphere. Rain is associated with gloominess. This is a sad time for Trip because he feels that the most important people in his life have betrayed him.

"Whether it was a single note on the piano being played repeatedly or a set of strings giving off one continuous tone, Mansell did not mind having moments where it felt like the track is on repeat" (p. A22, 1). During this scene the chorus is playing several times; adding to Trip's feeling of "How could I be so blind." This expresses his inner feeling of embarrassment towards the entire set up.  The audience has a sense of sympathy for this grown man who is sitting outside with a little boy asking him for advice after everyone else he cares about seems to have turned on him. The rain and music together help move the plot along. The use of dissonant sounding instruments in this particular song helps the audience relate to the character's inner emotions of agony and anger. It also evokes emotions of pity in the audience. Therefore, film music in this case is for emotional appeal, or pathos.

A Walk to Remember

            A Walk to Remember quickly became one of my favorite movies due to its tragic love story.  However, while a movie can have an incredible plot, the music is what enhances the viewer’s emotions and envelops you.  A Walk to Remember is well known for its song “Only Hope.” It is sung during a musical that the main characters both perform in.  It is during this moment that Landon (main male role) realizes he loves Jamie (main female role). The song is about a woman explaining to the one she loves that he has changed her life.

This song is a crucial part to the movie because it explains the movie’s plot.  Jamie was a nerdy girl who always kept to herself.  Landon was the bad boy, who after getting into trouble, was forced to befriend Jamie.  This song is the summary of how Landon ends up changing Jamie’s life for the better before she passes away from cancer. Jamie also helps change Landon’s life by showing him the beauty of love. They were each other’s only hope. Clint Mansell states that he wanted the music to give off that basic feeling of what it is to be human. “Only Hope” does this by conneting the viewer to an emotion that everyone feels; love. The song advances the meaning of love in the movie.

It is after the performance that the plot begins to shift. At the beginning of the movie the viewer automatically does not like Landon. This song helps shift this opinion because the audience begins to see that he falling for Jamie.  It is not only the lyrics that help enhance this scene.  Gabriel Yared explains that, “When I write music for a film. I try to connect with its spirit rather than working shot, by shot.” The slow romantic rhythm to the song gives the viewer the idea that the song is about love.  So, although the song is supposed to be related to the musical that characters are performing in, it sums up the love story of the characters in “real life.” 

The song comes up again towards the end of the movie. Jamie has become ill and is going through chemo treatments.  While looking at the stars, the song begins quietly and he asks Jamie if she loves him and if she will do one thing for him. The music builds up as Landon asks Jamie to marry him.  The song truly enhances the moment by building up to the moment and the lyrics begin with, “I life my hands up and pray, to be only yours.” The lyrics directly coincide with the scene because Landon asked Jamie to be his. 

The song continues into their wedding scene and the ceremony is given while the instrumentals play in the background.  This one song creates the tone of the entire movie.  It enhances the crucial plot-changing moments of the story. It creates a romantic, loving emotion for the viewer. While the movie includes many other songs, this song was by far the most moving and emotional.  

 

A Knight's Tale

            As an audience member, I never noticed the impact of sound effects, music, and lyrics in movies. I have recently gained an appreciation for the intricate thought process and detail required for the compilation of a movie soundtrack, especially for A Knight’s Tale. The directors and composers subtly add sound to subconsciously make the audience feel something. In movies, sound has a purpose in a scene to draw emotion from the audience, set the tone or mood, or provide an argument.

            Often times, directors use music to summon an emotion in the audience, as seen in A Knight’s Tale. In Everything’s an Argument by Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, the authors discuss how humor puts the audience “at ease, thereby making them more open to a proposal” (48). After a brief introduction of the history of jousting and the foundation for the setting, the audience witnesses the peasant William, played by Heath Ledger, as he prepares to joust in the place of the late royal, followed by a musical scene with “We Will Rock You” by Queen. The director subtly promises the movie is a fun comedy and worth your time and money, as “We Will Rock You,” a well-known classic, instills excitement and happiness in the audience. Upon hearing the beat, you want to join in the fun, sing along, and celebrate with the characters in the movie. In addition to the use of humor, Louis Giannetti discusses in Understanding Movies that “sound effects can be primarily atmospheric,” as well as “precise sources of meaning in film” (208). When the audience hears “Taking Care of Business” by Randy Bachman as William defeats all his opponents in the compilation of events, the upbeat song draws the excitement and happiness from the audience. Witnessing the celebration on screen, supplemented by the upbeat song, urges the audience to join in the jubilee.

            Although songs create emotions in the audience, directors also use songs to set the tone and mood of a scene. Giannetti argued music at the beginning of a film serves “as a kind of overture to suggest the mood or spirit of the film as a whole” (214). The use of “We Will Rock You” sets a comedic expectation, as well as a tone and mood for laughter and excitement, as rock ‘n roll didn’t exist in medieval times. In addition, people use sound to persuade or develop the feeling of necessity to take action (Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz 42). “Taking Care of Business” adds a feeling of relationship, or identification, with the character and the need to get involved. The audience wants to celebrate William’s peasant triumph, or rather Sir Ulrich’s triumph (William’s name to disguise his identity), over royalty.

            Most importantly, music adds or creates an argument for a specific scene or for the entire movie. Giannetti discusses that in silent movies in the early 1900s, “the major source of meaning was dialogue” from the narration of the story on a microphone, and the same is true for lyrics in a song (202). The words “taking care of business” argue that the character is getting stuff done, winning, and taking care of his business. This song choice convinces the audience that William is taking care of business as flags are added for each strike in a sword fight, lances are broken in jousting, and forfeits in the sword ring. The argument is so convincing that if a random person walked into the theater during this scene and knew nothing about jousting, he/she would know William was winning, or at least doing well…taking care of business. The music and lyrics are equally important and perfect for “We Will Rock You” at the beginning of the film. The lyrics “mud/blood on your face, you big disgrace” conveys the severity and disgrace of a peasant impersonating a royal to joust and improve his social ranking instead of accepting his status with the “muddy” peasants. Not only do the lyrics fit the scene and meaning perfectly, lyrics “can be used as foreshadowing” (Giannetti 214). ***SPOILER ALERT*** Although the audience remains skeptical through William’s losses throughout the movie, “We Will Rock You” foreshadows his triumph over his nemesis! He “rocked” everyone, succeeded in improving his social status, and won glory, riches and pride…and the girl!

            In conclusion, I love the soundtrack. The music, lyrics, and instrumentals are perfectly placed and consistent throughout the entire movie. The two songs I analyzed were well placed and conveyed a convincing argument. Ultimately, the theme of incorporating modern music in a movie about the medieval sport of jousting was brilliant. Incorporating the classic, well known, rock ‘n roll songs with jousting makes this movie appealing and relatable to everyone.

Rating: 

TRON: Legacy

One might argue that audio is equally as important to movies as the images on the screen, and therefore soundtracks are often pivotal to the success of a film. Disney’s 2010 TRON: Legacy is unique in that its entire soundtrack was produced by French duo Daft Punk. I think this is extremely critical to this movie because it really sets up the entire frame of the movie. The Daft Punk music is very futuristic; its mainly electronic components give it an other-worldly feel which really plays into creating the world of The Grid.  Clu’s completely fabricated world is full of very advanced technology and robotic life forms and the techno music helps to create this different realm.

A pivotal scene in which Daft Punk’s music plays a key role is the club battle scene. At the beginning of the scene, a song is playing in the background but is overshadowed by the noise of the fighting. When Quorra comes to aid Sam, the same song continues to play but the music picks up and is more at the forefront, but when Clu arrives he places his hand on the ground and the music is completely silenced. The audio pauses for a few seconds, drawing the viewer’s attention directly to Clu, and then the music completely changes to a new song with a different tone. The intensity of the music heightens and has the same effect on the action of the scene. As Louis Giannetti states in Understanding Movies, “it’s the composers business to translate these dramatic needs into musical terms” and Daft Punk truly does their job in this scene (214). I feel that the music is very discriminately produced to progress the scene in this way and the importance of Clu’s arrival would not be nearly as recognizable without the severe change in music.

The one instance in the film in which the producers chose to incorporate music that wasn’t done by Daft Punk is in the scene in which Sam goes to the abandoned arcade and Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” starts to play in the background. I believe this song is used for two reasons: to date the arcade and to subliminally allude to the entering of another world. This song was released in 1983 and I think the producers chose to have it playing in the arcade to serve as a timeframe and to show how long it has been since the arcade has been abandoned. Also, it’s hard to miss that, although this song is singing about lost love, its “worlds apart” lyrics are referencing another world, maybe the cyber world that Sam is about to enter.  They took a risk in venturing away from Daft Punk and using a well-known, recognizable song, but it clearly served its purpose and the risk was worth the reward.

As Andrea Lunsford and John Ruszkiewicz state in Everything’s an Argument, music can have a very powerful effect on a film when it “hits precisely the right note” and Daft Punk’s compositions truly do an incredible number on this film (40). I believe the techno, electronic music has a hard time being soft and subtle, so the audio is somewhat lacking in adding to any tender or emotional scenes, but it does do an incredible job adding intensity and heightening suspense. It is finely tuned to each scene and takes the film to a whole new level; I am positive that if I tried to watch any of the battle or action scenes from the movie sans Daft Punk, they wouldn’t even compare. Am I a huge fan of Sci Fi Action Thrillers? No. Was TRON: Legacy my favorite movie? No. But do I think that the soundtrack served as an effective tool for the film? Absolutely. For this reason, I give the TRON: Legacy soundtrack a generous 4 popcorn bags.