![]() ![]() In Steve’s case, the potential for heroism was always there. In other films, a character’s theme often changes from gentle to strong after they gain their powers/strength, etc. Steve and Cap have the same heroic fanfare because Steve was heroic before his physical transformation. I feel like this mirrors the transformation of Steve Rogers into Captain America in a pretty unique way. At about the 20 second mark of the above linked track, the theme changes from triumphant brass and the atmospheric strings to a more purposeful march. As shining and glorious as Chris Evans’ chiseled features and as innocent and sincere as Steve Rogers, the Man Out of Time from a simpler era. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a magnificent, brassy, heroic fanfare. I’ve categorized some of my personal favorite heroic themes into: Individual Protagonists, Heroic Ensembles, and Place/Era.ģ.) Captain America – Alan Silvestri’s theme for Captain America is more than just a heroic fanfare of brass. Each theme suits the hero in question, and, I think, provides a good example of what it sounds like when the complexities involved in scoring a character appropriately are addressed. ![]() Superman’s theme, written by John Williams, sounds like fighting the good fight because it’s the right thing to do. Batman’s theme, as written by Danny Elfman, sounds like vigilante justice that will find you in the back alley, shake you down for information, and ask if you killed its parents. light thing going on with the two most popular DC characters, and that difference is evident in the choice of composers and tone of music chosen to represent each hero. Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings soundtracks make excellent use of this-his themes are as often assigned to places and objects as they are to individuals.Ī useful dichotomy to understand when thinking about heroic themes is the Batman/Superman dynamic. Often, a heroic theme is associated with a main protagonist, but just as as often, a heroic theme represents a group of people, a place, or even a particular iconic battle. What angsty teen who lost their hotness (pun intended) in a lava pit wouldn’t fantasize about being the biggest bad in the room? But enough of villains for now-even if Anakin’s status as a clear villain or hero is a bit murky. It sounds full of its own importance, which is exactly what led Anakin down the dark path he chose in the first place. Think about it-Darth Vader’s big, villainous Imperial March is actually perfect for a messed-up guy in a big suit, whose ego has been inflated to maniacal levels. A good hero theme (well, ANY good theme) actually uses the instruments, meter, and orchestration to mirror the character’s (or group or place’s) nature via music. What makes a hero theme? They’re not all triumphant, blaring horns. ![]() I mean, if you think the “hero/heroine/protagonist” of a given title is someone other than the main character-for example, if you are yourself of a villainous nature and consider Voldemort the misunderstood hero of the Harry Potter franchise, then… we might not agree on some things. Heroic themes-the subject can be a little bit (or a lot) subjective. This time, I’m getting a little more specific. I’ve written before about movie scores and how teenage me spent hours laying on the couch with my Walkman, zoning out to Star Wars and obsessing about the individual themes and how they all fit together. ![]()
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