Bad Movies with Brilliant Scores

The Matrix sequels maybe?

Although I liked Reloaded and some parts of Revolutions.

I consider Tron: Legacy to be mediocre, except it's soundtrack, which I liked a lot for the most part.

I cannot believe nobody has mentioned the Conan film series with Basil Poledouris. Sure, they aren't bad, but they do seem to fall into the Ahnold singularity, in the sense that one can only appreciate them if one appreciates Ahnold. "Anvil of Crom" is one of the best tunes of all time. Just about anything by Poledouris; he was in some great films, but he was also in some utter turkeys. Of course, if you want to see Poledouris at his best, in a good movie, witness the awesomeness that is his Hymn of the Red October.

The shuddering clanger that was the Eragon movie had a great theme; the Problem With Licensed Games-epitomizing videogame adaptation had an even better one.

I wouldn't say Tron: Legacy is down right bad movie. I actually prefer it to the first movie. That being said, I think the soundtrack is way better than the movie itself.

Rankin/Bass Wind in the Willows is an other flawed movie with some really good music. Toad's theme is performed way too often but the theme song of the movie, by Judy Collins is really great.

Legacy was alright. I thought I'd hate it as much as Avatar, but it turned out to have cooler designs and a lack of anvilicious message shoved down your throat the whole movie. That doesn't excuse its many plot holes, though (thanks for switching sides all of a sudden for no reason, Tron!)

Avatar was pretty good in that department,even if you could cherry-pick stuff out from The Land Before Time with a good enough ear

Browsing the Awesome Music page for Hans Zimmer, and I found this from the execrable Lone Ranger remake.

Love it. Favourite part begins at around 4 minutes in.

edited 25th Jun '14 4:24:00 PM by Achaemenid

My favorite piece from the Lone Ranger soundtrack is this. Very calming.

I thought this was about bad movies that had good reviews, that is, high scores from critics :/

I enjoyed the Bayformers movies. I do know that many did not. But I challenge the many who did not to point out a single thing wrong with the "Arrival On Earth" piece, as well as the scene it is set to.

The fat kid running with his camera and saying "this is way cooler than Armageddon" is the worst kind of false-modesty and narm.

But yes, the score by Steve Jablonsky is one of the few aspects of the Bayformers movies that is excellent.

edited 26th Jun '14 3:21:57 PM by Achaemenid

Elia Cmiral's score for Battlefield Earth was pretty awesome, especially since it came from the new millenium's answer to Plan 9. The other tracks that I recommend but could t find on You Tube are "The Cavalry," "Air Battle," "Trench Attack," "We've Won," and the end credits.

edited 31st Jul '14 7:06:54 PM by HudsonHawk

No, The Room is this century's Plan 9,...I agree otherwise.

Speaking of which The Room has a decent score,if repetitive.

Isn't this just a dressed-up complaints thread?

No, because the focus is on praising the scores, not bashing the movies.

1492: Conquest Of Paradise, which is mostly forgotten nowadays except for the iconic Vangelis theme.

edited 1st Aug '14 8:18:27 AM by BokhuraBurnes

The Last Airbender for the song "The Avatar Has Returned", among others

Don't kill me, by I do genuinely enjoy the soundtrack for Queen of the Damned. All of this nu metal and Evanescence goth rock was my gateway drug to heavier stuff in high school so it still holds a special place in my heart.

edited 1st Aug '14 9:02:09 AM by Sisi

I definitely agree. The bit with the fiddles on the beach is just spectacular.

Only God Forgives. Great score that belonged in a much better film.

edited 1st Aug '14 9:56:49 AM by Cyran

Stewart Copeland's score for the Highlander 2 is great.

Speaking of that, I feel like I'm committing blasphemy by saying that Highlander, objectively, certainly isn't a GREAT film by any stretch, but Michael Kamen was probably as instrumental in making it a cult classic as Queen and Sean Connery were.

The most obvious answer is Cutthroat Island...while I don't think that the movie is quite as bad as people say, the highlight is definitely the score, and I think the musician is the only one who actually profiteered from being involved in the project, considering that the soundtrack was quite successful.

Also Pocahontas...the only things the movie has going for it is the score and the outstanding animation, but both of it are so good that many people overlook the mediocre story.

edited 7th Sep '14 8:28:06 AM by Swanpride

I thought Divergent was mildly entertaining at best. The score, on the other hand...

Almost 10 years since this was last posted in, huh? Well, I think this one is quintessential. John Parr's "St. Elmo's Fire". Godawful movie with a phenomenal theme tune.

Try watching St Elmo's Fire with a lagging wifi if you want to know what pain feels like.

Edited by DoctorSleep on Aug 23rd 2023 at 6:38:08 AM