Best Underrated Scores

[syxxpac]

Okay, so we've had numerous topics in the past asking us to list what we think the best scores ever are, but I think we should shine the spotlight on those scores that may not be considered "classics" by the majority of film fans, but should get some recognition.

Here are several off the top of my head that kick boatloads of ass and are rarely applauded (at least from what I've noticed)...

1) Pitch Black -> The "Desert Journey" track is especially good. There's that distinct theme that I can't describe here, but if you watch either PB or Chronicles Of Riddick you'll know what I'm talking about.

2) The Serpent & The Rainbow -> It's essentially Fiedel's Terminator score with a tropical flavor. Can't go wrong.

3) El Mariachi -> I love the music during the credits. It's somber, moody and 100% badass considering the scene that preceded it.

4) Memento -> Conveys a lot of sadness that the images alone may not have been able to do without it. It's really effective.

[bluesbrother965]

The Conversation. The entire soundtrack is just this one chilling piano song, but it suits the movie perfectly and never gets old or repetetive.

[Ted Pikul]

Anything by Jerry Goldsmith.

Worked on a lot of crappy movies but they almost always had good scores.

[The Lolo]

Now that you mention it, Memento did have a pretty good score...

[Gian-Sergio]

Once Upon A Time In The West

[zeppelin]

Originally posted by Gian-Sergio
Once Upon A Time In The West

Though that is my second-favorite movie score of all-time, I really don't think it could be called "underrated," since pretty much everyone who's seen the movie loves it. Ennio Morriconne is way too well-loved to be called underrated.

A score I love that doesn't get talked about a lot is the score for Fargo.

[Tony_Montana]

I love the "Axel F" tune in Beverly Hills Cop.

Also Desperado (an underrated movie anyway) has an awesome soundtrack.

[Badbird]

I think a lot of scores are underrated simply because they're overlooked.

I've been playing The Phantom (Goldsmith) at work this past week, and that one really has a great score to it. It's got a strong theme and it's got that perfect balance of suble music along with action packed romps.

Also by Jerry Goldsmith is The Secret of Nimh. Everyone always points to Star Trek as his best work, but I think it's Nimh, simply because no one had written music for animation like he did for that movie. Epic and beautiful at the same time.

Hans Zimmer's King Arthur score has gone completely unnoticed and I think it's some of his best work, as well as his dark, brooding score to Hannibal. The Peacemaker is also one of my all time favs.

Alan Silvestri's Predator 2 - possibly the best score ever? Certainly the best End Titles track ever, that's for sure.

[jean_luc_cinema]

the Theme from the Sting.

[Could Be Worse]

I thought the theme to Carrie was very well done and dramatic.

[Badbird]

Correction: The Phantom was by Davin Newman. I was thinking of The Shadow, which was Jerry Goldsmith. Bot are good scores.