#111: Ten(ish) Magical Music Moments from Movies

Featuring Waking Ned Devine, How to Train Your Dragon, and Far & Away

Happy Friday!

I love movies. Have I said that already? Maybe I’ve mentioned it before.

However, movies would feel a lot different without music. A good piece of music elevates a scene and enhances the desired emotions. For me, the music acts like the second sensory key to unlock my feelings and lock the scene away in my memory.

It’s movie award season and to celebrate the love of movies, I made a list of scenes that I find unforgettable thanks to the accompanying music.¹

Docking from Interstellar (2014), music by Hans Zimmer

Definitely don’t watch this scene if you haven’t seen the movie! Such a fun twist (pun intended) on the “docking in space” trope and the music kicks it up several notches.

Bike Chase from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), music by John Williams

I didn’t realize how much nostalgia I had for this movie until I watched it again recently with my kids. The entire movie holds up, especially this classic scene.

Motor Bike Chase from Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), music by Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL

Everything works in this scene and I think it’s one of the best action scenes in one of the best action movies ever made. The music creates a feeling of urgency and building tension while also highlighting the mastery of the characters and their ability to survive such insanity.

Breaking the Fellowship from The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), music by Howard Shore

I’ll save other LOTR moments for future music posts, but this one always stands out. Aragorn proves he’s the man, Pip and Merry sacrifice their safety, Legolas and Gimli cut loose, and Boromir’s redemption all happening at once. It is masterful and the music touches on each character moment without overdoing it.

Bruce Wayne Entering the Batcave from Batman Begins (2005), music by James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer

I love how the music builds in this scene. The score of Howard and Zimmer does heavy lifting across the trilogy, but this first movie set the right tone for the rest.

Naked Motorcycle Ride & The Parting Glass from Waking Ned Devine (1998), music by Shaun Davey

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, which means it is almost time for the annual rewatch of Waking Ned Devine. Grab your fiddles and your pints and raise a glass to this gem of a film.

What’s Up Danger from Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse (2018), song by Blackway and Black Caviar

Not much need be said about this climactic moment. It would be a crime against cinema to exclude it.

Astrid Goes for a Spin, Romantic Flight, & Test Drive from How to Train Your Dragon (2010), music by John Powell

This entire album is perfect. Choosing one track felt like choosing which child I love more. These scenes are the most goosebump-inducing, funny, and character driven of the entire trilogy. I said it. No other moments come close.

The Beach from About Time (2013), music by Nick Laird-Clowes

This movie. I thought I was watching a romantic comedy and then it blindsided me with this father-son moment and made me a blubbering mess. This scene can be appreciated out of context, but it would be better to watch the entire movie. When I hear this track, I feel the need to go hug my dad and to hold my kids close and cherish every moment.

The Land Race from Far and Away (1992), music by John Williams

This is the scene that inspired this entire post. It is one of my favorite moments from one of my favorite movies of all time. The stars do much of their own riding and, in true Cruise fashion, he uses a manic riding style to sell his character. The shot of his horse passing all the others followed by the slow motion close up and impassioned “YAH!” gives me a thrill every time (timestamp 2:12 to 2:42).

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I know I left out other incredible moments which means I’ll have to do more like this someday.

What are your favorites music moments from movies?

Thanks for spending some time with me today, I really appreciate it!

Kyle

1. I intentionally did not include music from musicals which means no Disney, RRR, Hamilton, etc. :( Perhaps I’ll feature those favorites in another post. I also left out montages (sorry Rocky) which could make for a fun separate post as well.