


There’s something woven into John Williams scores, and Indiana Jones in particular, that signals greatness - it gets the listener, and the viewer, impossibly excited. Obviously, John Williams delivered with the iconic main themes for our beloved Indy, capturing the sense of adventure in old Westerns transposed into a (then) modern setting and global scale of storytelling.
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The truth is, a movie that features Harrison Ford in his prime deserves a truly stellar score. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Plus, if you say you’ve never hummed the theme from the climax chase scene while furiously pedaling your bike down a suburban street, you’re probably lying. Williams’ epic score elevates the stakes, infusing the film with a rich nostalgia that allows the viewer to reconnect with the innocence of youth. is pretty straightforward: boy meets alien, alien wants to go home, boy tries to send alien home. As was the case for the titular hero for so many years, there was something lurking on the horizon. It’s joyful, it’s nostalgic, and it’s grand, while also never quite letting the listener get settled. With a focus on bells and mysterious strings, the theme (which first appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) captures something absolutely critical - the feeling of magic. Williams, the first few notes of the Harry Potter main theme can only be described as transportive. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)Īs with most scores from Mr.

It’s honestly a surprise that “Prologue” doesn’t get sampled more by other composers, as it’s one of Williams’ great under-appreciated themes. So while Hook isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite Spielberg film, Williams delivered a surprising, stirring, and often joyful soundtrack to accompany adult Peter Pan’s (Robin Williams) return to Neverland. Williams has a knack for fairy tales, as they occupy a sweet spot between his talent for epic themes as well as his love of whimsey. Williams has never resisted the opportunity to tug on our heartstrings, and for a movie as raucous and fun as Home Alone, he manages to achieve something that’s both enjoyable and emotionally resonant. Filled with a childlike wonder and a comforting glow, Williams’ signature piece for the film “Somewhere In My Memory” is its cornerstone, and it feels ever richer and satisfying each time we return to it. The warm, soaring themes of John Williams’ Home Alone scores remind us all that there’s no place like home.
