Film on Vinyl: Top Five Sci-fi Soundtracks

Welcome to another installment of Film on Vinyl, Joe Donohue’s column that celebrates the blending of his love for film and music by reviewing and dissecting movie soundtracks pressed on the oh-so-sweet vinyl record. Next up on the playlist: the Top Five Sci-fi Soundtracks.

(Played to the tune of "Favorite Things")

Xenomorphs on spaceships and shape-shifting aliens

Genetically mutated dinosaurs and the last known Jedis

DeLoreans flying all over time and space

These are a few of my favorite things.

Science-fiction is one of the most interesting genres in film and literature. It has allowed filmmakers and writers to look deep into the future and make predictions on the directions our world will take. While some of these theories may have a foundation in reality, most may take a turn towards the fantastical. That doesn’t make them any less fun. It’s true what they say: "Behind every good sci-fi film is an even better score.”

Jurassic Park

“Jurassic Park” is one of the greatest films ever made and, by far, one of my all-time favorite films. Steven Spielberg created something truly magical, and he made it almost seem possible that dinosaurs could really exist. A big part of the magic of this film lies directly in John Williams’ score. He perfectly constructed a score with depth and power that could have you teary-eyed one minute and shaking in your boots the next.

Alien

It’s true that no one in space can hear you scream. Ridley Scott created one of the most terrifying film sagas. He created a truly terrifying monster that still haunts our dreams to this day. What was so enthralling about this film was using more of a haunted-house motif. Viewers were given an extremely slow burn, which made scenes like the "chestburster" all the more frightening. Jerry Goldsmith is an amazing composer that doesn’t quite receive the same reception as John Williams.

Back to the Future

Everyone loves “Back to the Future.” How can you not love this film? Michael J. Fox was the golden boy of the '80s, and breathed life into one of cinema’s most beloved heroes. What I love so much about Alan Silvestri's score is that it’s fast-paced and light-hearted. Sure, there are some “darker” moments, but the films were about pure enjoyment, and that’s what came through in the score.

The Thing

All I need to say about this film is that John Carpenter meets Ennio Morricone. Everyone knows Carpenter is a talented composer as well as filmmaker, but he made the right decision to take a backseat to the likes of Morricone. This composing legend who pretty much ruled the world of Westerns absolutely nails the score to “The Thing.” The tracks are nerve-wracking, and help put viewers on the edge of their seats. Morricone and Carpenter completely knocked this bad boy out of the park.

Star Wars

Putting “Star Wars” on the list is an absolute no-brainer. Yet another John Williams score as iconic as the film itself. There’s no way there’s a person in the world who wouldn’t recognize the film’s main theme. What I also like so much about the saga is the time that Williams and company take to create a memorable theme for each of the main characters. While the prequel trilogy may be a bit of a black mark on the “Star Wars” saga, even those films are somewhat redeemed by their Williams scores.

Until next time, make sure you’re using the appropriate cartridge. Remember to always spin responsibly.