# Movies that are (partly or completely) ruined by the music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 20, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329 "2012-03-20T15:56:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/41 "2012-03-21T04:14:20Z")
What suspends my disbelief more than anachronistic soundtracks are soundtracks which heavily use pre-existing pop or rock songs. I can deal with a song playing during the opening or closing credits, or the occasional montage, but it completely takes me out of the movie when it happens all the time. A recent example for me would be “Children of Men”. There’s one particular scene where King Crimson’s “Court of the Crimson King” starts blaring. I felt like at this point I was no longer watching a movie, but some kind of extended music video instead. I guess I can understand how certain songs elicit strong emotional reactions from people, and that’s why directors include them, but for me it just ruins the experience. Especially when half of the soundtrack is other people’s songs. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/42 "2012-03-21T04:28:57Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > As a big fan of the _Chemical Brothers_ I still think they had no idea what they were doing scoring **Hanna**. > A movie about a 16 year-old trained survivalist/assassin and they have this bizzare electronic score that makes you think there will be a twist at the end revealing she’s a cyborg. Totally agree. And yet countless reviews list it as a positive. I hate any of the scores by John Carpenter. He scored most of his own films, yet he has no musical talent whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/43 "2012-03-21T04:37:03Z")
As someone who thinks the majority of movies have way too much music in them, I’d say my favorite examples of movies _not_ ruined by music are by the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami. Typically, he has no music in the soundtrack at all, until the very last scene, when – after the movie has built up whatever emotional tensions through story, visuals, etc. – the music hits you like a ton of emotional bricks. First example to come to mind is “A Taste of Cherry,” which ends with Louis Armstrong playing “St. James Infirmary.” It’s absolutely perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/44 "2012-03-21T04:58:20Z")
> [@4d3fect](#): > > Vangelis’ score for Blade Runner. Cheesy dated 80’s synthesizer washes. Not illustrative of mood or tone. Scott must have gone way over budget by the time he got to thinking about scoring this. Computer says, “No.” ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/45 "2012-03-21T05:34:25Z")
Agree with **Scarface** - and this is coming from someone who loves the soundtrack, but it totally doesn’t fit with the film. > [@DCnDC](#): > > **The Transformers: The Movie** - the 1986 animated one, not that piece of shit with Shia TheBeef. The soundtrack is all 80s hair metal. And not just 80s hair metal, _obscure_ no-name 80s hair metal. Completely hilarious. If you watch that movie without nostalgia goggles, and realize the movie is shit, the music is the only thing thing that makes it bearable. I used “The Touch” as a ringtone for awhile. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/46 "2012-03-21T06:10:05Z")
It has been a long time since I watched it, but (especially in contrast to the first movie) I recall that I really, really hated the music to _Ghostbusters II_. ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/47 "2012-03-21T13:44:24Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > It has been a long time since I watched it, but (especially in contrast to the first movie) I recall that I really, really hated the music to _Ghostbusters II_. \*Too hot to handle, too cold to hold, They’re called the Ghostbusters and they’re in control, Had ‘em throwin’ a party for a bunch of children While all the while, the slime was under the building So they packed up, regrouped, got a grip, came equipped, Strapped a proton pack on their back and they split! They’re on about Viggo, the master of evil, Tryin’ ta battle my boys? That ain’t LEGAL! Ohhhh-weee—ohhh… y-y-ya know it.\* The fact that I recall that from memory, frightens and appalls me. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/48 "2012-03-21T13:58:20Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Agree with **Scarface** - and this is coming from someone who loves the soundtrack, but it totally doesn’t fit with the film. > > If you watch that movie without nostalgia goggles, and realize the movie is shit, the music is the only thing thing that makes it bearable. I used “The Touch” as a ringtone for awhile. 😛 They should have used the Dirk Diggler cover of that song. “Dare To Be Stupid” was the most appropriate song used in that film. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/49 "2012-03-21T14:06:26Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I hate any of the scores by John Carpenter. He scored most of his own films, yet he has no musical talent whatsoever. Some of them certainly sound a bit dated, like the synth-heavy Escape from New York score. ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/50 "2012-03-21T15:16:43Z")
It’s been a long time, so my memory might be faulty, but I remember watching **The Firm** starring Tom Cruise and based on Grisham’s first novel (or first big hit, anyway), and feeling like the music ruined it. The music seemed like it was from a Peanuts cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![SunSandSuffering](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SunSandSuffering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunSandSuffering)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/51 "2012-03-21T15:19:03Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Some of them certainly sound a bit dated, like the synth-heavy Escape from New York score. But his “The Thing” score is perfect, all doom and melancholy. [Yes I know it was technically written by Morricone but JC took the bits he liked and re-worked them.] ---
**Author:** ![SunSandSuffering](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SunSandSuffering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunSandSuffering)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/52 "2012-03-21T15:20:07Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > A lot of people would disagree with you here. At least with regard to Heat and Last of the Mohicans. Thief and Manhunter are pretty dated. Take back what you said about Tangerine Dream! [Thief soundtrack] 😉 ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/53 "2012-03-21T15:53:46Z")
> [@SunSandSuffering](#): > > Take back what you said about Tangerine Dream! [Thief soundtrack] 😉 I actually enjoy the digital synth tracks, but it’s not to many people’s taste. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/54 "2012-03-21T16:19:22Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > It has been a long time since I watched it, but (especially in contrast to the first movie) I recall that I really, really hated the music to _Ghostbusters II_. There was a Ghostbusters II? Oh haha Just googled it…no reference to Ghostbusters II anywhere. Nope, notta one. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/55 "2012-03-21T19:50:55Z")
> [@Woeg](#): > > Ladyhawke - awesome medievally movie, nearly ruined by the cheesy bombastic 80’s synthesizer music. If they rereleased this with a nice orchestral soundtrack, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Came in to say this. But I bought it anyway. Seconding _A Knight’s Tale_. And I refuse to buy that even though DAVID BOWIE has a song in it. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/56 "2012-03-21T20:24:51Z")
The movie was ruined by bad directing, shitty acting, and a premise so stupid you could drive a truck through it long before the soundtrack (not “score”, “soundtrack”) was laid down, but for my money you cannot do worse than 2 hours of AC/DC being played during _Maximum Overdrive_. OMFG, I can’t _stand_ AC/DC. ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/57 "2012-03-22T00:35:10Z")
I was enjoying “The Artist” until the the theme of “Vertigo” was played during a climatic scene. I found it distracting. Also, Disney’s “The Black Hole” had the WORST action music I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/58 "2012-03-22T00:58:31Z")
> [@timid1](#): > > There Will Be Blood. The soundtrack just seems really out of place. And overbearing. > I’m a big Radiohead fan, but it seems like Greenwood never watched the movie. It sounded like they hired a 5th grade music class to play the music. The movie was already quite terrible, but the music was actually distracting me to the point where I said “WTF kind of crap music IS this?” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/59 "2012-03-22T01:02:55Z")
> [@timid1](#): > > There Will Be Blood. The soundtrack just seems really out of place. And overbearing. I agree, the soundtrack drew me out of the movie again and again. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329/60 "2012-03-22T01:22:53Z")
> [@4d3fect](#): > > Vangelis’ score for Blade Runner. Cheesy dated 80’s synthesizer washes. Not illustrative of mood or tone. Scott must have gone way over budget by the time he got to thinking about scoring this. I beg to differ on all counts. I’m not especially fond of synthesizers or even Vangelis (except for The Friends of Mr. Cairo), but Blade Runner’s score is one of the things that make Blade Runner a great movie. My contribution to the thread is For Your Eyes Only, which is the best of the Roger Moore Bond movies. But the disco guitar-laden soundtrack is truly a victim of its times. ‘Ruins’ is a bit strong, but it’s really jarring and it sillifies a movie in a series that has more than enough silliness already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-are-partly-or-completely-ruined-by-the-music/616329.md?page=4)