Ranking the David Arnold Scores

ZorinIndustriesZorinIndustries United StatesPosts: 837MI6 Agent
Ranking the scores of the David Arnold soundtracks:

5) QoS --- Nothing very memorable at all about this score. It's almost as if he was pressed for time. It didn't really add excitement or punch to the film.

4) CR --- Terrific use of Cornell's melody with "You Know My Name." The score for the stairwell fight was very intense and forced me to to the edge of my seat. Overall, pretty classic Bond score.

3) TND --- Arnold does a great job here at mixing classic elements of Bond ("White Knight") and helping usher that into the 21st century with pieces like "Backseat Driver." Also, "Surrender" is an extraordinary theme; k.d. Lang and Arnold got jipped the title.

2) DAD --- More so than TND, David Arnold's use of modern technology is out of this world. The "Hovercraft Chase" theme has to be the best in the entire film. Techno melodies and orchestras are mixed together to create an electrifying score.

1) TWINE --- Without David Arnold's score to the film, it would not have been as enjoyable. Every film has their unique sound when it comes to the score and right from the "Gunbarrel" music, we can tell how TWINE is going to sound: amazing. The PTS features some of the most Bondian music of the modern era and music like "Elektra's Theme" really adds emotion to the storyline. It was not easy, but I eventually picked The World Is Not Enough as David Arnold's best James Bond score thus far.

Unfortunately, with Sam Mendes coming back for Bond 24, it is assumed that Thomas Newman will score the film. Newman did a fine job in Skyfall, but David Arnold just gives Bond that extra kick that it needs. Your lists?
"Better luck next time... slugheads!"

1. GoldenEye 2. Goldfinger 3. Skyfall 4. OHMSS 5. TWINE

Comments

  • screenamescreename Posts: 388MI6 Agent
    Can't rank DAD as I haven't listened to it in a while.
    1) QoS: Have to agree with you it has some great parts, but overall lackluster. My favorite part is when he uses the score from Tosca.
    2) TWINE: it's hard for me between this and TND, but the electronic sounds in this one rank it lower for me. Electra's theme is the highlight of the score.
    3) TND: as explained above, very close but I love "White Knight" and can't get enough of "Paris and Bond/ the Last Goodbye"
    4) CR: "City of Lovers", "Vesper", "Death of Vesper" All of them bring back all the emotions of the film within three bars.
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,774MI6 Agent
    I can't list Mr Arnold's scores, except my outright favorite is CR-06, with TWINE at its heels.

    One element Ido like in QoS, is that when Vesper is mentioned, by Mathis on the plane, and at the end when Bond tells M she was right, Vesper's theme gently plays over those scenes. I always picture the scenes in CR in CR-06 when that happens.
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    I've moved this topic to the Music Forum.

    TND is my fave Arnold score, then TWINE and CR in joint 2nd place.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I love ALL his scores. -{ although.

    I'd put QOS and TND first followed by
    CR, TWINE and DAD.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    I quite like Arnold's work though his action stuff can be a bit crash-bang-wallop with little texture. I actually like the fact he had to concoct a Bond score without relying on the Bond theme on his last two gigs. I find DIE ANOTHER DAY thematically lazy, hence its last-place position.

    1. QUANTUM OF SOLACE
    2. CASINO ROYALE
    3. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
    4. TOMORROW NEVER DIES
    5. DIE ANOTHER DAY
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