Top 80's Movie Themes

One thing sorely lacking from films these days is a memorable instrumental theme. So few films have great, memorable score - moreover ones that crossover into mainstream culture. Take, for example, Atonement. A Stunning with a capital S score, but no mainstream appeal. Even epics like the Lord of the Rings trilogy...no terribly hum-able. Here's an homage to the best the 80's has to offer.

5. Beverly Hills Cop
Eddie Murphy is Axl Foley...and Axl's theme is techno-synth-pop heaven. This soundtrack yielded quite a few hits, including Glen Frey's "The Heat is On" and The Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance," but Herbie Hancock's theme is quintessential 80's and helped define this character, this film, this era. Incredibly enough, Hancock remains relevant, having won a Grammy this year for best album. Go figure.




4. Top Gun
In case you haven't figure it out, we like Top Gun on this blog. And with good reason! The screaming guitars and and soaring melody make the film's theme an anthem for the ages. When the music swells and Maverick tosses Goose's dog tags into the sea...come on. Magic. Pure movie magic.

3. Back to The Future
Speaking of movie magic, how about a trip back in time to the year 1955? Even the sight of a Delorian or a mention of this film immediately conjures the theme of Back To The Future. Not to mention how many themes use the glockenspiel so effectively?



2. Chariots of Fire

Try running in slow motion without singing the melody. I dare you. I double-dog dare you. The synth-symphony of 1981's Chariots of Fire yielded an Oscar...and imbued the image of a bunch of exhausted Brits slowly...ever so slowly...pushing their way through the surf in search of glory.





1. TIE: The Empire Strikes Back / Raiders of the Lost Ark
It's impossible to choose between two John Williams masterpieces. The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back defines evil. At the same time, the Indiana Jones theme simply can't be outdone. Re-watching Raiders yesterday in preparation for Indy 4 on Thursday, you can't help but get chills at the trumpets. Where are anthems like this? Not even John Williams writes 'em like this anymore. Granted, he's gone on to create the anthemic and haunting themes for more Spielberg triumphs in the 90's and 2000's (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, Catch Me If You Can), but these two works are simply beyond reach

Dialogue From Top Gun

One movie stands at the pinnacle of 80's testosterone. Rambo II is second, but a distant second to the magnum opus of manliness that is Top Gun. For the record, it's a bromance movie, not an ode to all things homo erotic. But if that's how you want to enjoy it, power to ya. Regardless, there are some absolute gems of dialogue and moments that have forever changed the American and the American male lexicons. Here are my picks for the best of the best.

5. Maverick: I feel the need...
Maverick and Goose: ...the need for speed!
It's the movie's catchphrase. It's ubiquitous. Lame people say it when they get in their Toyotas and rev the engine before picking up their kids from soccer practice. You can't escape it, you can only hope to contain it. And odds are, at some point in your life, you've uttered these words...in the exact rhythm of Maverick and Goose. You may have even yelped in celebration afterwards and hit someone with an emphatic high five. Don't kid yourself. You're not fooling anybody else.

4. Iceman: You can be my wingman any time.
Maverick: Bullshit. You can be mine.
The ultimate bromance line. Not to mention the genesis of "the wingman," aka: the guy who helps his buddy out and goes in on his wing and interjects stupid lines to make his friend appear cool by comparison when he tries lamely to pick up a girl at a bar or social function. There's a faint hint of praise for both parties involved, but no one comes right out and says, "Hey, I love you, man. I care about your well being." It's about the closest two guys can get to a lovefest without crossing the erotic neutral zone. And, again, you know you've used the term "wingman" at some point. Ladies, I mean you, too.

3. Maverick: She's lost that loving feeling.
Ever since Maverick and Goose picked up a microphone and led a bar full of drunken Naval aviators in serenading Kelly McGillis with "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," every man has dreamed of recreating this moment. And I think, secretly, so has every woman.

2. Slider: Goose who's butt did you kiss to get in here anyway?
Goose: The list is long, but distinguished.
Slider: Yeah, well so is my Johnson.
Oh, Slider. How you cut to the core. This is without a doubt one of the biggest, "what did he just say?" lines in cinematic history. It takes a few seconds to register just how ridiculous it is. And then, when you fully comprehend its brilliance, you suddenly want to find subtle ways to incorporate it into your own personal lexicon. It's the cooler, edgier cousin of "That's what she said" - only superior because you make the statement in reference to yourself! Go ahead, try it at the watercooler tomorrow. You'll either get big kudos, or a big slap.

1. Iceman: "chomp"
No one knows why Val Kilmer makes this chomp at Tom Cruise. It may be the singular strangest acting choice in history. That's what a Juliard certificate gets you? Also, you have to wonder how much it hurts Val's pearly, blindingly white teeth. Ouch! Seriously, though...this is classic. It defines everything about Iceman and has made Val the Iceman forever (the only exception being his incredible turn as Doc Holiday in Tombstone. totally underrated flick!). But because it's so distinctive...so strange...unexplainable...so Val...for my money, this is by far the best bit of dialogue in the movie.