„Requiem for a dream“<\/a>, which was the score for a quite succesful arthouse feature film, but then went on to become a number one musical hit among film trailers. The use of „Requiem for a dream“ as a soundtrack at some point became so common that it could happen that you saw two trailers in a row for different films that featured exactly the same music!<\/p>\nThe current trailer for the new version of „Godzilla“ is at start in the typical „trailer mode“….<\/p>\n
Ominous voice-over? Check! (even though this time it is Bryan Cranston in character as an actor of the film)
\nOminous repeated drones that basically were nearly all there is to the film music of „Inception“? Check!
\nQuick Cuts interspersed with darkness to make the scenes more….well…ominous? Check!
\nLots of people running, explosions and scenes of chaos to wow the viewer? Check!<\/p>\n
But then….at 0:57….something different. And it is like meeting an old friend: „Requiem“ by György Ligeti, pretty much the same spot Stanley Kubrick used for the monolith scene on the moon (2001).
\nAnd you know what? It completely changes the mood of the trailer. What before was standard, run-of-the-mill „ominousness“ now suddenly gains a sense of urgency and gravity. I literally felt a shiver down my spine and suddenly thought „this film is going to rule“ (and to be honest – the trailer actually is pretty good in achieving what it tries to achieve). It gives the trailer a completely different atmosphere, which is quite refreshing when one is used to the normal „Boom-boom“ music.<\/p>\n
And all this because some trailer-guy suddenly thought „Hey, why should I use the trashy trailer-music that is always used? Why not use something different? Well, let’s look…ah, here is that old record of the „2001“ soundtrack that was pretty famous at it’s time….let’s see…wow, this sounds creepy and really arty….but very ominous! Who is the guy? Liggi or something? Better check the rights situation….“<\/p>\n
I am not sure if trailer-guy had exactly these thoughts when editing this. But you know what? For one short minute of watching it he made me a happy person. And that can not be a bad thing at all.<\/p>\n
Moritz Eggert<\/p>\n
PS: „Requiem for a Dream“ is actually not a cheap soundtrack at all – featuring one of the better works of CLint Mansell, played by the Kronos quartet and arranged by no other than David Lang)<\/p>\n