5) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Crystal Skull is a solid-as-a-rock Indy score with a proper balance of pre and post late 90s Williams-isms. Plenty of old theme throwbacks and just the right amount of new themes; for me, the lyrically menacing Irina was one of the more memorable ones of 2008, and Mutt's makes for a swashbuckling good time. Some nice new arrangements on the Raiders theme, though like the character, Marion's could've used for a little more variety.
4) Eagle Eye - Although I've come to despise the movie, and the nature of the music is entirely inappropriate for what was supposed to be a conspiracy-thriller, Eagle Eye does make for a good listening experience on its own. The score doesn't stray too heavily from Brian Tyler's overly bombast action formula, but it somehow feels more robust and thematically consistent than any of his previous outings.
3) Quantum of Solace - Like the movie, the score isn't as well-structured as Casino Royale (and Cornell's You Know My Name is leagues better than the Keys/White Another Way To Die), but Arnold turns in another excellent Bond music effort. Points for the new ethnic instrumentation he's utilized for this one.
2) Kung Fu Panda - Panda proved to be my favorite animation of last year, and the Zimmer/Powell music collaboration provides an immensely enjoyable listen. To quote Filmtracks' Christian Clemmensen: "Buy it if you appreciate either Hans Zimmer's epic and fluid harmonic progressions or John Powell's dynamic and creative rhythms and instrumentation, for this blend of the two is adequate in sum and impressive in parts." The sounds of the Far East are dynamic, while equal dashes of epic and comedy punctuate the rest of the score.
1) Speed Racer - Easily my favorite Giacchino score ever, and that's certainly saying something given the man's ever-increasing discography of notable hits. To quote AICN's ScoreKeeper (where Speed Racer also ranked number one on his list): "This is simply my favorite film score of 2008. It was an extremely easy decision. As much as I loved other scores this year, none will compare. Every time I listen to the final climax of the film, as the Bruckner-ian low brass heralds the ascending “Here he comes…” motive, and the soaring voices of the choir celebrates Speed’s ultimate victory, I know I’ll be in a ceremonious state of unadulterated ecstasy. It’s a state only the very best film music is capable of taking me."
Special mention goes to Cloverfield's Roar! Shapiro's Tropic Thunder, and the Indiana Jones Soundtrack Collection. There's plenty of '08 soundtracks I've yet to go through, including Elfman's "Wanted" and "Milk", Powell's "Hancock" and "Bolt", Desplat's Benjamin Button, Ottman's Valkyrie, and Mamma Mia!
That being the case I'm really curious to hear people's picks!
