Watchmen: Music From The Motion Picture

The release of Zack Snyder’s Watchmen has been widely anticipated by the population – from comic enthusiasts, to film aficionados, right down to your regular Joe. Its music was being publicized months before the film’s release, and that kind of hype tends to generate high expectations. While the soundtrack did not disappoint, I will say that it was surprising. It is packed with nostalgic favorites mostly made popular in the ’60s and ’70s with a few modern releases thrown in.

In preparation for writing this review I listened to the Watchmen soundtrack multiple times before I went to see the film. I wanted to train my ear to hear the songs specific to the soundtrack. I was prepared to evaluate each individual song’s relevance to the theme, but also to the particular scene where it appeared. In doing so I found that familiar songs were coupled with scenes in unfamiliar ways, provoking uncommon interpretations.

The second song on the soundtrack, but the first to appear in the film, is Nat King Cole’s timeless “Unforgettable.” While I’ve most likely heard this song a thousand times, never have I, nor will I again, hear it quite like I did while watching the film for the first time. The slow, soothing sound was crystal clear as I watched The Comedian fight for his life, in real time and then slow motion. The atmosphere was bittersweet while he plunged to his death, but the feeling only lingered for a moment because the transition into Dylan’s “The Times They are A-Changin’” was seamless. Perfectly placed, the tune accompanies a flashback that introduces the masked avengers and their past endeavors.

At The Comedian’s funeral we hear Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.” This is interesting because the film portrays The Comedian as John F. Kennedy’s actual assassin. Written in February of ’64, “The Sounds of Silence” was intended to symbolize the pain and confusion felt by the American public after the death of their young President. Therefore in the film the creators use this tribute to a hero to commemorate the life of his killer. In similar contrast, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” juxtaposes the film’s only sex scene. Recorded over 180 times by different artists, this song is generally used in TV and film to evoke emotion during traumatic events such as war or death. Instead Watchmen’s creators use it to dramatize physical utopia rather than ruin.

Packed with tracks from other legends such as Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, the Watchmen soundtrack is a captivating compilation of classic hits. Included with this collection is The Original Motion Picture Score, composed by Tyler Bates. The 21 track set of dark instrumentals do what most movie scores do by keeping the audience emotionally focused on the events of the film. While listening to them at work a woman approached me and exclaimed, “Is this the music from Lord of The Rings? My son listens to this!” Which should tell you how original it is.

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1. The Book of Eli: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2. Terminator Salvation Original Soundtrack
3. Karen O & The Kids – Where The Wild Things Are

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