David Arnold

David Arnold's first score was The Young Americans, and he subsequently made a huge, Kurt Russell-shaped impact with the Roland Emmerich feature Stargate. Emmerich and Arnold's follow-up was the even more massive Independence Day, and the world still has yet to recover from that film's spectacle, cheesiness, and huge orchestral bombast. Soon after, Arnold became the official composer for the James Bond series, scoring every film from Tomorrow Never Dies (the one with Michelle Yeoh) up to Quantum of Solace (the intervening films are The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, and Casino Royale). He is still the second best Bond composer behind John Barry; Michael Kamen, Thomas Newman and perhaps George Martin wrote fine scores, but the other composers offer no competition. Arnold tips his hat to Barry while bringing in his own snazzy themes and stirring action music. The British-born composer has since become the go-to composer for directors Michael Apted and John Singleton. Arnold is best known for his orchestral pyrotechnics, as shown in his high-octane scores for the Emmerich films (Stargate, Independence Day, Godzilla). Stargate has a winner of a main theme and introduced the composer's distinctive, full-bodied style of choral writing. Godzilla merges raw power, intense percussion, awe, and a handful of rousing fanfares. Independence Day represents the height of Arnold's patriotic, brassy, complex, almost out-of-control action music. The composer deftly interweaves half a dozen strong, distinctive, rip-roaring themes with memorable motifs. Arnold has also displayed his orchestral chops with Last of the Dogmen, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, The Musketeer, Paul, and Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. But he also has an enthusiasm for electronics (Die Another Day, Enough, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Changing Lanes) and is adept at more subtle scores as well (Amazing Grace, A Life Less Ordinary). He wrote the best score for an Edgar Wright film with Hot Fuzz, using full-blown orchestral action, chanting choir, and propulsive beats. Arnold was the musical director for the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, supervising arrangements of the songs and writing a few original pieces as well (all of which were senselessly cut from NBC's American broadcast). "Parade of the Athletes" features his bold, orchestral side while "Spirit of the Flame" showcases choir and driving electronics. As a side note, his Twitter (@DavidGArnold) features some of the most random, hilarious musings I've read from someone who doesn't make his living as a comedian.

Amazing Grace
Casino Royale*

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Die Another Day

Enough

Four Brothers

Godzilla*

Hot Fuzz

Independence Day**

Last of the Dogmen

A Life Less Ordinary

The Musketeer

Paul

Quantum of Solace
Shaft

Stargate*

The Stepford Wives

Tomorrow Never Dies**

The World Is Not Enough

Zoolander

2 Fast 2 Furious