Composing Greatness: #2. Oscars 2019 Edition - "Black Panther"

Scene from Black Panther

Welcome to a very special edition of Composing Greatness. In this limited series, I will be looking at the five scores nominated for this year's Best Original Score category. To avoid favoritism, the list will be done in alphabetical order of composers and feature the same guidelines as the original series. This is meant to explore the music behind the great films of 2018, and provide insight into what makes each of them special and whether or not they deserved to be nominated at all. Join me all week as I listen to the  music, leave some thoughts, and hopefully sway you to check out these wonderful, wonderful scores.

Series Composer: Ludwig Goransson

Entry: Black Panther (2018)

Collaborators (If Available): N/A

Nomination: Best Original Score

Other Nominees:
-BlacKkKlansman (Terence Blanchard)
-If Beale Street Could Talk (Nicholas Brittell)
-Isle of Dogs (Alexandre Desplat)
-Mary Poppins Returns (Marc Shaiman)

Note: Listen to the score here.

Exploring the Music

The area of the column where I will explore the music in as much detail as I see fit for each entry.

What's So Great About It?

Despite being one of the premiere sources of entertainment, the superhero score hasn't quite gotten as much love as Ludwig Goransson's work here. Then again, few scores feel as revolutionary or exciting as this. Some credit should be given to the beast that is Black Panther feeling like every aspect exists in its own world. You're left in awe by the mix of percussion with trap music and even dubstep. What Goransson's doing here by blending styles on an epic scale is quite an accomplishment and shows his strength as a composer. This may be the most exciting nominee for the category since The Social Network's minimalist electronics. Mainstream audiences haven't heard a score this ambitious in quite some time, and it's likely that cinema on this scale hasn't produced another score this accomplished in such a unique tone.

What's So Bad About It?

While it may be controversial to say, I think that the music lacks the classical melodies and motifs that the other four nominees have. While I admire its use of percussion and horns, I don't know that I am able to recall a specific piece of music quite as well as the other nominees. It may be big and exciting, even revolutionary, but the simple question is: can you hum it? It's part of the magic of Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer's work that separates Goransson from producing something as timeless. I still think that what he's doing will make him one of the best modern composers in time (unpopular opinion: his work on Venom is also very interesting). For now I think this is a great calling card that captures atmosphere very well, though its scope may be a bit too daunting and redundant as a singular piece of music.

Did This Deserve an Oscar Nomination?:
Yes

While I do think that there's aspects of the score that keep it from being timeless, I think that it still has a powerful impact over listeners. It's rare that genres and styles like this would blend so effortlessly, let alone get recognized by The Academy. It's powerful and Goransson's work is far more accomplished than any other score in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By the end you're left feeling like you heard something new, and that's just what this category needs. Who knows if this will be the gateway necessary for more esoteric scores to get nominated, or just for superhero scores to get far more interesting than they currently are. I think there's too much going on that makes it accessible and perfect, but I think it helps to explain why Black Panther has been a singular behemoth in 2018. You feel triumphant listening to this piece of music, and that's good enough for this category.

Up Next: Nicholas Brittell - If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) for Best Original Score

Rank the Nominees

1. Ludwig Goransson - Black Panther
2. Terence Blanchard - BlacKkKlansman