Welcome to the 2023 SiftPop.com Sifties!
This year, the SiftPop writers came together to nominate five movies for Best Audio Experience. Since two of the major pieces that work together to create a complete cinematic experience are a film’s visuals and audio, we thought it would be important to highlight them for our Siftie awards.
The How to Train Your Dragon score is among the best scores of all time, not just for animated movies, but for movies in general. So it’s nice to see a DreamWorks movie follow in that tradition, with The Wild Robot — a movie with many strengths — having music from Kris Bowers that beautifully underscores every visual moment. It’s triumphant, meaningful, and moving all at the same time. On top of that, the movie has immaculate sound design which depicts animals and robots alike, making the whole movie feel as alive as the forest’s community.
When the opening sequence has a powerful revving of an engine, the audience should know they’re in for a wild audio experience. George Miller is a master of practical effects and spectacle on the big screen. The audio in his movies is a complement to everything the big screen has to offer when it comes to a spectacle. In Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,the sound is amped up to 11. Engines roaring with so might ferocity, the wind howling in a way that feels like it will never stop, bullets falling to the ground. Miller should be incredibly proud of the work he did to assure Furiosa was a full experience. Much like Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa carries the torch by offering an experience of sight and sound. The beauty of this movie is that if the audience were to be blindfolded during the screening, the audio would still tell a visceral experience for all. Watching this feels like you’re at a concert. and everything is cranked up as high as possible. Every time an engine revs up, goosebumps spread to everyone watching. That’s the mark of something incredibly special.
It’s easy to think about Hans Zimmer’s score for Dune: Part Two and understand why the film was up for this award. It builds on Part One’s already incredible score, adding new, instantly memorable themes which evolve throughout the course of the movie. For instance, Paul and Chani’s theme is romantic and epic at the beginning, as the characters get to know each other and fall in love; but by the end of the movie, as Paul has made the kinds of decisions it’s difficult to come back from, the theme becomes mournful, and even frightening. That theme alone might warrant the film a nomination here. But when you add the sound design — from the thumpers, to the sandworms, to the personal shields — Dune: Part Two is a feast for the ears.
When Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross unite, magic happens. Teaming up with director Luca Guadagnino for a second time in Challengers (after Bones and All), they provide the perfect audio backing for the visuals he’s putting on screen. It blends different aspects of what audiences have come to expect from the duo. At times, it’s reminiscent of their high-energy electric score from The Social Network, but it also works in more eerily calm piano melodies like they used in Empire of Light and the aforementioned Bones and All. Then, they add something new to their bag of tricks, as synth punctuates the thrilling tennis scenes and helps to add to the atmosphere. Alongside the music, the sounds on the court pop and make the audience take notice. From the connection of the ball on the racket or the court, to the sound of the crowd, each bit of audio helps elevate the visual story the cast and crew are trying to tell. It all comes together in a winning mix.
There’s a reason Wicked has been a theater sensation for more than 20 years now, and the music is obviously a huge part of it. Having vocal powerhouses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the two lead roles helps the highly anticipated adaptation live up to expectations. From the operatic high notes of “No One Mourns the Wicked,” to the hopefulness and irony of “The Wizard and I,” the conversational feel of “What is This Feeling,” infectiousness of “Popular,” longing of “I’m Not That Girl,” fun surprises waiting in “One Short Day,” and the powerhouse catharsis of the “Defying Gravity” finale, each song and performance provides something a little different. Though singing along to what’s on screen is frowned upon, unless in a singalong showing or in the comfort of your own home, the instinct is understandable, as it’s hard not to want to join in. Though the songs are also the centerpiece, the use of sound during the choreography of some truly breathtaking dance numbers helps to meld the stage production with something befitting a cinematic adaption. The show is a modern classic for a reason, and it’s brought to life on screen here with the gravitas and passion required.
Make sure to check out the previous 2024 Sifties winners, and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the winner of Best Visual Experience!