Kiara Lin
John Williams once said “so much of what we do is ephemeral and quickly forgotten, even by ourselves, so it's gratifying to have something you have done linger in people's memories,” and this can be seen in his highly unforgettable score compositions. His music in the film Jurassic Park, the action packed dinosaur movie that swept the nation and the world off its feet, sets the pace of the entire film, and helps the audience make emotional connections throughout the piece. The main way emotive bridges were conveyed through music was with the usage of the theme song. Every time the theme song appears, it connects to the last time the dinosaurs did something astonishing, and we humans were powerless against these giant jurassic wonders. There are three main appearances of the song, the familiar melody helps the audience understand and make association between the scenes upon their occurrences.
The first instance of this is in the beginning of the film, when the guests first arrive on the island and meet the dinosaurs, the notable melody known as Jurassic Park’s theme plays triumphantly. As the dinosaurs come into view, a wondrous cacophony of horns accompany their grand reveal. This scene gives us the feeling of brilliance that the dinosaurs possess, something thought scientifically impossible made probable. We are reminded of the sanctity of life, and the importance of the balance that life holds. The adventuring guests are blown away by the majesty of the dinosaurs, and the horn fanfare of the classic melody jubilantly accentuates the astonishing power of these beasts.
The next usage of the theme song is “A Tree for My Bed,” a kind music box melody, when the adventurers Alan, Tim and Lex are devastated and tired from the chaos of being chased by a T-Rex. Alan helps the children up into a very high tree, where the dinosaurs would be unable to reach them. Lex is frightened by the brachiosauruses, but it is revealed they are vegetarian. The two children fall asleep, and Alan admires the alluring view of prehistoric beings, and slowly lulls off to sleep, surveying the beauty of these creatures upon a beauteous landscape. The score gives the audience the sense of serenity, safety, and assurance of the characters wellbeing, and adds emphasis to the tranquil beauty of the colossal setting.
The second to last time the theme is played is right after the velociraptors have chased the children through the kitchen, the T-Rex interrupts the kerfuffle, demolishing the velociraptors. The reprise of the brass fanfare reminds the audience of the beauty and destruction this life can cause, and though the thought of it was miraculous, the way in which it was carried out was unthoughtful, scientists as brilliant as them should have thought to look into the reproductive properties of the frogs, before hastily creating enormous unstoppable threats once given the power of reproduction. The audience is connected to the beginning of the film, when once marveled at the dinosaurs with amazement, the adventurers are now awestruck by their power.
The final time the melody is played is upon a piano, the song is titled “Welcome to Jurassic Park,” despite being the final song that is played during the film. “Welcome to Jurassic Park” concocts a somber tone for the audience, allowing them to see into the characters minds. The song plays at the very end of the film, when the group of heroes are on the helicopter, bound for home. The adventurers look out the window, surveying the beauty of the island, and remembering the horrors and marvels they witnessed and endured. The timbre of the piece has melancholy elements to it, but is also comforting, and gives the audience the sense of relief, the sense of “it’s over now.” They had their final fight, and made it out to tell the tale.
In conclusion, John Williams utilizes the different array of musical instruments he possesses to create different timbre, and a variance of moods, while using the exact same note formulation, in order to help the audience make connections, draw conclusions, and to feel for the characters. Williams helps build the world with the power of music, when there was a lack of music prevalent in the film, it was clear that something bad was waiting in the wings for the adventurers. The music assists the entire pace of the film, and helps draw connections between our heroes and their interactions with the dinosaurs, as we powerlessly watch the helpless characters grow and fight for their lives against these miraculous creations.
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