Director – Tim Burton
Composer – Danny Elfman
Self taught Danny Elfman and his love for sad music worked well in this movie, putting us in the world of fantasy, love and fear giving a dark mystery and quality to the movie contrasting with it’s own snowy purity.
Any fan of Tim Burton will recognise the opening soundtrack to this movie as the credits are being shown and taking you through the mansion where Edward lived. The beautifully mesmerising piece changes as the opening progresses, starting as a more fast paced track giving it mysterious and moving feel, whereas near the middle it slows down, making it more emotional and deep, the whole thing making you feel as though you are in a winter wonderland.
( http://youtu.be/7Uil_moZTQk )
Another famous and recognisable scene is where Winona Ryder’s character is dancing in the ice falling from the ice sculpture Edward is making with his scissors. This particular soundtrack, in my opinion, makes the scene, giving it that extra emotion and meaning to not only the love of the characters but their progression throughout the movie, especially Edward, it truly captures every thing he’s about, loving and sensitive. A deeply moving soundtrack to a modern fairy tale.
( http://youtu.be/VMfs1rlw4tc )
The music shows not only the theme of the movie but the innocence in the main character Edward which makes you feel almost sorry for him and maybe even feel love for him, making you feel emotional at certain points in the movie. Edward mostly reflects Tim Burton, not only the wacky hair but the diversity in personality and his ability to be different with his weird and wonderfully creative mind, whether it’s in the arts or style, making him different and misunderstood by many, “People are afraid of me because i’m different” – Edward.
In the more up-beat scenes, the quirky humour in some of the jazzier, big-band arrangements help the film move along as we are taken to many unusual yet familiar places and meet new and interesting characters.
Tim Burton has used Danny Elfman in many of his films, such as ‘Mars Attack’ and ‘Corpse Bride’. Edward Scissorhands is said to be his most personal and favorite work. Danny Elfman truly brought out Tim Button’s vision.