Movie Montages

 With Karate Kid Legends coming out , I have been listening to the song "You're The Best" to get ready for it. Who am I kidding, I listen to that song to hype myself for everything from errands to writing, to making posts for this blog. And it got me thinking about montage songs from movies such as "Eye Of The Tiger" or "Hearts On Fire", yes I used two examples from Rocky. But there are also great ones that have just instrumental songs. So let's talk about montages.

A good montage in a movie, whether the song has lyrics or is instrumental can not only fit well in the movie, make a passage of time more entertaining, show character or plot development or both, and can even inspire the audience. When I think of a montage, I think of a film fast tracking a character from point A to point B, by grouping some of the more tedious steps in a process. Such as training, someone to get better at a sport would have to do that over and over, and so, why not use a montage to move it along without breaking the pace of the film.

Montages also can hype up the audiences in the best way possible, showing a character push themselves and strive to reach the top. Watching a character train, and see their progress in real time, can still capture a relatable emotion without taking up too much time. The songs from these montages can help make work outs or other mundane tasks exciting. The real emotion of determination shown can reach from the screen into the real world, encouraging us to push ourselves in whatever we may be doing. Whether it's writing a paper or folding the laundry, the music from these moments can put us in the right mindset. Especially if the song has lyrics.

Not just being what pushes the character forward, sometimes these ballads are the essence of pushing oneself when the world around them tells them to give up. The lyrics of these songs whether they be made for the montage or be preexisting songs used in a new way can help push the listener forward. I mean who can't get hyped listening to "Eye Of The Tiger". Though "Hearts On Fire" From Rocky IV is still my favorite song from that franchise and will always put me in the mood to get fired up.

Montages also sometimes set the tone, such as the Toby Maguire Spider-Man movie, especially the first film showing his rise. The opening of Amazing Spider-Man 2, all my opinions on that film aside, shows a great use of Spider-Man working as well as public opinion. And in Spider-Man Homecoming, that montage of Spidey going around the neighborhood, interacting there, and sometimes messing up, was a perfect way to set the tone of a great movie.

This also extends into the world of animation, there are plenty of montages in animated movies that not only look great but show growth, determination, or the passage of time. Creature Commandos has several great montage scenes that are not only good story telling methods but great use of the listened music used for the show. But two animated movie montages that always get me fired up are from Mulan with "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" and Into The Spiderverse With "What's Up Danger". 

In the case of the former we see Mulan and her friends pushing forward and proving themselves. All while the music not only makes for one of the most hype songs Disney has ever put out, but also shows their determination. The blend of comedy, great visuals, and the music make for unforgettable scene. The song itself through its strong instrumentals, vocals, and lyrics make for a great motivator, and watching Mulan go from novice to doing the impossible is purely inspiring. As for Spiderverse, we finally see Miles Morales come into his own, we hear the words that have helped lead him to this moment, the work to get here, and the moment of truth. As the songs main lyrics kick in we see the leap of faith, we see the moment of broken glass, free falling, and finally the hero coming into his own. Finally being animated at a full sixty frames per second, once full of fear and doubt, Miles Morales has become the Spider-Man we were all waiting for him to be. 

The Incredibles has a great one with an instrumental track, that shows the passage of time, all while having a great song. Telling the story visually with no words all while showing that all is better for Mr. Incredible or at least so he perceives. He has that spark in him that he feels only can be accomplished by being a hero, even showing trying to get that feeling out of the audience with this back and fourth between home life and work, and how all seems right in the world, all tied together with a great piece of big band jazz music. 

Montage songs can be great listens either paired with the visuals of the scenes in which they originated, or as songs on their own. I sometimes just look up and watch the isolated scenes either for fun entertainment, or for a quick burst of inspiration. Seeing characters refuse to give up captures why we keep on going, and the music accompanying them can be great motivators. Sometimes when my day is just blah, I will crank "You're The Best Around" and get myself ready for the tasks ahead, whether it be writing, content creator, or just doing what I need to do. "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" will never cease to inspire me every time I give it a listen, to give it my all and then some. These scenes, these songs, show that we should keep pushing ourselves toward our dreams, showing that the road to victory is never easy. Often full of slip ups and mistakes, we keep striving, keep picking ourselves up, and try again. And I am glad these movie montages can provide music that reminds us, to never give up.