12. Opening Credits (Catch Me If You Can, 2002)
In 2002's dazzling dramedy Catch Me If You Can, John Williams homaged the very type of soundtracks he overthrew back in the '70s. The jazzy sounds of Bill Conti, Lalo Schifrin and Henry Mancini (one of Williams' mentors) were perfectly emulated in a score that gave Williams the chance to revisit his origins as a jazz pianist. The film has already gone on to become a modern classic for its fluent pace, great performances and a balanced tone that alternates breezy coolness with yearning melancholy. Williams' contribution to the opening credits perfectly sets the mood and tempo for the movie. Cartoon silhouettes à la Saul Bass perform a little reduction of the film over a suave and snappy jazz piece. In 2011, Williams and Spielberg would use a similar approach for the Tintin title sequence.