Ranking Every John Carpenter Theme Worst To Best
4. Escape From New York/La (1981) With Alan Howarth
This is a very cool tune, however you look at it.
In the same year that Halloween II was hitting screens for better or worse, John Carpenter was donning his post-apocalyptic sci-garb, and like all his cult films, it was a given that he was also composing the music.
Due to the likes of Assault on Precinct 13, Carpenter had proven his ability to create dystopian electronic pieces that functioned on a different level to his horror themes, and Escape from New York has to be the best in this field. The jazzy tempo, emotive synths and virtually transparent lead blips work in perfect harmony with one another to create a piece that is a gritty, but also kind of melancholy. The clever key changes instigate an involving listening experience that will stick to your brain like chewing gum, in a good way.
John Carpenter was always good at finding the song to befit the film. With all due respect to the mighty Escape from New York, this is one track that almost surpasses the quality of the movie.
Virtually nothing changed for the 1996 Escape from LA reworking. It didn't need to.