This movie, Bubba Ho-Tep, AVP, and the DVD of Return Of The King are shows I`m looking forward to (hey, I found some to look forward to... grumble grumble grumble...).
One other thing. I'm not sure why they're saying it's a "a Sony Pictures DVD exclusive, [which] will be released June 1" - it's already out in UK video stores.
Here's a "Did They Mention the Music?" bit from DVDFile's review of the disc:
"The orchestral score was co-composed by John W. Morgan and William T. Stromberg; the latter, significantly, has been involved in numerous re-recordings of reconstructed film scores from the golden age of cinema, and you may hear a stylistic influence. The score is both effective and presented with authority. "
So where exactly did this John W. Morgan come from? Anybody?
Born sometime in the middle of the last century, John Morgan did little until he scored additional cues for Steven Speilberg's Tiny Toons. After that his career shot up! And he co-composed some other scores with some guy named Strumburg, or something.
I believe Phil Tippett found him under a gooseberry bush.
(Bravo, John!)
Cinefex # 97 (April) features "Q & A with Phil Tippett" (interview by Joe Fordham)--
"what led you to score the movie in Moscow? That sounds quite grand.
I've known the composers, John Morgan and William Stromberg, for many years. They primarily make their livings by doing reconstructions of old Max Steiner and Erich Korngold scores for the Marco Polo label. And because of Marco Polo's budgetary limitations, they have been recording in Moscow for the last ten or fifteen years. Bill was able to get a full orchestra for a billionth of the cost of doing it here in California. The score for this movie is very retro, with a lot of Bernard Herrmann and Max Steiner in the music."
I've still never seen this movie (or the first one) and still don't intend to see it.
But I bought this soundtrack 10 (!) years ago based on samples and the general awesomeness of Morgan/Stromberg. I dusted it off today and was moved to share how much I love this score. Such fun. Love the big themes, love the big action cues, love the softer bits.
The opening ten minutes is just fantastic and worth the price of admission by itself.
I can't recommend the movie (though I actually like it, even if its only a rung or two up from a SyFy Original) but man, that score is terrific. Everything we're *not* getting in the last few years seems to be found in ST2.
(ST3, though a marginally better movie - and a direct sequel to the original, both in tone and with characters - has a ho-hum score that never saw the light of day. However, its worth hearing the brilliantly over-the-top singing Sky Marshall musical number.)
I've been meaning to buy a copy of this score for years, but keep ending up buying other things instead. I haven't seen the movie, and I certainly didn't realise there was a third one! Crikey.
I find the movie itself to be a little underrated...sure the budget limitations are more than evident, but it's a half-decent and respectful follow-on. The third - "Marauder" - is notable for the return of Johnny Rico, and a fascinating central theme that just...doesn't....quite...work....no matter how much I actually want it to...to any fan of the first movie (of which I am a huge fan!), I would suggest to check out 2 and 3....but maybe only once....
Agree about the acore to number 2 though - it's tremendous fun!
I finally got around to watching the sequels a couple of months ago. I agree with the general consensus that part is the superior one, although part 2 has its moments.
But man, this score. I'm listening on Spotify and it is goddamned TREMENDOUS.
