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Author	Topic: Input needed for these Goldsmith action scores

Alwin Oscar® Winner	I'm really interested in buying the following titles, but don't want to end up with titles I'll regret later on. So: 1) U.S. Marshals 2) Executive Decision 3) Deep Rising I've heard the criticisms in the past, but are they generic cookie-cutter/sound-alike scores, or they do have unique redeeming value? I should mention that I already have AFO, Small Soldiers, 13th Warrior, and The Mummy, so if that will help with your analysis... Thanks for the help in advance! NP: Dinosaur
posted 11-01-2000 04:07 PM PT (US)

lucchung Oscar® Winner	Alwin, sound like you're a Goldsmith fan. Of the 3, Deep Rising is the Best. I personlly feel it's one of Goldsmith most rousing action score. From the list you have, I would rank it below The 13th Warrior and The Mummy but above Small Soldier (a score I also like but unfortunately, like Deep Rising, is a very short release). Unless you're loaded, don't go for Executive Decision or US Marshals. Executive is too short and US is just not interesting. Money could be used on better Goldsmith scores. Tell me what kind of Goldsmith scores do you also like and I'll toss out some recommendations. But for now, just get Deep Rising, save your money for the Total Recall re-release or buy The Ghost and the Darkness, Rudy, Omen II, Omen III Final Conflict. But hey, it's better to let us know what do you prefer in a Goldsmith score before taking in too much recommendations. For example, people always recommend Planet of the Apes, Russia House, and the Blue Max, and as a Goldsmith fan, I don't like these scores.
posted 11-01-2000 04:29 PM PT (US)

Timmer Oscar® Winner	Ummmmmm?!, I know there'll be a few who disagree with me, but there's SO MANY scores out there better than the 3 you listed Alwin, I wouldn't bother with any of them....unfortunately I already have Deep Rising which I would willingly boot up the road if I didn't think I could trade it at some point! I'm big on Goldsmith, but these are just not my cup of tea!! NP : The Challenge - superb Mr.G score
posted 11-01-2000 05:02 PM PT (US)

Alwin Oscar® Winner	Awww, really Timmer? Well, I kinda wanted to narrow things down to those 3. I will get the Total Recall re-release when it comes out... What I'm trying to do is to gain exposure on his late 1990s works, and work backwards from there... maybe it should be the other way around, from his earlier stuff-now? There are those who will say just "buy everything from JG!" Unfortunately, some titles will no doubt be OOP [Message edited by Alwin on 11-01-2000]
posted 11-01-2000 05:31 PM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	Deep Rising you really need to see in the film, because the CD just doesn't do it justice. I think it's one of Goldsmith's more underrated scores, but not anything to fret about if you can't have it. NP -- A View to a Kill DVD
posted 11-01-2000 06:15 PM PT (US)

Al Oscar® Winner	Deep Rising is one of my favorite Goldsmith albums. The ultimate horror march score, I like to call it. He goes all out with the monster motif in the score and composes many renditions of it. The finale has some of the most rousing horror/suspense music I've heard. Too bad there's not much of it. Not to mention that the score is coated with Caribbean percussion. You won't hear this in another Goldsmith horror score! The main action theme which opens and closes the album is pretty simple stuff, but it's so memorable (did I mention Caribbean percussion?) and catchy that it even rivals his Total Recall theme. These are just my thoughts though. You can pretty much read the exact same thing in my review of it on this site.
posted 11-01-2000 08:10 PM PT (US)

jonathan_little Oscar® Winner	I love the final cue on the Deep Rising disc. It's so fun to turn that one up really loud. I have to agree that Deep Rising is the best out of those three you listed. Executive Decision is pretty boring, IMO. The minute-and-a-half "The Map" cue is OK. US Marshals... I remember "hearing" this score in the film... I also remember that it had a 'main title' theme of about 5 seconds in length. Pick up a Rambo disc instead!
posted 11-01-2000 08:41 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	People! People! People! Oh. My. God. We're talking about Goldsmith, here!! Alwin has chosen three very good scores. Sure, they aren't among Goldsmith's TOP accomplishments, but they are fun nonetheless. Each of them have a unique, redeeming quality about them. If you can't hear it, then you aren't listening hard enough! I had U.S. Marshalls playing on the way to school just the other day - and gosh, that's one cool score. No question. Great driving/chillin' music. Of course, I'm not just a Goldsmith fan... I'm a Goldsmith freak. I'd recommend anything and everything buy the man. On a more personal level, I think I have a fairly good idea of what Alwin's tastes are (we converse regularly outside the board)... and I believe he'd be quite happy with the albums he listed. They're good. So... go for it, Alwin. I think you'll really enjoy 'em. Get the Rambo discs afterward. My philosophy: start at the bottom and work your way up. It's more fun that way, and you'll continually have something to look forward to. Jeron [Message edited by Jeron on 11-01-2000]
posted 11-01-2000 09:08 PM PT (US)

Rang Oscar® Winner	Of the three listed ... U.S. MARSHALS. I remember the score having a few more interesting pieces to it in the film that weren't included on the Varese CD. As a friend of mine has commented before, and I agree, it really sounds like a TV movie score. That's not an insult, though, just an observation. Surprisingly, U.S. MARSHALS is looking more and more like one of my favorite efforts by Goldsmith from the late '90s. I was immensely unimpressed with EXECUTIVE DECISION (both film and score); I liked the opening piece from DEEP RISING, but that's about it.
posted 11-01-2000 11:47 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	You know, Alwin... now that I think about it... you don't have Rudy or The River Wild. Pick one of those up instead of Executive Decision. I'll send you clips of all of these, if it'll help you make a more informative purchase. In the end, it's your call. I think you're safe either way.
posted 11-02-2000 06:38 AM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	quote: Of course, I'm not just a Goldsmith fan... I'm a Goldsmith freak ah, you're just a freak in general... NP -- Second Jungle Book, John Scott; gets better and better with each subsequent listen
posted 11-02-2000 08:40 AM PT (US)

Camillu Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by JJH: Deep Rising you really need to see in the film, because the CD just doesn't do it justice. But that would mean having to sit through the film. NP - Legend of 1900 [Message edited by Camillu on 11-02-2000]
posted 11-02-2000 09:45 AM PT (US)

Alwin Oscar® Winner	I do have Rudy! As far as The River Wild goes, I've been told Medicine Man and the Edge (both of which I have), are similar to River, so I will hold that off for a while. In general, I just like JG's action scores because a lot of them don't have that electronic "harshness" that other composers incorporate into their work. Its listenable, without getting that headache. I'm surprised no one's talked about First Knight (which I have on order)!
posted 11-02-2000 10:43 AM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	First Knight is definitely a good one. As for "The River Wild," I wouldn't compare it to "The Edge." The delicateness of "The River Wild" theme, derived from a popular song, is similar to Rudy, but only in it's feel. Not the theme itself. There is quite a bit of suspense/action music on the "River Wild" disc, so if that's what you are looking for, you'll still be on target. There's a great (and long) finale at the end. Very intense. You might also check out "Chain Reaction." That's another underrated Goldsmith score. Good stuff. Jeron [Message edited by Jeron on 11-02-2000]
posted 11-02-2000 01:05 PM PT (US)

Timmer Oscar® Winner	I think I could bin every score (almost....save a few mentioned by Lucchung) mentioned in the previous postings for one Wind And The Lion, one Sandpebbles, one Under Fire and about a hundred Goldsmith scores that are ALL better than the one's mentioned!!
posted 11-02-2000 05:22 PM PT (US)

Al Oscar® Winner	The River Wild is a must have, I think. Besides the beautiful theme, his jagged string and brass rhythmic motif underscores both the suspense of the relentless criminals and the unpredictable rapids flawlessly. This is a brilliant score in the film. As if "Little Niagara" and the other waterfalls don't already look powerful enough, Goldsmith successfully creates a sonic equivalent to the raging waters.
posted 11-02-2000 05:45 PM PT (US)

Rang Oscar® Winner	Alwin, have you seen any of these films? If you haven't, taking a look at them and absorbing as much of the respective scores as possible might be a good idea, especially if you've narrowed your selection down to just these three scores for right now. I only say that because I personally don't consider any of these scores must-haves, and by seeing the films you might be able to better judge whether you're going to want any of them. I don't say that to invalidate anyone who's expressed there opinion in this thread, because I'd guess that's exatly what you wanted: differing perspectives to help assist you in your selection. And I hope all the opinions have helped you. But I generally find that seeing a film and hearing the score in context gives me an idea of whether I'd want to own the score as a separate entity, and that approach might be of some value to you this time around. Anyway, I hope you enjoy whichever score you choose. [Message edited by Rang on 11-02-2000]
posted 11-02-2000 09:12 PM PT (US)

Darth Fart Oscar® Winner	If haven't got Rambo2, then you must put this on your must-buy list. AN amazing action score, it's a lot of fun.
posted 11-02-2000 11:56 PM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	Mr Malta, Deep Rising is an underrated film. No, it ain't the best thing since, well, me, but it is fun and fast paced. The same guy that did The Mummy also directed Deep Rising. give it a chance, man! NP -- Lake Placid, Ottman
posted 11-03-2000 06:52 AM PT (US)

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