Film Music Editor: Ian Lace
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FILM MUSIC RECORDINGS REVIEWS


 

Don DAVIS Universal Soldier The Return   Performed by the composer    VARÈSE SARABANDE VSD-6068 [49:21]

 

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After Arnold Schwarzenegger struck gold with Total Recall and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, there was a horrible time when it looked as if the muscle-bound action men were taking over from real actors. Sylvester Stallone made a box-office comeback with Cliffhanger and Demolition Man, Steven Segal had a bona fide box-office smash with Under Siege, and Jean-Claude Van Damme did better than he ever should in Hard Target, Timecop and Universal Soldier. This latter title, a cheap Terminator 2 imitation made by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich as a step on the way to Stargate and Independence Day, proved to be Van Damme's greatest hit. So much so that there are now two simultaneously released sequels. Universal Soldier II is a straight-to-video TV series pilot, while Universal Soldier The Return is Van Damme's 'official' follow-up. Bargain-basement video fare, it has somehow escaped into cinemas.

Given that the acclaimed science fiction action movie The Matrix catapulted Don Davis into the major league, it is surprising to find this is his follow-up project, so presumably the contracts were signed long before the former film was made. The packaging is typically minimal for a Varese Sarabande release, but at least the playing time exceeds Varese's all too common 30 minutes. The cover declares that the music is composed and performed by Don Davis, so with the exception of Jason Miller's guitars it appears this is an entirely synthesised recording. Frighteningly, such is the quality of modern samples, it is very difficult to tell: the album sounds like a combination of orchestra and electronics in typically modern military action style.

This isn't the place to come looking for tunes. Virtually the entire score consists of hard-edged suspense and combat 'Mickey-mouse' music. Davis offers lots of snare tattoos, brooding atmospheric textures, hammering, anvil-like percussion, atonal piano and fast sequenced riffs. Three tracks sound like heavy metal instrumentals, complete with squealing electric guitar. Doubtless this is appropriate, given that the film is cinema what heavy metal is to music. The best than can be said is that it is relentlessly efficient, thoroughly professional, and doubtless serves Universal Soldier The Return as well as anything might. Unfortunately, it is also utterly generic, sounding much like the accompaniment to many second-rate modern action movies. Coming full circle, it is the sort of thing Jerry Goldsmith started with his excellent score for Total Recall, but that was almost a decade ago and was an original from the pen of a master. This is not, and as an independent listening-experience, it just might enhance a game of 'Action Man'.

Reviewer

Gary S. Dalkin


Reviewer

Gary S. Dalkin

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