Customer Reviews

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (Original Score)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This, like 'Mon and Dad Save the Earth' displays Jerry Goldsmith's ability to create suspense and humor, often at the same time. Short and sweet, this disc is worth owning by anyone who enjoys fine orchestral music as well as Goldsmith's scores.

"The Visitors" in particular puts the mix of moods and elements present in this score on display... it almost answers the question, "What would it sound like if Spike Jones and the City Slickers were to score a horror film?"

Other high points are "Cute" (where the Gizmo theme is contrasted with the theme of the mad scientist portrayed by Christopher Lee), the nifty action tracks "Pot Luck," and "Teenage Mutant Gremlins," "Keep in Quiet," and "Gremlin Pudding"--the similarity that another reviewer pointed out to James Bond themes was an accurate one and that's what makes these tracks so much fun! (Do my ears deceive me, or is that "The Omen" that's being quoted toward the end of "Gremlin Pudding"?) And the closing tune--"Gremlin Credits"--is great both for its presentation of a slightly skewed reprise as well as the "rag" version of the Gremlin theme from the first movie. "The Gremlin Rag" is definately one of Goldsmith's best themes.

Most of the above tracks (as well as the ones I don't mention) also make great use of elements of the Gremlins theme to great effectiveness. A great effort all around.

There are only two complaints I can voice, which is why I knocked off a star--I wanted more "Gremlins Rag"! (The only time it's really heard here is on the "Gremlins Credits" track. But this is a slightly unfair criticism; I bought this CD hoping to get that track as it was why I loved the original score so much, now unplayable by yours truly because my turn-table broke and it's not available on CD at present.)

That aside, this is a worthwhile addition ot the collection of any Goldsmith fan, whether you've seen the movie to which this score belongs or not. It stands fine on its own.

Director Joe Dante gives this sequel a more light-hearted, sort of spoof to the original outing. Mogwai once again spawns little creatures that raise cane within the entire story-line, but with one difference...here they are not as violent, but rather silly and goofy in temperament. Dante brings out the madcap "keystone cops" antics...although none of this would work, but for our maestro Jerry Goldsmith.

Goldsmith's score is the main character in this fun-filled-comedy, each cue has his signature on it. Must mention the stand outs ~ "LEAKY FAUCET", "POT LUCK" (would make a great James Bond film title theme), GREMLIN PUDDING", all three tracks are "Pure Goldsmith"...but the highlight has to be ~ "GREMLIN CREDITS", orchestra gets into the swing of things with a full workout, as Goldsmith pulls out all the stops with brass, percussion, strings overlays of each theme interwoven into one brilliant tapestry.

Goldsmith's other scores from Varese Sarabande are all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Final Conflict" (Varese Sarabande VSD-5282), "Lionheart" (Varese Sarabande VSD-5484), "Rudy" (Varese Sarabande VSD-5446), "In Session:A Film Music Celebration" (Varese Sarabande 302-066-225-2)...check out my reviews ....

A big thank you to ~ Robert Townson (executive producers), always first class quality releases, Arthur Morton (orchestration) and of course the man responsible for the wonderful time we had ~ JERRY GOLDSMITH!

Total Time: 39:26 on 12 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande VSD-5269 ~ (1990)

This score has its moments, but it is a bit too 'wacky' for my tastes...

The end track is a keeper though, Jerry integrates the original Gremlins theme with some ideas from Gremlins 2, which creates a very enjoyable five-minute finale for this album.

Buy it for the "Gremlins Credits!"

The album has a playing time of about 39 minutes.

Once again Varese Sarabande either puts so much or very little onto their soundtrack CDs. Sadly, for fans of this movie, they have opted for the latter. Much like the release of Die Hard 2, the tracks included here are the lesser, uninvolving and unexciting cues.

The movie is filled with wonderful, bizarre and (using a word I usually hate) zany music which drives the fast-paced action along brilliantly. The sequel a great deal busier and livelier than the first and one can tell this just by listening to the action packed score.

But this is not the score that is on the CD. The tracks 'Pot Luck' and 'Teenage Mutant Gremlins' are the only tracks with a rythmn or beat in places and the only tracks really worth listening to. Except of course the last track 'Gremlins Credits' which revists the best themes of the film (some not even included on the CD) and features the wacky and cartoonish Gremlins theme played out in a gloriously silly style. As expected. For this one track alone it is worth buying this CD.

It is still a real shame that Varese Sarabande never thought to include every musical cue from the film. One can only hope they re-release this as a 'Deluxe Edition' like they did with Goldsmith's scores for 'The Omen' and 'Total Recall'.

Jerry Goldsmith shows the depth of his skill in this offbeat soundtrack, which runs through an incredible variety of different moods and styles. My favorite track is "Pot Luck", a high-energy, aggressive brass fanfare with a compelling beat, which then shifts to a horrific hiss of synthesizers and chords of doom as the gremlins reproduce. "Cute" is also a wonderful track, alternating Gizmo's song (Howie Mandell's vocalization) with a wonderful, campy evil-scientist's-lab tune, for Christopher Lee's theme. The Dizzy gremlin's theme provides a great deal of humor to the score, with its boings, quacks, and other odd sound effects. The only way this score could have been even better and more true to the spirit of the film would have been to end it up with a track of the gremlins singing "New York, New York." :o) But there are no other disappointments here!

I don't know about you but i just LOVE all of Jerry Goldsmith's scores, for any movie. My fav being "Gremlins 2". The real stand-out tracks i really like are CUTE, LEAKY FAUCET, POT LUCK, TEENAGE MUTANT GREMLINS, GREMLIN PUDDING. I only wish they would come out with a better soundtrack for this really FUNNY movie...with more scores like they did with the first Gremlins. Goldsmith does a great job at making this movie come to life!

Goldsmith is undoubtedly one of the best film composers around, and his work for director Joe Dante compromises some of his best work. This is a case in point. His brilliant orchestral writing here displays an exhilirating out of control style that perfectly complements the cartoonish film. Frequently you have no idea what bizarre musical parody or device awaits round the next corner, & it is that that keeps you hooked, & makes Gremlins 2 a unique & essential purchase in the Goldsmith discography.

Not only is the sound quality excellent, but the music itself is fun and exciting. A great sequel score that works on its own. I just wish there was even more music (some of my favorite cues from the movie are missing on the album).

When I first bought this CD I was satisfied, but not overly. Then over the period of a year, every now and then I would find myself humming tunes from it. I love the catchy, funny music. The only other way to describe it would be "gremliny", it is just like the first movie soundtrack, but better. This is a CD I listen to over and over throughout the year. Good stuff! My favourite of Jerry Goldsmith's stuff. Don't let the lack of five stars discourage you. I just did that for people who have never heard seen the movie.

This CD soundtrack opens (as it does in the movie) with a bright, brass fanfare entitled "Just You Wait". When I first heard this track, it reminded me of the music to the TV series "L.A. Law" - which is similar in both style and rhythm to the beginning of this track. It also contains a passage similar to 1991's "Hook", before moving onto a Chinese theme to represent New York City's Chinatown district. Track 2 (Gizmo Escapes) is a haunting theme played by the organ. This is one of the more memorable themes in Gremlins 2: The New Batch. The composer fills the score with electronic sounds (especially in the scenes after the new Gremlins come into existence). The music is playful in these scenes, and conveys well the mischievous activities the Gremlins get up to in Billy Peltzer's office. The speed of the music gathers momentum, as the Gremlins do their worst to the Clamp Center. The song "Can You Read My Mind", from John Williams' score of "Superman", is subtly incorporated into the music when our hero, Gizmo, tackles the Gremlins himself. The brief score includes few memorable moments, these being the main theme to Gremlins, "Gizmo Escapes", and "Just You Wait". There is one pleasant theme that stands out amongst the others. This theme is calm and quiet. It is beautiful in its tone, and is sprinkled in several places throughout the score including the End Credits. The sweet tones of the woodwind create a wonderfully dreamy atmosphere. However, for all its memorable moments, the brevity of the score leaves the listener feeling slightly empty-handed.