Customer Reviews

Hard Rain

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

 

 

"Hard Rain" is good action adventure film, with a great soundtrack. Like all good scores, the music complements the on-screen action, and enhances the film. But taken out of context of the movie, Christopher Young's music easily stands on its own as a fine orchestral work.

Most of the score is up-tempo and exciting, at times reminiscent of something from an "Indiana Jones" film. There are some quiet moments, but they generally do not last very long, and then it's "off to the races" again.

The movie takes place in a town that is flooded during a rainstorm, and the music seems appropriate to the theme of struggle, as man battles against the overwhelming forces of nature, and also his fellow man. At its best, the music is bold and driving, keeping pace with the water splashing action. The water and rain are everywhere, and though the tempo of the music varies, the musical tone remains the same, as if reflecting the constant setting. Performed by the London Metropolitan orchestra, the sound is always rich and full, and occasionally tinged by the sad sound of the harmonica.

The CD contains over 51 minutes of quality content. The only vocals are on the final track, "Flood", performed by the group Jars of Clay during the end credits.

I got this unappreciated gem as a "cutout", and it quickly became one of my favorites. If you liked this soundtrack, you might also consider the soundtrack for "Deep Rising".

A masterpiece of action-adventure-disaster film music!!!Probably the best of Chris Young after "Copycat".Keep up the good work!!

A great soundtrack! I loved it the first time I heard it, and I have never spent my money on something as good as this! And Jars Of Clay are just as good! Before I bought it, I had never heard of them. If you want good tunes, get this!

First, let me say that I didn't hate this soundtrack. In many places, it's quite good. It does hammer on pretty heavily, but I suppose that's due to the pacing of the film. The only thing I wish I'd have noticed before purchasing this item was the presence of a harmonica in the score. With deference to the composer, it's used well, I'm just not a big fan of this particular instrument in orchestral settings.

Overall, as a fan of soundtracks I wouldn't discourage anyone from purchasing "Hard Rain", there's quite a bit to enjoy here. However, I think that the painful inclusion of the harmonica means there's a bit to cringe at as well.

Forever assigned to horror movie scores, once in a while Chris Young scores an action movie, and man...is Hard Rain action-packed, with just a hint of horror thrown in.

With only two themes (chronicling the power of nature), Hard Rain does something new and different; a specific beat carries the score. And within this beat Chris Young throws in blasting brass sections, rambunctious strings and pounding bass.

Since there is no real character development in the film there is no need for individual themes. The whole film takes place in real time with a consistent atmosphere. The good guys and bad guys switch loyalties every five minutes, the rain doesn't let up and time runs out faster and faster. The score matches the panic and increasing desperation of the characters by being nothing more than wall to wall fury. The action cues are so vivid you can almost see the gunshots and bullets shredding your living room.

Kicking off immediately with the main theme and launching into an overture indicating the doom of the oncoming flood, the Hard Rain score soon falls into the groove of violent, sometimes scary cues all to a nervous beat. Occasionally, amid the violence and sometimes full orchestral carnage, some genuine horror moments creep in. In track six 'The Church Attack', before the major action cues blow up, an almost chilling string crescendo lends a unique touch.

Now out of print, I'd recommend picking it up whenever you find it. The CD is 55 minutes of relentless action and, quite appropriately, ends with a song by Jars of Clay called 'Flood' featured at the end of the film.

Christopher Young, who has scored a number of films in a wide variety of genres, especially the horror and suspense genre, creates a knock your socks off action score. As described in the liner notes, a very large orchestral ensemble (The London Metropolitan Orchestra) was used with woodwinds grouped in threes, along with 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and a tuba. Surprisingly 8 french horns were also used. Young says he decided to go with a larger-than-ordinary brass section to show the omnipotent power of the water. He didn't want this to be much of a thematic score, even though there is one present, but he wanted to give brute strength to the film. Lots of synthetic percussion grooves, in addition to 6 percussionists playing live were also used. A harmonica, representing the setting for the film was employed in some of the cues, being played by Jean "Toots" Thielemans and Adam Glasser. I wouldn't want to get too close to this Toots guy if you know what I mean. Two themes are present. The first is the water theme being played by the 8 french horns and the second is the mother nature theme being played by the harmonica. "Hard Rain" introduces the heroic water theme. "The Jet Ski Chase (Part 1)", has the brass taking turns on several rhythms with repeated horn lines added. Other cues to mention are "The Jail Cell (Part 1)", "The Jail Cell (Part 2)", "The Church Attack", "Kenny Dies", "The Church Chase (Part 1)", "Locked Up", and "The Church Chase (Part 2)". All of these cues repeat the main theme in several spots with some cool orchestrated rhythms. The reason why the score didn't get 5 stars is because the pulse pounding brasses, bombastic percussion and synth grooves do tend to wear you down a little. There are some quieter moments in the score, but these are not as good as the action music. I love action music, just not entirely this much in a 50 minute setting.