K2: Music Inspired By The Film [Soundtrack]

Hans Zimmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1992)
• Original Release Date: September 15, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000014SP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ascent

2. The Descent

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT the original score, August 12, 2000

By 

snowleopard (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K2: Music Inspired By The Film (Audio CD)

This is not the original score used in the film. That score, by Chaz Jankel, is sadly locked in a vault somewhere. And that's too bad, as Jankel's work was beautifully melodic and very befitting of the film. Zimmer's work, apparently once considered for use, was not used. Yet somehow, it was released as "inspired by the film".

That said, this work by Zimmer is neither his best, nor his worst. It contains two long pieces, with swelling music of symphonic keyboard work, and Pete Haycock's electric guitar. At times the music is dramatic, and at others, bombastic. Recommended for hard core Zimmer fans only. For those just getting into his work, other scores (The Rock, Black Rain, etc.) are much more worth looking into.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent early Zimmer score..., April 18, 2001

By 

Tom Walker (Oxford, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K2: Music Inspired By The Film (Audio CD)

Here in England K2 was released with this score instead of the one many other reviewers have raved about. The two tracks are slightly annoying for being so long, especially as there are some clear gaps where a new track mark would have helped. Aside from such petty points, the score is pretty good as a showcase for Zimmer's extraordinary synthesizer music which has become so much more famous in recent years. The thing I liked least about the whole thing was the Pete Haycock electric guitar stuff that feels like a stamp staying "this film was made in the early 90's" whereas the synthesizers alone could work just as well in a film today. The main theme is terrific at bringing across the feel of a huge, awe-inspiring yet dangerous mountain and I felt it fit the film really well, in many cases adding real power to some of the great wide location shots. The music reaches a couple of major climaxes, simliar to Crimson Tide or Backdraft, and you really get that heart-rousing feeling that only Zimmer (or his proteges at Media Ventures) can give. The second of the two is the music that accompanies the wonderful climactic shot where the helicopter hovers up into view right at the end. So those of you out there who can't get your hands on the European version, play track 2 9m 30s over that helicopter shot and you'll get a feel for just how amazing Zimmer's music is for the film.

I would agree with a previous reviewer in saying that this is not necessarily suited to Zimmer newcomers but once initiated through the likes of Backdraft / Crimson Tide / The Rock, it's a welcome addition to his repetoire. I give it four stars instead of five, a) because it's too short considering how much more music there was in the film and b) because Mr. Haycock's guitar is just a bit too cheesy for comfort.

Other similar scores worth checking out: Broken Arrow, The Peacemaker, 4 tracks from The Lion King, Point of No Return, Speed, Twister, Armageddon, Enemy of the State, Con Air, Deep Blue Sea.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Please note this is not the amazing music used in the film!!, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: K2: Music Inspired By The Film (Audio CD)

This album is very misleading online and take into account that this is not the same music that the movie K2 offers. It has a brief intro with the same solos but it doesn't even hold a candle to the film. Instead of heart stopping guitar, it's filled with goofy keyboard music that niether flows nor keeps the listeners intrest. It's no wonder that this album wasn't used for the actual film!