Customer Reviews

Pacific Heights (1990 Film)

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This is one of Hans Zimmer's most classic soundtracks. It usually isn't mentioned in some of the biographies of Zimmer on other web sites and I DON'T KNOW WHY. This soundtrack features uniqe: percussion, sound effects, orchestration, jazzy music, classical music, blues music, ethnic music(Bluegrass, Japanese)
and of course... Suspense music. Here is a little overview of it.
1. Part I- This starts the movieout with the percussion and leads into the dessert theme(banjo theme)which is extremely clever theme, then the rythym comes into play a little clearer.Then starts Carter Hayes' spooky, seductive, gloomy theme played by a saxaphone, then repeated with some spooky orchestrations and a disturbing voice by Carmen Twille. It continues with the beggining scenes with Hayes and Ann. Then it completely skips(and I don't know why they do this)to the hotel scene where Patty is finding out who Hayes really is.
2.Part II- Is the End Credits where Hans reprises the main piano theme for Patty and Drake and makes it sound very fresh, then he reprises the dessert(banjo) theme again with a climatic build up that turns it from a simple banjo and whistle theme to a orchestrated blast, followed by reprising Carter Hayes' spooky (sax/voice) theme again also lifting this one to a huge new arrangement, and dying back down with an ending voice.
Part III- This is the start of the suspence. It starts the main theme, and the leads into the very ethhnic Japanese theme with a beautiful arrangement. Then it starts the scene where the demented Hayes stares delinquently stareing at Patty from within the base-ment. Then it goes into the scene where Drake spies on Hayes and gets a loadfull of cochroaches in his face!
Part IV- This combines 3 big suspense sequences that sound really nasty, creepy and... just plain weird. In both 3&4, Hans uses very unique sound effects that sound creepy and add very atmospheric feel to it. He used the screeching, slasher technique that sounds like a screeching violin that he uses on other action thriller soundtracks. Hardcore Zimmer fans would know what I'm talking about. He used it 6 times in Part III and twice at the elevator scene in Part I. It originated on this soundtrack. Part IV concludes with the big percussive, piano part and leads into the final reprise of the main(piano)theme.
Zimmer, himself said on a interview that this was still one of his favorite soundtracks, because you can never tell what instrument are used. I don't think that that's the best reason to like it, but he sure as heck is right, for at least the sound effects. This Soundtrack is out of print, though I'm not surprised. It's been out for 12 years, but if you can happen to stumble across one, GET IT! This is a prominent addition to any Zimmer or score fan's collection.

I was in Wal-Mart and I saw Pacific Heights DVD for 5 bucks so I bought it, enjoyed the movie, enjoyed the score(love Zimmers work, The Rock, Broken Arrow,). Soon after seeing the movie I bought the soundtrack, First Track: begins with a Broken Arrow type theme then goes in to Micheal Keaton's sax theme, good track. Second Track: the piano is played for about 2 minutes and then this is where it gets good, the Broken Arrow type theme is played again in all its glory, and Keatons theme plays with a few beats and vocals. The other tracks aren't as good lack themes, lack every thing that made the other track great. Now heres the draw back, the CD is 36 minutes long!. If your a Hans Zimmer get it anyway. Nice score, CD way to short.

If this score had the suspense music shown in the final battle bewteen Griffith and Keaton in the movie, I would have kept it since that is why I wanted it in the first place. Empty score without it, nothing great here, some moments but not enough for me.

This score is beautiful, believe me. When you play this once,you will play this forever!