Customer Reviews

Universal Soldier: The Return - Original Motion Picture Score

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When I bought this movie on video not too long ago and discovered that a lot of heavy metal songs underscore the fighting, I didn't think there would be all that much of a score. My first full listen of this CD proved me wrong!

I'm just guessing here, but the tracks on this CD which contain a lot of guitar riffs sound like they are meant to come before or after a song by a metal band (i.e. "Jet Ski Spree" or "Unisol Assault") I'll have to watch the movie again to see how correct that assumption is, but otherwise, the score CD really keeps your adrenaline running and your imagination churning!

Usually when film scores are all synthesized and no orchestra is featured, the result usually is on the negative side, such as Don Davis' score to Ballistic: Ecks VS. Sever. This is not true with Universal Soldier: The Return. This score does sound like an orchestra was used in parts, but mainly you can tell that synthesizers are in command. "Target: Devereaux" is the main theme with a propulsive and driving rhythm, accompanied by pounding synth percussion and bells. "Jet Ski Spree" and "Unisol Assault" are 2 of the weaker tracks with heavy electric guitar licks played over heavy synth pads, which tend to give you a headache. "Hillary Remembers" gives us a break from all the hard hitting action music that is found everywhere else in the score with a gentle piano played over synthesized strings. The remainder of the music is of the action variety with heavy, driving percussive rhythms and forward thrusting synths. This score would have sounded much better had an orchestra of been used, but the synths did make it work. This is one of the better synth led scores i've heard in a while.

The movie opens with a really cool metal song. And has a fine collection of hard rock songs.. Just the right kind of music to be related with the intense aggression of the movie itself! The scenes are intensified more with the tracks.. the more the noise.. the more the excitement!