Customer Reviews

A View to a Kill

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

 

 

John Barry has written some of the most beautiful and memorable film music ever composed. He is most noted, however, for his work on the James Bond movies. Other composers have succeeded him, but none have duplicated the magic that he brings to the Bond films. Along with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," this album is a seminal example of his work; it features some of the most exciting music written for the Bond films. The moment I heard the themes in the movie, I committed myself to finding the soundtrack on CD. I am disappointed that the score is not extended, but the included tracks do very well in representing the overall themes in the film. In addition, the remastered edition makes much better use of the surround channels. The Japanese import focused too much on the center channel. The new mix spreads the orchestra to the left and right, providing the effect of a much fuller sound. The sound is even detailed more. I took a chance and bought this soundtrack a second time in the hopes that the sound quality was improved. It is an understatement to say that I was not disappointed.

This would be the last film for Roger Moore as James Bond. Perhaps sensing this, John Barry composed a rather elegiac score. John Barry composed 3 previous scores for the Roger Moore Bond films: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, MOONRAKER and OCTOPUSSY. A VIEW TO A KILL is a rather endearing score several times highlighting Bond's personification of the old fashioned and noble hero somehow in the twilight of a world where nice guys can still save both the day and the girl. From an action point of view "Snow Job" one of the best cuts on this CD. It is very reminiscent of the driving main title from ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and demonstrates the energy and determination of James Bond. "Pegasus' Stable" has a very good stealthy quality to it similar to "The Spa" and "Switching the Body" from THUNDERBALL. Two haunting pieces: "Destroy Silicon Valley" and "May Day Bombs Out" are strangely reminiscent of GOLDFINGER and ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE which also interestingly demonstrate on several occasions the concept of time running out. "Wine with Stacey" is my favorite track on this CD. It is a simple yet beautiful haunting melody that once again hearkens back to the romanticism and noble qualities of the character. The main title song performed by Duran Duran is an excellent piece and is a standout of the series. For me it is an uplifting song with a great beat that really accentuates an idea that you are as young as you feel. I like this CD much better than the Japanese import. It sounds richer and the audio levels are even throughout.

In "A View to a Kill," Barry is in fine form, including many instances of the exciting themes we associate with 007 movies. To me, the highlight of the movie was tracks where Barry mixes traditional Bond thematic elements with tunes based upon the Duran Duran theme (such as the Wine with Stacy cut). However, the album to me and others is rather disappointing, as it is missing important parts of the score. Others have mentioned Bond's arrival at Zorin's estate, Stacey's arrvial, the Fanfare, and Bond dangling from the Zorin Airship. Personally, I was looking for the music from the State Office Building rooftop scene is my favorite cut from the movie, the main reason I bought the album, but that is also missing from the Soundtrack CD. I imagine if Capitol Records ever comes out with a more complete soundtrack album from this movie, there'd be a high demand for it from fans like myself, but don't hold your breath.

For the first time ever, the soundtrack for A View To A Kill is available in the USA. The music is stunning and John Barry composes a score above his high standards. John Barry creates an action-filled score that is remeniscent of Goldfinger. The title song is a record for James Bond history. It is the only one that charted at #1. It got #2 in the UK. Duran Duran performs the blasted rock song that is a favorite of many Bond fans, including
me. It really proves that no matter if the title song is a soothing melody of Nancy Sinatra or a rock blast of Duran Duran, the Bond songs are always a hit! Snow Job is the key track here, which is a energized action-filled source of music that shows the true talent of John Barry. Pegasus' Stable is a mysterious suspensful track that does very well for the film and the soundtrack alone. Bond Meets Stacey and Wine With Stacy are two romantic tracks that echo the title song in them, yet have a dignified feel that makes them outstanding. Bond Underwater is yet another good suspensful track. Golden Gate Fight is the tension-filled action track that is quite similar to Snow Job. The soundtrack ends with end-title track of A View To A Kill by Duran Duran again. With 15 tracks and stunning music, action and romantic alike, the score for A View To A Kill is a perfect combination that play in the last performance of Roger Moore as 007. The score is magnificent and so is John Barry!

This is a great movie with a GREAT soundtrack, and THE ABSOLUTE BEST let me say it again BEST TRACKS ARE LEFT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Shootout In Stacy's House, the part where Zorin picks up stacy and bond grabs on to the rope and goes for a ride over San Fransisco are just two examples of the great pieces. My advice...WAIT...yes...wait for the RE-REMASTERED version to come out(if they make one which I bet they will). If you are impatient then try to get one REALLY CHEAP.

A View to a Kill is a great score from the legendary John Barry, who has done pretty much all of the James Bond films up until 1989. I wish he'd come back and do the score to the next James Bond film. A few pieces of music are missing though from the movie, such as when Bond is attacked in Siberia and escapes but they never finish the music. Another piece missing is where Bond and Tibbett arrive at the Zorin's chateau in France. I think the most important piece that's missing is when Stacy gets taken by Zorin for a ride in the blimp and Bond hangs on to the rope going to the Golden Gate Bridge. The music that leads to the climax is always important! The best part of the album is that the music is very much James Bond and incorporates, at the time, a more modern theme to the music. Duran Duran's song is still awesome to this day and can still hold a candle to any crappy song out there today! Overall, a great job well done!

While this score is one of Barry's greaat masterpieces, and is now even better remastered, it is still missing crucial tracks, like Bond's arrival at Zorin's estate, Stacey's arrvial, the Fanfare, and Bond dangling from the Zorin Airship. I hope in the near future, the albums will be released again with the missing tracks.

Much like the movie, playing it a second time after many years, this soundtrack also felt dated. Also the French song from the movie that could be heard from the headphones of the milkman assassin isn't included! What gives?!