Customer Reviews

Wrestler

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

 

 

The only major song "missing" from this soundtrack is Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler." (UPDATE: Not true. Another reviewer reminded me that GNR's "Sweet Child" is also missing. I totally forgot about that one!)

Granted, that's a pretty big omission because the song IS the movie. It perfectly sums up The Wrestler and comes at a crucial moment in the film. However, I can understand the omission because, from what I've read, Springsteen gave director Darren Aronofsky the song for free. Perhaps Springsteen didn't want to have to charge to include the song on this soundtrack. Or maybe he wanted to charge too much. Who knows? It's not here, which is a shame.

Despite that glaring omission, to address something a previous reviewer mentioned, the song Randy and Cassidy dance to in the bar IS on the disc. It's "Round and Round" by Ratt. I don't remember hearing Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" in the movie. Maybe it was there. Maybe it wasn't. If it was, it was on for such a split second that it didn't even register with me. So it not being on the soundtrack is no big loss.

One thing I noticed is that the version of Quiet Riot's "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" included on the soundtrack is NOT the version from the 1980s. It's a version with new vocals recorded in 2006. I think the movie uses the 1980s version because I don't recall the extra vocal flourishes the late Quiet Riot singer Kevin Dubrow added to the version recorded in 2006. Expecting to hear the classic 1980s version, but getting instead the re-recorded 2006 version, was kind of irritating. The 1980s version was perfect in every way, and it's a song I grew up listening to. So the new version isn't an improvement. It's a step down.

The other thing the soundtrack lacks is the incidental music, the few guitar notes played during poignant scenes in the movie.

The soundtrack includes contemporary hip-hop songs that, if they were in the movie, played such a minor roll that they weren't noticeable. On the soundtrack, however, they're quite noticeable. They stick out like sore thumbs. I would have left them off the soundtrack

So, okay, there you have it: (1) No Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler," (2) A different vocal performance on "Bang Your Head," (3) No Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" (if that song was even in the movie), (4) No emotional incidental music, (5) Hip-hop songs that seem incongruous sandwiched in between really great metal songs, and (6) No GNR's "Sweet Child O' Mine" (which plays at a key moment in the movie).

While those omissions (and additions) may seem significant to some people, perhaps most people, I still think this is an incredibly fun soundtrack, pulling together some of the best songs the 1980s metal scene had to offer, including "Don't Walk Away" by Firehouse (which was actually released in 1990), "Round and Round" by Ratt, "Dangerous" by Slaughter, "Balls to the Wall" by Accept, and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" by Cinderella.

So the soundtrack isn't perfect. It could have been. But it's not.

Think of it this way: Randy "The Ram" Robinson was flawed, too. Yet, he's one of the most empathetic, endearing characters Hollywood has produced in decades.

I'm willing to give the soundtrack a chance to grow on me.

How about you?

I also enjoyed this CD even though, as a previous reviewer mentioned, there are some flaws and some missing songs. One song which is also missing, and has not been mentioned, is "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses, which is also used at a critical point in the film -- when Cassidy is trying to talk Ram out of going into the ring for his final match, and Ram explains to her that the ring is where he truly belongs. I understand that this song was also given to the filmmakers for free, so perhaps it was also a licensing issue which kept this song off the soundtrack. But I enjoyed the movie so much that I wanted the soundtrack as a "souvenir" of the film, until the DVD arrives next month. I just make my own "soundtrack" by adding "Sweet Child" and "The Wrestler" songs to the end of the CD.

Director Darren Aronofsky has talked about the small music budget for the film, which has made for the release of an incomplete soundtrack.

Axl Rose - due to his friendship with actor Mickey Rourke - allowed the use of Sweet Child o' Mine in the movie at a fraction of the typical cost, but it is not included on the soundtrack. Also missing on the album is Bruce Springsteen's The Wrestler, the original version of Quiet Riot's Bang Your Head (Metal Health) - it is a "remix" from several years ago - and the incidental music used in the movie.

The album is a neat 1980s FM rock radio sampler, with a couple solid hip-hop tracks in the mix, which should suffice as long as a fan is not concerned about having a complete package of music.

This is a awesome cd this cd is fun and enjoyable to listen to. The best songs on this disc are all of them

I loved this movie when it came out. I also loved the music that was playing when I was watching. It took me back to the 80's when in my opinion Heavy Metal was at it's top. Every song rocks and I was pleasantly impressed by Rhino Bucket and have since ordered two of their CD's. The song Dangerous by Slaughter is also very good. You won't be disappointed in buying this product.

I love the mix of artist on this soundtrack .It is a fun soundtrack for a Saturday night party. The tracks range from the unsung bands from the eighties,current hip Hop icons to unknown acts that have good tunes. I am going to buy this and the dvd ,then invite all my friends over and have Wrestler night.

Loved this CD--the only downside to it is it doesn't have Guns 'n' Roses Sweet Child of Mine on it. I agree that it should have been included. I downloaded this whole CD onto my Ipod and it makes great workout music for the 80's fan. A great CD for an excellent movie!

it's nice n all to have the songs from the film, but it would be even better to have the few songs that were the score as well.i know that they wouldn't fit well in-between the 80s rock and would be distractions but it would still be nice to have them;maybe on the blu ray there will be downloads or something.

I saw this movie but was disappointed with the soundtrack--not all the songs were included--where is the Ted Nugent song Stranglehold and the song Mickey dances and sings to in the bar with Melisa Tormet. Also--where is the Bruce Springsteen title song--left out--what a mistake. Too many rap songs and not enough rock. Avoid this one!!!!!!

OH MY GOSH!! SPARE US THE GRIEF!!! This so called movie was an absolute joke. A complete waste of film, time, and money. Anyone who even remotley entertained the thought of enjoying this thing should consider a catscan. Mickey Rourke has had some great movies. But this is NOT one of them. Theres no story, no plot, no life, NOTHING!! Save your money on this one folkes. Even if you find it on amazon for a dollar. Don't waste it.