Published on Aug 20, 1998
If there’s something to be said about action movies is that they
tend to have more exciting and catchy soundtracks than most other
types of movies. Often this happens because the music is meant to
fit the action on screen and to further move the audience’s
emotions up a few levels. Among those composers that have been
called to do these soundtracks is Hans Zimmer. He already had two
very good ones under his belt – for
Crimson Tide and
The Rock – and he goes on to do one for
The Peacemaker.
Why do I bring up the other two soundtracks? Because this
soundtrack owes a lot from the other two. The male Russian chorus
from
Crimson Tide makes an encore appearance in here. They’re
prominently featured in the opening piece, “Trains” and in the
closing piece, “Peacemaker.” Not only that, but similar cues from
those other soundtracks appear here. However, you do not seem to
mind.
The best tracks feature the main driving theme – which appears
in both “Devoe’s Revenge” and “Chase.” (You’ll one it is). This was
the reason for my purchasing the CD. This theme kicks both butt and
ass.
Probably the biggest problem with this album is that we have
heard all of this before from Zimmer. While
Crimson Tide went into the deeper, more moving side,
The Rock headed into the straightaway action ride. This
soundtrack tries to have it both ways and doesn’t hit as well as
either one.
And while the album is good, it is not as memorable as some
others. It requires that one sit down and listen to it. Besides the
main theme, you’d be pressed to remember much of the soundtrack.
Furthermore, this soundtrack can’t really be separated from its
movie. It needs it.
Overall, the soundtrack is very middle of the road. While not
bad, it won’t exactly set worlds on fire. In that way, it mirrors
the movie from where it comes from. Oh well, the main theme still
kicks ass!