Lassie

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Basil Poledouris was always good in scoring family films, so why would he not score the greatest friend of all if he enters our cinema, again. Lassie is of course widely known as the closest friend you can find today and director Daniel Petrie (Cocoon: The Return) chose the perfect composer for the job. If there is one that can pour emotion and family love into a feature film, it has to be Basil Poledouris for sure. Though the effect isn't earth shattering, the soundtrack listens good for a music fan and a friend keen to hear more of Poledouris' side. The main theme is one of those little gifts with any score of Basil and it indeed flavors up the emotional feel, making Lassie no winner but just the right listen that can do miracles when you want to.

The score first of all leans very closely to one of the best Free Willy. It has the same abundance in tone and overall this friendly flair. It made Free Willy one of the best of the genre and it lesser ways makes Lassie a charming listen. The main theme usually gets a lot of attention in these kind of scores and its best outings are witnessed in 'Lassie (Main Title)', the very brightly shining 'Morning Glory' and for all its worth in 'Return / Reunion'. The more adventurous and dangerous music leans more to the side of Hot Shots! Part Deux, in the tracks 'The Diary / Wolf Attack', Lassie Protects the Herd' and 'Lassie Saves Matt', especially here in full heroic pride more then once. And when it concerns the more friendly feel it has winks towards Kimberly and even to The Blue Lagoon, several versions of the main theme link itself towards the 'Love Theme (Emmeline)'. But all what Lassie breaths is its own uniqueness and this makes it a charming listen on its own for sure.

In the end I have to mention that Lassie doesn't inspire me that much, because I hardly listen to it but the time given is just enough to try it out on several occasions. Basil Poledouris wrote in that respect better family dramas (Free Willy) but the score has merit and overall it delivers more in the hands of Poledouris then who else in the business. So I can say without doubt that big Poledouris fans will enjoy the time without a problem in the sky. For others it might be seek and try before seek and purchase. Lassie is good when it reaches the really interesting moments and for some it is all they need and ask for. In that respect the family drama doesn't need more then just a good old Poledouris at the steering wheel, with lassie backing up the slips he makes.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Lassie (Main Title) (1.55)

2. Accident (3.13)

3. Morning Glory (2.29)

4. The Diary / Wolf Attack (4.58)

5. New Beginnings (2.52)

6. Commitment (2.41)

7. Lassie Protects The Herd (2.51)

8. Rustling (3.04)

9. Lassie Saves Matt (10.24)

10. Return / Reunion (3.20)

Total Length: 38.02

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Basil Poledouris ===