Air Force One

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Whatever people considered of Wolfgang Petersen's patriotic flash upon the number 1 plane of the world, it was both exciting and intensely riveting. And whatever to think of Wolfgang Petersen's decision to throw Randy Newman of the set is entirely your choice of who you love the most, jazzy Randy or legendary Jerry. I haven't heard the rejected score so far (hearing though enough good word about it) and I also haven't heard the expanded bootleg (the one containing the additional music by Joel McNeely) but I do know what the music on the Varese Sarabande release sounds like. Not long for most people but perhaps just enough do decide what was all the trouble about. Air Force One isn't the best of Goldsmith, that's for sure. But in the end it gave the film all its glory (over emphasized or not that's your call) and it delivered some boost on album. But you still have to see it in other ways: how was Randy Newman's composed score? How was Joel McNeely's additional set of tone and what does the bootleg offer more than the original? I don't know the answers but still, the score by Goldsmith is solid and has moments that will get fans crazy for, positively or negatively.

It isn't difficult to pick up the patriotic side of the score from the first minute with a total overblown main theme. But the thing is, everyone will like it when it appears this way. 'The Parachutes' is then also an excellent start to the score, with suspension music continuing the show for the rest of the time. Almost each track offers a patriotic swelling of the theme and even short but perfect in the very quiet 'No Security'. One thing I will not hear fans complaining about is the main theme itself, a mix of The Edge's emotional theme, First Contact's broad main theme and a dash of patriotism surrounding it. The most suspenseful track is the longest, 'The Hijacking' which offers thrill and excitement and a load of powerful suspension with a theme that was already briefly stated in track 1. More suspension follows in 'Escape from Air Force One' and a immense overblown version of the main theme (I like it) in the final track 'Welcome Aboard, Sir'. It is all not that intriguing to hear, especially considering that Goldsmith didn't have a lot of time to compose the back up score but the more it ignites the better and Goldsmith on three weeks is still the better than one of 6 weeks, or perhaps I could be wrong about that, considering Randy Newman's effort with intriguing anticipation.

The score does boost and it gives a theme that sells each time, but even for its running time I enjoy it on an occasion, but I don't really listen to it often. Perhaps it is the undeniable quality loss because of the short time, perhaps it is that Air Force One does link itself close to efforts I'm not truly crazy for either (Executive Decision and U.S. Marshals, and lately even The Last Castle). And perhaps we haven't heard the full picture yet. However, Air Force One would have failed with a lot of composers and that is the compliment you can give to Jerry Goldsmith with 100%. The score is patriotic so those who love that style will get the pleasure out of it. Even I am getting a lot of pleasure out of the annual listen but I must admit that it isn't that stimulating, even for its short listen. Its fun but perhaps missing a bit of magic. Also the versatility on tone (none) remains a weak spot. But that also means that Goldsmith succeeded in pleasing the director in several weeks than Randy Newman in god knows how many, you have to give credit to Goldsmith for delivering it each time.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Parachutes (5.21) Excellent Track

2. The Motorcade (2.42)

3. Empty Rooms (3.50)

4. The Hijacking (7.52) Excellent Track

5. No Security (3.05)

6. Free Flight (4.53)

7. Escape From Air Force One (5.27)

8. Welcome Aboard, Sir (2.11) Excellent Track

Total Length: 35.42

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=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===