The Last Castle

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

A bloody horror film of an invisible scientist and a sequel thriller with one positive highlight, an actor. Jerry Goldsmith wasn't really scoring ski high with his latest efforts and it seems partially true with the next. A big name actor (Redford) and an upcoming star (Gandolfini) are being set in a prison to stir up some more patriotism. The film overall received average critic but the film music fans were dying to find out if Goldsmith was at least fully intrigued by this effort. The answer is no, but it is still better then Hollow Man and Along Came a Spider together. The Last Castle, the name of the prison and soundtrack is nothing more then auto pilot Jerry at the helm but luckily the stakes are a bit higher then before. While nothing will be remembered after its time, there are still moments that make the score worth it, even if its all heard before in one way or another. The Last Castle is something of a soother for the fans waiting for that last burst of geniality.

First of all, don't let the running time fool you. Take the two songs away (which again bore more then before) and we have the same number as before with such efforts, around 30 minutes. Secondly, if you read the liner notes and I quote: "There was always just one choice. Just one: Jerry Goldsmith" and about the theme: "Twenty-four notes that left me in tears", it is clear that Jerry still didn't find that spark. The fan who has heard everything before will think the same about the overall sound and music coming of Goldsmith's pen. And while this is basically the worst thing, The Last Castle has still the moments and the things that make the listen perhaps interesting for some. The theme by the way for Irwin (Redford) is a direct link from Air Force One and Rambo III molded together, played with a trumpet to reborn that L.A. Confidential feeling for sure. The basic tension music has everything that we have heard before but adds a perfect powerful twist behind it to make it still interesting. 'Full Alert', 'The Count Down' and 'Taking Command' have their good spots. The track 'The Rock Pile' by the way could come from Rambo III and Air Force One like that, holding the similarities so darn close to the reality.

But if there was one thing that mesmerized me, even for its seconds it was the moment in 'The Flag' and restated in 'September 11, 2001 - Theme from The Last Castle'. Simply because I feel it are the most intriguing seconds of the last years coming of Goldsmith, stated on 4.10 exactly in 'The Flag' and reprised later in the following. This was merely the only moment that moved me so much, basically because it was something brand new coming of the composer. And even if you look at it, it is still not enough. It might be sufficient for some but I think true Goldsmith fans were hoping for a bit more in the end. I can appreciate The Last Castle but overall its nothing memorable to think back at. I don't know what lies in store for us score fans in the future (more then presumably the tenth Star Trek film) but that is still something of a mystery. But it feels so far that Goldsmith can not end his impressive career with a bang. And I hope he sees it my way: "if I can't end it with a bang, then I continue searching until it happens for sure". So Goldsmith fans and overall admirers can still dream and hope for what to come.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Castle (1.32)

2. Irwin Arrives (2.11)

3. The Rock Pile (5.00)

4. Get Behind The Mule: John Hammond (5.52)

5. Let's Go Ladies (2.36)

6. Full Heart (2.51)

7. Military Justice (2.18)

8. The Count Down (2.20)

9. Hold Them (1.49)

10. Taking Command (3.34)

11. The Flag (5.51)

12. September 11, 2001 - Theme From The Last Castle (2.42)

13. Chiseled In Stone: Dean Hall (3.48)

Total Length: 43.08

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

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