SpaceCamp

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

John Williams was somewhat in a slow period when he accepted to score the movie SpaceCamp, a movie he describes as a marvelous picture but basically didn't stir up too many minds. Rare are the situations when Williams doesn't score a blockbuster but he was between Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Empire of the Sun pictures, so he could allow his senses to be lured to a non big budget film. And for SpaceCamp he easily wrote one of his finest themes not for the big Spielberg or Lucas film. Easily one of the finest ever, the amazement, wonder and pure heart in this theme is basically what makes the score, one soundtrack overall which listens as B-rate as efforts like Always or Empire of the Sun, but with the exception that B-rate Williams is so much better then everyone else and that just like those scores, the moments are pure classic in the sense of the word. And of course there lies the strength of the out of print album of SpaceCamp. With its classic moments! Easily the main theme is all what people need to hear that classic tune, a wondrous piece where it as a true concert version builds to the most stunning string and brass version imaginable in 'SpaceCamp', a stunning piece of film music and the glorious climax in the final track 'Home Again' is easily capturing the same brilliant main theme versions of the score. These two tracks bring the Williams magic so accustomed to hear in the '80 and SpaceCamp is an example of true art when it concerns these moments in none blockbuster format.

The rest is made up of these main theme statements or the music revolving around either discovery, rescues or rising problems as they always occur in these situations. The theme appears almost dominantly in every track but in various guises or forms, soft in 'Main Title', with an electronic bounce ala Explorers (and especially like Goldsmith did it in Outland for 'The Rec Room' track) in 'Training Montage', or with adventure and amazement in 'In Orbit'. Or we have the non fanfare like tracks and moments, 'Friends Forever' is calm and soft, 'Viewing Daedalus' brings back the more mysterious tones around the theme (Close Encounters and ET like) and 'Andie is Stranded' with its darker, more dangerous feel, they all bring none of the glory or amazement when the theme appears. There are some problems though which occur during SpaceCamp. First of all the sound, with its good but totally crisp lacking clarity, the scope when the theme appears is lacking big time the sheer power of Williams' score. Which is especially sad when Williams raises the stakes. Secondly, its complete out of print status which makes it one of the most sought after scores on the market, with prices going up to $200 and more. And third, this is classic Williams but in moments and even if its all good to hear, just like other scores it misses the total picture, so you will hum but not adore everything that comes your way, especially the part between 9 and 12 is not of the standard as the theme alone proves. Still sounding like every classic Williams' score (ET, Close Encounters, Jaws and especially the Indiana Jones' scores), SpaceCamp is a wonderful addition with classic moments, a theme that calls for recognition and an overall score which will please any fan. But its also in those moments where wonder occurs, and not the total score through, therefore its lacking more of that wonder overall.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (3.08)

2. Training Montage (2.00)

3. The Shuttle (5.03)

4. The Computer Room (1.55)

5. Friends Forever (2.21)

6. In Orbit (3.13)

7. White Sands (6.53)

8. SpaceCamp (4.07) Excellent Track

9. Viewing Daedalus (2.46)

10. Max Breaks Loose (2.22)

11. Andie Is Stranded (4.09)

12. Max Finds Courage (2.20)

13. Re-Entry (3.56)

14. Home Again (3.30) Excellent Track

Total Length: 48.20

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Williams ===