Search - Jerry Goldsmith :: Air Force One: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Top, Ballsy Action Stuff from the Master of the Genre

04/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Air Force One is a stupidly patriotic American film, that suffers from some decidedly dodgy politics. However, it is saved by some absolutely top quality action sequences, that are very well directed by Wolfgang 'Das Boot' Petersen, & splendidly photographed by Michael 'Goodfellas' Ballhaus. Added to that, it boasts one of Jerry Goldsmiths' finest action scores of the decade. The action material is fast, furious & thrilling, maintaining the 'thrill factor' on the CD, away from the film. The cue 'The Highjacking' is fabulous, with galloping brass, & driving, chopping string rhythms. Crowning it off, though, is the hugely patriotic main theme. It may be slightly OTT, but it is big, bold, & eminently memorable. It is the addition of that top theme that really pushes AFO into the 'Must Have' category."

Five stars for the complete score.

Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 05/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Varese Sarabande badly misrepresents Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful score on this strangely brief CD. Only one third of the full score is available here. Varese are a bit unreliable this way. They either do huge releases or tiddlers like this one. The complete score is 95 minutes long. This one is just over 30. Not very fair considering how great it is. And what is even cooler is the fact that Goldsmith composed this score within two weeks. The first score was done by Randy Newman but was rejected by Wolfgang Peterson for sounding too tongue-in-cheek and light-hearted. Having heard this score I am inclined to agree. Goldsmith's take on the action is FAR more appropriate. Most people say that the score sounds triumphantly 'American'. It may be patriotic and triumphant but to say only Americans will feel empowered by the main theme is ridiculous. Anyone who appreciates good music will love it. Track 4 'Hijacking' is seriously 7 minutes of pure action. It will totally get your pulse racing. Of that there is no doubt. But it's the only part of this particular CD that has any great action in it. If you dig this music but only want a sampler of it on CD or if you are a big fan of Goldsmith then go ahead and buy it. If the slight running time bugs you then I suggests hunting down the complete score. Otherwise 2.5/5 for this release and 5/5 for the real thing."

Music To Bless America By

Varese Fan | Sunny FL | 07/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How Jerry Goldsmith can work under so much pressure is beyond me. He only had a few weeks to compose this score and it was still able to create a genuine tone to the film. It not only sounds like genuine presidential/martial-type music, but it stays true to the film's scenes and the emotions of the characters. He even managed to use specifically the movie's themes and motifs in every second of his music, like with all of his scores. At the same time, his score is listenable alone on CD, like always.A note to the angry customers, this thing is not short just to tick you off. A.F.O. was recorded in Los Angeles with a union orchestra. To be put on CD, something called "re-use fees" had to be paid, and increased with each additional second of music put on the album. We're lucky there was 35 minutes and not just 30. Jerry Goldsmith wanted more music so much, Varese was willing to pay for 5 more minutes, and that costs a lot more than you think. Good news though, Goldsmith has the score represented so well on here, it makes an expanded album seem almost unnecssary.The score begins with the main theme, which basically tells the whole story, like a theme should. It sounds very heroic, which is to express Harrison Ford's character, the President! Then, it moves on to the first action scene (prologue), which is a combination of tense action, tragedy, and triumph."The Motorcade" continues on with the theme, but with a little more positive tone. Everything seems to be going fine until, "Empty Rooms". It actually comes after "The Hijacking", but was put before for better listening. "The Hijacking" is the best cue on there, and makes for one of the longest and best Goldsmith action cues. In that track, you can feel how pressured the U.S. is at getting the "situation" under control as well as the panic of being on a plane full of machine gun-wielding maniacs. Put yourself in that situation and I bet the music will pretty much sum up your feelings. That's how good Jerry is!After so much chaos, the album settles with "No Security" which is a much softer, less patriotic version of the theme. This underscores the personal life of the First Family, and actually comes right after "The Motorcade", but is switched with "Empty Rooms" for better listening. Then, the album continues with "Free Flight", "Escape From Air Force One", and comes to a satisfying and breathtaking conclusion with "Welcome Aboard, Sir"In short, get this if you are a fan of action music, especially Goldsmith's action music. It may not be "traditional" American music, but it is the next best thing! Enjoy!"