Search - Original Soundtrack, Rollercoaster :: Rollercoaster (Soundtrack)

The soundtrack I've wanted for over 20 years

NewFun#6 | 12/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recieved this item as a Christmas present this year. I wanted it badly, having waited over 20 years to see it out in some format or another. I would've been happy with vinyl, cassette, even 8-track. But CD...Wow! I never dared dream! So...was it worth the wait? I've pondered over this. It's definitely a mixed bag, that's for sure. It starts with the Prologue, Montage which is really cool. I've never heard anything quite like this on a soundtrack before. It's sort of a preview of all the themes you're going to hear on the album. Kind of like using the "preview" feature on your CD player. Pretty neat. Of the remaining tracks, the "good" are: Portrait of Harry (a very good "lonely guy" type of theme), Movement from String Quartette (Young Man's Theme) (I LOVE this one. It's the openning theme to the film before the "carnival" music starts and serves as the killer's theme. Excellent! And I was surprised and pleased it was on the soundtrack), One Track Mind (more "killer" music. This theme is heard repeatedly throughout the film and is suspenseful and, like the movie itself, very "Hitchcock-ian"), Calliope of Death (arguably the best theme on the soundtrack AFTER the Magic Carousel-End Title theme. Heard briefly and not completely in the film, this is the music heard as the scenes change to the park where Harry is going to make the money drop in the film. Eerie and haunting, like an evil Merry-Go-Round. Gives me the creeps...but in a good way!), Another Side of Harry (basically a continuing of the Portrait of Harry theme), and, of course, Magic Carousel-End Title (the best theme on the album and the main title of the film, sort of. Actually this is the version heard during the closing credits of the film and is a bit more lighthearted than the "regular" theme. Sounds much like what you'd expect to hear at a Six Flags, but is still great and somewhat haunting). The "take-it-or-leave-it" themes are: Penny Arcade (heard in the film, but not what you'd expect on a soundtrack. Good if you like Ragtime style pieces), Cotton Candy (also heard in the film in the park where Harry makes the money drop. A dixie-rag style piece and instantly recognizable if you're familiar with the movie. I like this one quite a lot), and Apple Turnover (I can't for the life of me recall where, or if, this one is in the film. Nice "light jazz" style piece though). And the ugly--Magic Carousel (what a disappointment! This should've been the film's main theme, but instead it's like a disco version or something. Remember Meco Star Wars? Same type thing. I was heartbroken.), Merry-Go-Round (where is THIS in the film? Easily skipped and you won't ever miss it), Rollercoaster (one of the psuedo-rock tunes heard in the film. Not truly bad, but one of those obligatory inclusions "just 'cause it's in the film"), and Children's Ride (don't recall this in the film either. Not that it's bad or anything, but why waste the space on this theme that sounds like a Disneyworld ride?). Okay, so was it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. I truly enjoy the good themes. The good themes are GREAT and I've wanted to own them most of my life. The problem is that the film is full of great music, much of which didn't make the album. This soundtrack is in dire need of the "special edition" treatment. Is it worth it's price? That's a tough one. It was given to me. I would've bought it anyway, but would I have been upset or never have minded shelling out money for it? I guess it depends on the type of soundtrack collector you are. If you collect like I do ('cause you love the movie the music is for), you'll enjoy it. If you love the film "Rollercoaster", especially if you're a fan, you'll REALLY enjoy the score. HOWEVER, if you're like my friend Mark who collects by artist (and just to collect, I think) regardless of whether he's heard the music and/or seen the film beforehand, I would expect you'll be sorely disappointed. This one seems aimed straight for the fan of the film. If you're debating getting this one, get it only if you can easily afford it. If not, wait to see what this "Rollercoaster" score is that's coming out in February. By the way, the linear notes are entirely in Japanese."