Quintus 5,391 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Back in the day when Horner was a huge growing talent of reasonable originality, he was brilliantly chosen by James Cameron to score his sequel to Ridley's Alien, with the LSO no less. Horner went on to write a tremendous sci-fi score that is absolutely gripping, exciting and very memorable.Aside from the superbly brooding and genuinely frightening atmosphere setting cues, he composed some quite fantastic action music. Like all the good JW action cues, Horner's pounding Aliens stuff goes hand in hand with the visuals, especially to us film music fans. When I used to watch this as a child, the music heard during moments like the "Futile Escape" sequence easily played as bigger part (to me at at least) as the tense action on-screen.Other excellent action cues can be heard in "Ripley's Rescue", "Going after Newt" (amazing and truly epic LSO fanfares here) and of course "Bishops Countdown". The last of my examples even features a last second escape (from the nuke-like explosion) orchestration that easily matches, if not eclipses the JW Death Star explosion escape, just for sheer exhilarating energy.But the thing that sticks out the most in all this action music, is the percussion. Its the LSO's and its in a league of its own during the Aliens score. It creates form, tone and a consistent tempo throughout the film, sounding powerful, distinct and showing dominance over every other section of the orchestra. I love this score. Its a mans score, a score with real brawn!So can you think of a better military style score? Predator is a contender, but its no real match for one of Horner's finest works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 It's a pretty good score but I don't know if I consider it to be a great military score. When I think of military I think along the lines of Patton, The Great Escape, etc etc.It's a good action score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,391 Posted June 13, 2006 Author Share Posted June 13, 2006 It's a pretty good score but I don't know if I consider it to be a great military score. When I think of military I think along the lines of Patton, The Great Escape, etc etc.It's a good action score.Perhaps, but I'm thinking along different lines. I'm talking about a musical style which sounds like soldiers in action. Music for a military campaign. The Great Escape is a romantic score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futuremartymcfly 0 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I agree its a great score, and I guess I would consider it millitaristic, but I still think of it as more of an action score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUMENKOHL 1,064 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 No sorry, you lose. That would be Independence Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamtron 0 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I like the ALIENS score, but for me it has many tracks that are more horror elements or more "sad, lonely, adrift in space" type queues.I'd vote for PREDATOR because of it's liberal use of military drums, horns and overall "military action in the jungle" type sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 There is no doubt in my mind that Aliens is one of the great "balls-to-the-wall" action scores.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 So that's what Cameron did to Horner?Sounds painfull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,519 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 So that's what Cameron did to Horner?Sounds painfull.Oh that is what you have to do to Horner to get him to compose a score with no self plagiarismGreat! Now more directors have to start doing that. He has had time to heal. And I think Aliens sure is a good score but perhaps not the most militaristic score ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 480 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 So that's what Cameron did to Horner?Sounds painfull.Oh that is what you have to do to Horner to get him to compose a score with no self plagiarismIsn't Bishop's Countdown often compared to Kirk's Explosive Reply?Not that it matters much, because it's still an absolutely awesome cue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 2,924 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I only have the OST of Aliens,which I think sucks.Maybe my opinion of this score would change with the expanded release.K.M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,284 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I like how he implemented Golsmith creepy mood music with a new twist not just cut 'n' paste.The score is fun too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,519 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I like how he implemented Golsmith creepy mood music with a new twist not just cut 'n' paste.The score is fun too. LOLNot total plagiarism eh?But seriously, how similar Horner's music is compared to Goldsmith's score? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,284 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Well i didnt wanted it to sound sarcastic or something... I think Horner did what should be done with that score.And in this case i meant 'cut and paste' as the thing many sequels scores do (not related to horner) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I only have the OST of Aliens,which I think sucks.Maybe my opinion of this score would change with the expanded release.K.M.If you don't like it now you probably won't care to much for the expanded release because the original contains the important cues. While there are some nice additions to the Deluxe CD there's nothing that will probably change your mind.But seriously, how similar Horner's music is compared to Goldsmith's score?There may be a slight similarity to some of the low suspense music and they actually track in some of Goldsmith's music from Alien during one scene but the only copy is Horner's use of Goldsmith's Capricorn One theme in parts of the score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivier 5 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Speaking of releases: which one do you have, TheGreatEye?The DE features percussion-only versions of several tracks (Combat Drop & Ripley's Rescue), which are both exciting and interesting listens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,391 Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Speaking of releases: which one do you have, TheGreatEye?The DE features percussion-only versions of several tracks (Combat Drop & Ripley's Rescue), which are both exciting and interesting listens.Admittedly I only have the original ost, but I Limewired the tracks you mentioned Yes, they are very good bonus cues. Horner has a particular gift for writing for percussion.Btw, has anyone noticed what sounds like the banging of a cooking pan during "Ripley's Rescue"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Starship Troopers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,391 Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Good call, but its the main theme which stands out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Starship TroopersThat's one of the few scores where I don't like the whole thing in chronological order. I'm going to pull a Thor here and say the album is a perfect representation of that score.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 The album is missing too much truly great stuff. The track order is fine, but the content is too incomplete. The boot doesn't have the best sequencing, but boy does it have some great music that's not on the original. (And it's still missing some minor bits; I should listen to the iso score soon - just recently got the DVD). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymenard 35 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Starship Troopers...for the Win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Starship TroopersThat's one of the few scores where I don't like the whole thing in chronological order. I'm going to pull a Thor here and say the album is a perfect representation of that score.Neil Oh no you didn't just go there...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 The album is all I have on my iPod and that's what I enjoy the most.I have 2 different fan made complete versions and both bore me. Different strokes I guess.But Aliens kicks ass. Especially those percussion only cues!Neil - who also enjoys the RSNO's recording on "The Alien Trilogy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 so do I need the extended Aliens cd, I really like the original cd, but wait, its Horner, am I not supposed to hate him and his stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Only hate him for his music after 1990......Liking anything after that will subject you to severe punishment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 but braveheart and Titanic are post 1990, and I like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 480 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 So is The Rocketeer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,284 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 And the legend of Zorro, right? :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymenard 35 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Buy yourself El Cid instead of Zorro. It's the same style, in a hundred times better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I have El Cid, and but find this boards comparison similar to Hook and Harry Potter. in otherwords meaningless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Ok move it up to 1992 then. I'll allow Braveheart..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Mark I like Deep Impact too, and the Legend of Zorro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Deep Impact is great for insomnia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 As for liking Zorro, you'll have to get permission from the Holst Foundation first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,391 Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 What the hell has this all got to do with my post question?! :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 its the morphing of your question into the natural hatred of horner, what do you expect at AntiHorner.net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,391 Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 Yeah I guess you have a point. I don't hate or dislike Horner. Its just that he pisses me off sometimes.Put it one way: He wouldn't want to bump into me in a dark alley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,759 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I hear he carries a blade, you might not want to bump into him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 He'll cut you good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitch 55 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Deep Impact is great for insomnia.And insomnia is great for necrophiliacs.Hitch ALIENS (Concord bootleg edition) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Ewwwww...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielle 0 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I don't hate or dislike Horner......He wouldn't want to bump into me in a dark alley.So... You don't hate Horner... Infact you don't even dislike him, yet you want to beat the crap out of him. Dude, I wouldn't want to bump into you in a dark alley. LOL The Legend of Zorro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,284 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 If i encountered him (horner) in a dark alley surely the danger motif would play in the background I dont really hate horner. Two days ago i got my hands on The Land before time, and i have such great memories of that movie that the score sounds wonderful for me (and it really is)I just dislike about him some moments of unoriginalty. But this is not truly bad if its autocopy, and in the same year. Using classical pieces is far worse, it doesnt help his reputation at all. Memoirs of a Geisha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean1700 4 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I think the biggest disappointment with the Deluxe releae was that it didn't have the cue when the Marines are getting ready for the drop. Aside from that the deluxe cd is a must have for fans of Horner and actions scores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I think the biggest disappointment with the Deluxe releae was that it didn't have the cue when the Marines are getting ready for the drop. Aside from that the deluxe cd is a must have for fans of Horner and actions scoresThat cue was by Harry Rabinowitz. I think it might have even been a library cue.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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