| Die Hard |
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Composed by Michael Kamen |
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Varese Sarabande / Pony Boy Records |
Release Date: 2002 |
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Die Hard launched what would become known as the quintessential action film into the public arena. Like most groundbreaking films however, the large batch of clones that followed failed to match the original in atmosphere or originality. Such is the case with Die Hard, which stands at the top of two sequels and numerous rip-offs. Even being over fourteen years old, the film holds up quite well (especially with the very nice special DVD edition that was released last year) and remains enjoyable despite all the ideas that following films turned into clichés. Michael Kamen's score to the film is one that is not usually imitated in the films that try to follow the typical formula. There is nothing overly bombastic about the score, and the primary themes that Kamen utilizes are not heart-stoppingly heroic. Instead, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, and a fun little tune courtesy of the film's reference to Roy Rogers, serves as the basis for the two main themes that are expertly interwoven throughout. Besides those two quotations, the score is relatively devoid of any other thematic work, though there are references to other pieces of music that pop up occasionally (including the piece that never fails to creep me out since A Clockwork Orange, Singin' in the Rain). Setting the seasonal period of the film, Kamen's use of sleigh bells works really well, especially in combination with the themes. Such moments are rare, but work terrifically and are some of the most delightful cues in the score. The rest of the music generally consists of suspense and tension-building moments, with the big action sequences popping up more near the end. For an action score, it is more low-key than what has been churned out from the likes of the Media Ventures group in the last decade. As such, it can take getting use to, but after the head-banging likes of The Rock or The Peacemaker, it brings about a nice change of pace. Originally, the score only saw the light of day as a bootleg release, but Varese Sarabande has finally released the score under their label in a limited 3000 pressings. The bootleg was the source for what was reviewed here, and the Varese release is only apparently different in terms of length (it's over seventy minutes), and a bit in content (the bootleg contains the stylistically jarring cue from Aliens). That being the case, the best way to obtain this score is to order it from Varese. While more subdued that what usually passes for an action score these days, Die Hard still works well and continues several great thematic moments and action writing. If you're looking to get this score though, make sure you do it fast before the limited pressing from Varese runs out. ***1/2 |
| Track Listing - Total Running Time: 50:48 | |
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