48 Hrs.
James Horner
" The begin ... of something Commando like "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
The film debut of Eddie Murphy didn't go by unnoticed, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Acting Debut - Male, and turning the movie (and sequel) into a box office phenomenon (definitely back at the time). In truth, it not only sky rocketed the career of Eddie Murphy, but it also confirmed the talent of composer James Horner as well (who made truly a name for himself the same year with Star Trek II). So, a successful piece of cinema history couldn't live on without a soundtrack release of Horner's music. And finally in 2011, Intrada released for the first time Horner's music on CD. Correction, it may indeed be for the first time, but don't think the music isn't anything you haven't heard before.
Yes, it's strange but the more you discover the earliest soundtracks of Horner's career, the more you realize he was copying himself crazy even then. Because 48 Hrs. may have been first, I heard the now typical Commando action sound first in 1986. Later I realized it was actually used before that in Gorky Park, before eventually realizing 48 Hrs. was the first (I think) time it appeared in a film. Anyway, that's what you get and lots of it, delivering the typical threatening style for electronics, percussion, saxophone and occasional piano. It's use in "Main Title", "The Walden Hotel", "Subway Station", "Subway Chase" and "The Alley" deliver nothing new, but are extremely effective and in a way even downright enjoyable.
The additional Jamaican touch in "Main Title" and "Aerobics" deliver a sound of its own for Eddie Murphy's character, making it actually a fitting addition to the sound of 48 Hrs.. And all that is combined with the songs that made the film such a success, including the hit "The Boys are Back in Town" by The BusBoys. So in general, for a Horner completest who doesn't mind hearing anything he has already heard countless times before, 48 Hrs. sounds entertaining. And considering 48 Hrs. precedes all those scores I've mentioned, I have to accept that this is a score that delivers nothing new, but became nonetheless the effort that inspired all those rest.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (5.09)
2. Jack Leaves Elaine's Apartment (1.06)
3. The Walden Hotel (4.10)
4. Aerobics (4.08)
5. Subway Station (5.38)
6. Subway Chase (1.50)
7. Luther's Bus (1.57)
8. The Alley (5.20)
9. The Boys are Back in Town: The BusBoys (2.38)
Bonus Tracks
10. 48 Hrs: The BusBoys (3.13)
11. Love Songs are for Crazies: The BusBoys (3.44)
12. New Shoes: The BusBoys (3.32)
13. Torchy's Boogie ** (2.55)
* performed by The BusBoys
** composed by Ira Newborn
Total Length: 45.20
Yes, it's strange but the more you discover the earliest soundtracks of Horner's career, the more you realize he was copying himself crazy even then. Because 48 Hrs. may have been first, I heard the now typical Commando action sound first in 1986. Later I realized it was actually used before that in Gorky Park, before eventually realizing 48 Hrs. was the first (I think) time it appeared in a film. Anyway, that's what you get and lots of it, delivering the typical threatening style for electronics, percussion, saxophone and occasional piano. It's use in "Main Title", "The Walden Hotel", "Subway Station", "Subway Chase" and "The Alley" deliver nothing new, but are extremely effective and in a way even downright enjoyable.
The additional Jamaican touch in "Main Title" and "Aerobics" deliver a sound of its own for Eddie Murphy's character, making it actually a fitting addition to the sound of 48 Hrs.. And all that is combined with the songs that made the film such a success, including the hit "The Boys are Back in Town" by The BusBoys. So in general, for a Horner completest who doesn't mind hearing anything he has already heard countless times before, 48 Hrs. sounds entertaining. And considering 48 Hrs. precedes all those scores I've mentioned, I have to accept that this is a score that delivers nothing new, but became nonetheless the effort that inspired all those rest.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (5.09)
2. Jack Leaves Elaine's Apartment (1.06)
3. The Walden Hotel (4.10)
4. Aerobics (4.08)
5. Subway Station (5.38)
6. Subway Chase (1.50)
7. Luther's Bus (1.57)
8. The Alley (5.20)
9. The Boys are Back in Town: The BusBoys (2.38)
Bonus Tracks
10. 48 Hrs: The BusBoys (3.13)
11. Love Songs are for Crazies: The BusBoys (3.44)
12. New Shoes: The BusBoys (3.32)
13. Torchy's Boogie ** (2.55)
* performed by The BusBoys
** composed by Ira Newborn
Total Length: 45.20