The Meteor Man
Cliff Eidelman
" The M stands for Mother, what a great Superman like theme "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Written, produced, directed and starring Robert Townsend, it's amazing Mr. Townsend didn't do the scoring duties as well. Luckily, he left that to a man who was capable of doing the job while being just cheap enough to fit the budget. Yet, with Star Trek 6 and Christopher Columbus already on his resume, Cliff Eidelman deserved more respect than just a wannabe superhero movie about an ordinary man who got stronger just because he came in contact with a meteor. So call it a lame Superman spin off, the music nonetheless contained everything necessary to make the dude fly.
Because it's evident where the movie was aiming at, and even more what the music was trying to re create. Luckily temp track is one thing, influence another. Cliff Eidelman didn't hide it whatsoever, but there's something about making your own Meteor Man theme without forgetting the strengths of one of the all time superhero themes. IF it would have been used in a proper superhero film, it might have been much more remembered today. Something Intrada of course was aiming at. Because now, 21 years after Townsend flew most us by, Intrada resurrects the power that is Cliff Eidelman's score.
Because all lack of novelty aside (no one really has to wonder with what it was temp tracked with), The Meteor Man does have one kick ass main theme. In a time superhero themes still needed to create an impact (hello Mr. Jackman), the theme briefly explodes at the end of "Main Title", shows us its pride colors (with bells) in "Jefferson Reed" and "Off to Work", pumps up the heroism in "Cleaning Up the Hood (Revised 2)" (showing its first fully colorful outing) while we're having an action version as well which sets "Jeff Catches Bullets (Version 2)" on fire.
Main theme versions aside, the score does have its fair share of darker moments too, eerier and suspenseful in the begin ("Aint' Crossing Street", "Initiation") that shares a lot of similarities with Star Trek VI. Occasionally there's even choir present to lighten the way ("Meteor Strikes"). And if heroism or darkness doesn't have anything to do with it, the comedy of the movie demands for lighter micky mouse music, which Eidelman happily provides in "Stromburg Theory", "Jet Magazine" and "X-Ray Vision (Version 2)", making the score diverse enough but thereby not really memorable. It's only in the larger than life pieces that Eidelman unleashes the true pride of the score. And that part pretty much begins from the 21st track.
Which means, we encounter a powerful second part of "Double-Cross", the Tie Fighter music of Star Wars popping up in "Meteor Spill" and "Karate Duel" (intermixed with portions of Eidelman's rousing main theme, which is presented for the first time in its complete form), some terrific fanfare moments in "Oh No Ellington" and the first concert performance of the main theme in "Ultimate Hero". To end the praise, we even have an amazing send off in "Bloods and Crips Unite" before stating another John Williams influence, this time the pirate music of Hook (when Jack receives his little hook).
Meaning, though there's a hefty doses of temp track on board, Eidelman doesn't hide them whatsoever. In fact, he elevates them through the use of his own powerful (influential) main theme. But that main theme does save the day, because no matter the influence on board, it's incredibly addictive and enormously powerful stuff. Not everything of The Meteor Man speaks to me, but there's a 30 minute presentation here that deserves frequent attempts, written in the good old age when filmmusic was still there to make an impression. No matter if the film looks corny or not, Eidelman and now Intrada have successfully revived my wounded heroic soul.
Favorite Moment - Ultimate Hero (0.32 - 0.57)
Anyone else has got the sudden urge to FLY?
Track Listing
1. Main Title (1.44)
2. Ain't Crossing Street (1.01)
3. Initiation (2.32)
4. Meteor Strikes (2.47)
5. Jefferson Reed (0.38)
6. Stromburg Theory (2.38)
7. Offensive Plan (1.00)
8. Jet Magazine (2.12)
9. X-Ray Vision (Version 2) (1.18)
10. Jeff Protects Dad (2.07)
11. Something's Coming (1.45)
12. Mrs. Walker (1.31)
13. Off To Work (0.54)
14. Cleaning Up the Hood (Revised 2) (2.33)
15. Emergency Meeting (1.04)
16. Slinky's Like Life (1.51)
17. The Imposter (3.15)
18. Jeff Catches Bullets (Version 2) (1.31)
19. Forced Entry (1.40)
20. Jeff Says He'll Leave (2.22)
21. Double-Cross (6.05)
22. Meteor Spill (3.08) Excellent track
23. Karate Duel (4.06) Excellent track
24. Oh No Ellington (1.55)
25. Ultimate Hero (1.44) Excellent track
26. Reviving Ellington (1.24)
27. Bloods and Crips Unite (3.06) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Poor Lewis (0.22)
29. Ellington Speaks (0.38)
30. X-Ray Vision (Original) (0.52)
31. Jealous Boyfriend (0.32)
32. Simon Says (0.19)
33. Suspicious Polaroid (0.17)
34. Cleaning Up The Hood (Revised) (2.29)
35. Emergency Meeting (Alternate) (0.37)
36. Take Off The Uniform (0.23)
37. Jeff Catches Bullets (Original) (1.29)
38. Karate Duel (Alternate) (4.06)
Total Length: 69.55
Because it's evident where the movie was aiming at, and even more what the music was trying to re create. Luckily temp track is one thing, influence another. Cliff Eidelman didn't hide it whatsoever, but there's something about making your own Meteor Man theme without forgetting the strengths of one of the all time superhero themes. IF it would have been used in a proper superhero film, it might have been much more remembered today. Something Intrada of course was aiming at. Because now, 21 years after Townsend flew most us by, Intrada resurrects the power that is Cliff Eidelman's score.
Because all lack of novelty aside (no one really has to wonder with what it was temp tracked with), The Meteor Man does have one kick ass main theme. In a time superhero themes still needed to create an impact (hello Mr. Jackman), the theme briefly explodes at the end of "Main Title", shows us its pride colors (with bells) in "Jefferson Reed" and "Off to Work", pumps up the heroism in "Cleaning Up the Hood (Revised 2)" (showing its first fully colorful outing) while we're having an action version as well which sets "Jeff Catches Bullets (Version 2)" on fire.
Main theme versions aside, the score does have its fair share of darker moments too, eerier and suspenseful in the begin ("Aint' Crossing Street", "Initiation") that shares a lot of similarities with Star Trek VI. Occasionally there's even choir present to lighten the way ("Meteor Strikes"). And if heroism or darkness doesn't have anything to do with it, the comedy of the movie demands for lighter micky mouse music, which Eidelman happily provides in "Stromburg Theory", "Jet Magazine" and "X-Ray Vision (Version 2)", making the score diverse enough but thereby not really memorable. It's only in the larger than life pieces that Eidelman unleashes the true pride of the score. And that part pretty much begins from the 21st track.
Which means, we encounter a powerful second part of "Double-Cross", the Tie Fighter music of Star Wars popping up in "Meteor Spill" and "Karate Duel" (intermixed with portions of Eidelman's rousing main theme, which is presented for the first time in its complete form), some terrific fanfare moments in "Oh No Ellington" and the first concert performance of the main theme in "Ultimate Hero". To end the praise, we even have an amazing send off in "Bloods and Crips Unite" before stating another John Williams influence, this time the pirate music of Hook (when Jack receives his little hook).
Meaning, though there's a hefty doses of temp track on board, Eidelman doesn't hide them whatsoever. In fact, he elevates them through the use of his own powerful (influential) main theme. But that main theme does save the day, because no matter the influence on board, it's incredibly addictive and enormously powerful stuff. Not everything of The Meteor Man speaks to me, but there's a 30 minute presentation here that deserves frequent attempts, written in the good old age when filmmusic was still there to make an impression. No matter if the film looks corny or not, Eidelman and now Intrada have successfully revived my wounded heroic soul.
Favorite Moment - Ultimate Hero (0.32 - 0.57)
Anyone else has got the sudden urge to FLY?
Track Listing
1. Main Title (1.44)
2. Ain't Crossing Street (1.01)
3. Initiation (2.32)
4. Meteor Strikes (2.47)
5. Jefferson Reed (0.38)
6. Stromburg Theory (2.38)
7. Offensive Plan (1.00)
8. Jet Magazine (2.12)
9. X-Ray Vision (Version 2) (1.18)
10. Jeff Protects Dad (2.07)
11. Something's Coming (1.45)
12. Mrs. Walker (1.31)
13. Off To Work (0.54)
14. Cleaning Up the Hood (Revised 2) (2.33)
15. Emergency Meeting (1.04)
16. Slinky's Like Life (1.51)
17. The Imposter (3.15)
18. Jeff Catches Bullets (Version 2) (1.31)
19. Forced Entry (1.40)
20. Jeff Says He'll Leave (2.22)
21. Double-Cross (6.05)
22. Meteor Spill (3.08) Excellent track
23. Karate Duel (4.06) Excellent track
24. Oh No Ellington (1.55)
25. Ultimate Hero (1.44) Excellent track
26. Reviving Ellington (1.24)
27. Bloods and Crips Unite (3.06) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Poor Lewis (0.22)
29. Ellington Speaks (0.38)
30. X-Ray Vision (Original) (0.52)
31. Jealous Boyfriend (0.32)
32. Simon Says (0.19)
33. Suspicious Polaroid (0.17)
34. Cleaning Up The Hood (Revised) (2.29)
35. Emergency Meeting (Alternate) (0.37)
36. Take Off The Uniform (0.23)
37. Jeff Catches Bullets (Original) (1.29)
38. Karate Duel (Alternate) (4.06)
Total Length: 69.55