Volcano

Silvestri's only bombastic action score of 1997 was Volcano, aka Los Angeles worst nightmare of having to experience a volcanic eruption. Considering the original release lasted a miserable 29 minutes, it was time for something more deluxe. And Varèse answered the prayers. Of course now it lasts too long, which goes to show some people will only be satisfied if they make their own playlist of it (at least that's what I did). The score of Alan Silvestri in general delivered a nice selection on the short Varèse release. It's just clear now that several new additions deliver some additional thrills, while others drag the experience (especially in the begin). The highlight of course remains Silvestri's thundering march (first erupting in "Teamwork") and Silvestri's own bombastic approach to score the tension every time a little bit bigger. New additions that deliver the explosive nature are "Ash Wednesday" and "Explosions", and truthfully the entire score holds many fine action / suspense pieces. It's just ... well more or less the same. In the shorter format Silvestri's music was thrilling, and here the thrill is definitely present. Just not always as different as the cue before it. The sound is incredible, and yes there are now highlights available that deserved to be on the original release. But what Volcano above all lacks is diversity. Unlike the first and last track, Volcano maintains to keep the same tone for the entire soundtrack. And now in this massive length it is just too much. For the completist I suppose, but those thinking the score is now even better think again. It was already a good score, but now it's just a bit too much.

The score in general is a great score, full of fanfares and powerful no nonsense suspense music.
The powerful march theme remains a treasure that elevates the film to enjoyable levels.
Several new additions are worthy to be placed alongside the original release, in now stunning sound quality.
The original score was embarrassingly short, but now it is stupidly overlong. A nice 50 minute experience would have been perfect.

Volcano (1997 release) ****
Volcano (2016 The Deluxe Edition) ****

Tracklisting

1. Main Title (2.47)
2. Saint Vincent's / Steady Line (2.45)
3. Dragon Emerges / Steam Did That? (1.18)
4. Tunnel Search / Dr. Jaye (5.59)
5. Lava in LA (2.12)
6. Bubble Bubble / Morning Commute / Fissure Queen (4.18)
7. Miracle Mile (3.59)
8. Amy Emerges (1.23)
9. Toaster Train (2.01)
10. Ash Wednesday (2.02)
11. Tarnation (5.55) Excellent track
12. Hot Dog / I Know You're Special (1.27)
13. Teamwork (2.41) Excellent track
14. Crane Rescue / Subway Dragon (2.17)
15. Rachel's Dead (2.33)
16. Find the Driver / Basketball (2.10)
17. Hero Stan (2.01)
18. Build a Wall (5.05) Excellent track
19. Lava in the Red Lane (1.04)
20. March of the Lava (3.41) Excellent track
21. Tunnel Fever (2.44)
22. Norm's Medical Advice / Sacrificial VCR (4.18)
23. Roark's Big Plan / Tommy's Gone (4.37)
24. Explosions (3.19)
25. Roark Saves Kelly (1.25)
26. Roark's Missing (2.45) Excellent track
27. Cleansing Rain (2.27)

Total Length: 79.13