Powder

Powder was a brilliant movie that sadly received negative response due to writer-director Victor Salva, who had been convicted of molesting a 12-year-old child actor during the production of his previous film. Still if we're looking at the movie's quality alone, I wished this movie wasn't that ignored because of its ugly past. Because Powder is emotional purity at its finest. A movie that becomes a hundred times better because of its music. The director was a huge fan of Goldsmith, and Goldsmith was literally touched by the strength of the film, or how else could he have written such an amazing score. This is perhaps one of the most explosive movies I have ever seen that uses music so strongly. Goldsmith's score is loud and powerful, and when the important scenes are unfolding you're receiving messages from heaven. "Going Away", one of the most powerful finales I have ever encountered is literally all Goldsmith's doing. An example of how movie music truly ascends towards a higher meaning. This theme is then of course the central part of this score's strength. Sadly it's also repeated endlessly, and in this expanded format it's used to the death. Though I did enjoy various unreleased tracks (definitely in the beginning), the original album holds everything you need, and has for me a much more satisfying track listing. Still, in terms of quality, Powder is like Rudy. Very repetitive but when in full form it's one of the most beautiful things he's ever written. And they both work better in a shorter presentation.

The main theme is one of his best, one of his most beautiful creations.
"Jacob's Ladder / After Shock" is incredibly powerful, thanks to the fanfares.
"Going Away" is probably one of the best cues he's ever written. It literally explodes on screen.
One of the rare occasions Intrade destroys the listening experience due to the expanded treatment.
Because in this length the main theme is repeated to the death.

Powder (1995 release) ****
Powder (2016 release) ***1/2

Track Listing

1. Emergency Room * (1.52)
2. The Incubator * (2.17)
3. Powder * (3.33)
4. The Books * / You’re Afraid * (5.02)
5. The Window * (0.41)
6. The Spoons ** / Enemies * (1.51)
7. New School * (1.06)
8. Jacob's Ladder * / After Shock * (2.32) Excellent track
9. He Bites * (0.51)
10. I'm Okay (1.42)
11. Unhappy Days * (0.16)
12. No Questions * (1.44)
13. The Storm *+ (0.57)
14. Nature Walk ** / Duncan's Revelation (5.19) Excellent track
15. Not A Friend * (1.05)
16. Holding On * (0.40)
17. Tricks / The Hat (4.04)
18. I've Tried * (0.50)
19. The Silver Box (8.28) Excellent track
20. First Kiss (2.29)
21. Going Home * (1.27)
22. The Shower * (0.34)
23. That's What He Said * (1.02)
24. Freak Show (4.45)
25. The Farm House *+ (1.36)
26. Going Away (3.56) Excellent track
27. Theme From Powder (4.37) Excellent track

* Previously Unreleased
** Includes Music Previously Unreleased
+ Includes Music Not Featured in Film

Total Length: 65.16