Warlock
Jerry Goldsmith
" An unnecessary expanded edition "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Warlock was always one of the less interesting entries in Goldsmith's career. Even in it's 53 minute edition. So why Intrada released an expanded format of it is beyond me. But it's Goldsmith, and Goldsmith just continues to sell. So basic marketing is the reason, not the quality. No I'm lying, there's always a demand for quality. Because even if Warlock is one of his weakest, it still has so much more than the hundreds of scores that gets a release nowadays. It's strange in a way, but this score has a theme (which most scores can't seem to deliver), decent suspense and mood and a very direct approach. This score doesn't linger behind, there's a line that needs to be followed and it knows exactly where to go. And there's that main theme, not a terribly exciting one but at least there's one. Sadly, Warlock has a lot of eerie mood as well. Mostly in the beginning this score feels like it's delivering nothing but subtle underscore, focusing on the quiet hunt between the hunter and the warlock. It's all rather tedious and rarely anything happens. At least in the first part.
The second part obviously unleashes more action. Like the main theme that's centered around a more driving pace in "Nails" or the angry brass and strings of "Salt Water Attack" (reminding me of Poltergeist). That's the more interesting second part of the score. In general I feel Warlock just meanders along for most of the time (last tracks not included). It's all functional, but most of this score is like lulling you into sleep instead of awakening you. I know it's not The Omen with its demonic chants, but this is a very light score nonetheless. Plus in this 'long' format it's not terribly exciting either. Ah, marketing stuff and food for Goldsmith collectors. Throw away half of the score, and in an acceptable length this score could actually work.
There's a theme, and a structure. Not every score can say they have that.
The final 2 tracks are rather good, showing definitely a depth that elevates the experience to an acceptable level.
The theme (though functional) is however not one of his most interesting creations.
A lot of mood, a lot of tedious electronics. Not one of Jerry's best I'm afraid.
The new cues appear to be the same to those before and after. Making their inclusion practically unnecessary.
Track Listing
1. The Sentence (4.10)
2. Ill Wind (2.11)
3. Time Warp * (1.34)
4. The Ring (2.31)
5. Like A Father * (2.06)
6. The Trance ** (6.18)
7. Old Age (4.16)
8. The Rope * (0.52)
9. Growing Pains (5.47)
10. He Was Here * (2.56)
11. The Weather Vane (5.10)
12. Nails (4.31)
13. The Terminal * (1.28)
14. A Witch Among Us * (4.15)
15. The Uninvited (4.59)
16. The Headstone * (2.39)
17. Salt Water Attack (8.52)
18. The Salt Flats (7.24)
* previously unreleased
** contains previously unreleased material
Total Length: 71.59
The second part obviously unleashes more action. Like the main theme that's centered around a more driving pace in "Nails" or the angry brass and strings of "Salt Water Attack" (reminding me of Poltergeist). That's the more interesting second part of the score. In general I feel Warlock just meanders along for most of the time (last tracks not included). It's all functional, but most of this score is like lulling you into sleep instead of awakening you. I know it's not The Omen with its demonic chants, but this is a very light score nonetheless. Plus in this 'long' format it's not terribly exciting either. Ah, marketing stuff and food for Goldsmith collectors. Throw away half of the score, and in an acceptable length this score could actually work.
There's a theme, and a structure. Not every score can say they have that.
The final 2 tracks are rather good, showing definitely a depth that elevates the experience to an acceptable level.
The theme (though functional) is however not one of his most interesting creations.
A lot of mood, a lot of tedious electronics. Not one of Jerry's best I'm afraid.
The new cues appear to be the same to those before and after. Making their inclusion practically unnecessary.
Track Listing
1. The Sentence (4.10)
2. Ill Wind (2.11)
3. Time Warp * (1.34)
4. The Ring (2.31)
5. Like A Father * (2.06)
6. The Trance ** (6.18)
7. Old Age (4.16)
8. The Rope * (0.52)
9. Growing Pains (5.47)
10. He Was Here * (2.56)
11. The Weather Vane (5.10)
12. Nails (4.31)
13. The Terminal * (1.28)
14. A Witch Among Us * (4.15)
15. The Uninvited (4.59)
16. The Headstone * (2.39)
17. Salt Water Attack (8.52)
18. The Salt Flats (7.24)
* previously unreleased
** contains previously unreleased material
Total Length: 71.59