Face/Off

Composer: John Powell
Total Time: 41:44
Availability: ****
Rating: **1/2

Despite the successful collaboration between director John Woo and composer Hans Zimmer in Broken Arrow, Hans Zimmer is not the man this time. Instead, he is being the producer of the score. Although I did not give this score a high rating, I do kind of like this John Powell's first major score. That may be also because I love this movie so much. Although this score is no Zimmer's Broker Arrow, this score is no less effective for the movie. Under the influence of Hans Zimmer (maybe other media venture guys also), this score, again, uses the combination of orchestra and synth. The music texture is very similar to Mark Mancina's Speed. There are two major themes in this score. The first one is a warmful theme which describes the bonding between Sean Archer (John Travolta) and his son Michael. The second one represents the tension and hatred between Sean and Castor Troy (Nicholas Cage). Both themes have very simple melodies but are extremely effective and catchy. They both burned into my memory the first time I saw the movie. Powell has also written a villain waltz for Castor Troy but it does not play a major role in the score. The first track "Face On", the third track "Furniture", and the last track "Ready For the Big Ride, Bubba" are very enjoyable tracks. They add up to about 15 minutes of playing time. The rest of the music is not that enjoyable as independent music. But it does have occasional good moments, including the waltz I mentioned before. So, watch the movie first. If you enjoy those themes in the movie, you should get this one.


    Track Listing:
  1. Face On (4:57)
  2. 80 Proof Rock (4:29)
  3. Furniture (7:12)
  4. The Golden Section Derma Lift (3:15)
  5. This Ridiculous Chin (6:52)
  6. No More Drugs For That Man (7:28)
  7. Hans' Loft (3:37)
  8. Ready For The Big Ride, Bubba (3:45)
    Total Time: 41:44


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