This Alcatraz-themed potboiler was the final film initiated by the vaunted masters of the action McMovie, producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer; the flamboyant Simpson died of a drug overdose soon after its release. Modern synth-orchestra fusion master Hans Zimmer is unaccountably teamed with Nick Glennie-Smith and Harry Gregson-Williams here, and the results are, well, just McFine. Not surprisingly, Zimmer’s done better work on better films. –Jerry McCulley
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Lots of hyphenated names are present in this smashing soundtrack. Hans Zimmer, Nick Glennie-Smith,and Harry Gregson-Williams do a phenomenal job in composing the music for this movie. It is hard to tell which composer came up with what cue. Hans Zimmer came up with the main theme and some other main cues used in the film. Track 1, which is the best track and also basically the main title, opens quietly stating a main cue, came up with by Hans Zimmer. Following that is the main theme both orchestral and synthesized with some choir. I love the trumpet solo used in this track. After that, it speeds up a tad and gets a little more into the action side. I love the low brass or synthesized music here, I can’t tell which is being used. The end has the trumpet solo again, which is really good. Track 2 starts off with the loud music used to end the last track,followed by a new theme. This track is basically track 1 continued. The exact same stuff heard in track 1 is on track 2, just arranged a bit differently. Track 3 is a very soft, pretty theme for Jade, the daughter of Sean Connery’s character in the movie. Flutes play the theme which make it innocent and beautiful. Great track. Track 4 is back to the same music heard in the first 2 tracks. Only this time, the percussion is a key factor in the scoring. There is more percussion sound in this one than any other track. A new theme is stated, followed by the main title. Over-synthesized percussion almost ruined this track. Also, the electric guitar is used for the first time in this track to accompany the theme. A trumpet solo is used at the end to finish out the track. This one rocks! Track 5 starts out with a different arrangement of the theme,followed by Jade’s theme also arranged differently. A brief trumpet solo is heard quietly over the synthesized chords. Kind of a slow moving track for the first part. Big surprise, about half way through, it speeds up a bit and increases volume. Kind of a boring track compared to the others until the end where it builds to its climax. Track 6 can’t find a theme at first, but does speed up your heartbeat about 2 minutes into the track. Great music heard here, especially the trumpet solo stating the theme again. Basic track 1 and 2 sounds heard here. This track is very long, but explosive cuz of the rockets. Get it! Not too loud, or harsh. Nicely done! Track 7 is a completely different sound on this soundtrack. It’s as if the 3 composers were abducted and taken over by someone else to write this one. Still a very nice melody played by the guitar. Track 8 is a fast paced track similar to to the other fast paced ones in the soundtrack. Different versions of the theme are used. Driving percussion is a key factor in this one just like in track 4. Too much of it is used once again, but the electric guitar saves it. Action packed and adrenaline pumping! Overall, this CD is a must have especially if you like fast paced, heart pumping soundtracks. Why this CD is long (60 min.) is because the same themes are played over and over again in each track. The good thing about that is that each time they are arranged differently. Outstanding CD! Good job guys!