Search - Bruce Broughton :: Lost in Space

A modern score worthy of the golden years of film scoring...

Mr. Michael R. Evans | Melbourne, Australia | 04/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of the John Williams music composed for the original TV series which this film was based on.(I highly recommend the CDs of this music which Amazon.com have for sale at present).I read that Bruce Broughton (who did an equally magnificent job with his score for TOMBSTONE, capturing the essence of the great symphonic Western scores of yesteryear such as THE BIG COUNTRY) had to rush to complete this score for the release of LOST IN SPACE in cinemas. John Williams had been sought by the producers to redo (and add to?) his original material but due to commitments to Steven Spielberg was ultimately unavailable. Whether Broughton was the studio's next choice is unknown to me but happily he was given the assignment and created one of the best scores I've heard in recent years. This "complete score" CD soundtrack is welcome as the earlier soundtrack only contained highlights from his score, adding pop vocal material which - in the main- was barely noticeable in the film.(A good thing in my opinion as nothing dates a film more quickly than contemporary music, and this is a futuristic film!) No doubt the record company wished to "cross" the soundtrack and pop markets. Viewing the (underrated and cleverly made) movie I would notice music cues which had not made it on to the earlier CD and lament this, however this has at last been redressed by the score CD. The review above mine (which raises the issue about Academy Award nominations)is right on target. This is a sweeping, majestic score which is beautifully orchestrated and played and - like all good film scores- elevated a good film and made it better than ever. The main theme is cleverly employed in different ways throughout the score, reaching its peak in track no 16 (The Time Portal), where a lush use of strings underscores the emotional climax of the film (when John Robinson is restored to his family).Track 2 (Preparing for Space) is also one of the best cues. Even those who were not enamoured of this movie (as I was) should recognize the epic quality of its music.Broughton had a lot to live up to (the original TV score, other famous sci-fi scores by Williams and Jerry Goldsmith etc.) but rose to the occasion under less than ideal circumstances and produced a film score for this genre that sets a new standard."

An Underated Classic. Worth the money (and the wait)!!!!!!

Finnius McArbuckle | OakTown | 07/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This score is quite possibly the most underated score ever composed, which in my humble opinion is a tragedy. This score should be hailed as a classic (which it is). The main theme is perfect and completley upstages the film itself. Doctor Smiths theme is devilishly malevolent while at the same time being playful (which is the characters' essence). Among the better tracks on this CD are "Into the Sun", "Preparing for Space", "The Launch", "Spiders", "A New World", "Guiding Stars", "The Time Bubbles", "Through the Planet", "Back into hyperspace", "Fanfare for Will" and the obligatorily titled "Lost in Space". These tracks are the perfect collection of Action Music and 16th Century-esque romantic music. If you like John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith- you will LOVE this score. It is the best of both of those composers (with a LOT more originality). This score is a classic and this excellent release of it is far superior to the rock/alternative/score variety sountrack released a year earlier. The only debit (a small one) is that it is missing the Apollo Four Fourty Mix of the John Williams main title-which I will admit is among my guilty musical pleasures in life. Oh well...I'll take this score anyday because it is a classic.P.S. WHERE WAS THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES WHEN THEY SELECTED 1998 BEST SCORE NOMINEES?!?!"