Search - Jerry Goldsmith :: Executive Decision: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

A standard action score with a Goldsmith twist.

brettjames | NY | 07/03/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, we've all heard average action scores. While the movie Executive Decision is nothing special, Goldsmith compliments it well with his orchestral score. This score is not as memorable as some of his other works, but is still interesting. The CD only contains about 30 minutes of music."

Make an "Executive Decision" to purchase this album!

Varese Fan | Sunny FL | 08/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As with all of his scores, Jerry Goldsmith has written a truly authentic piece of work creating a great deal of realism. EXECUTIVE DECISION was released 5 years before 9/11 and Jerry managed to create the same feelings we all feel about terrorism nowadays. Listen to "The Map" and I bet people like bin Laden will automatically pop into your head. He also adds some ethnic tones to the score giving us a sense of who these guys are dealing with. Like with all Goldsmith themes, this one has a message. In this one the message is simply this: America is in trouble and these men are our only hope, but it's going to be quite a challenge for them.If you are looking for action, you got it! Listen to "All Aboard", which underscores the drill team climbing from the ramora to the bomb-ridden aircraft. You'll enjoy it right to its stunning conclusion. You will also enjoy "The Sleeper" which signals the peak of the team's mission. Yes, the album is very short, but rest assure that many of the best of material is presented. I am sure Goldsmith tried his very best (as always) to represent the film itself on the album, even though it still fell short because of re-use fees (which, of course, are what affect the CD's length). One of the clever things Jerry does in arranging the album is putting "The Ramora" after "The Sleeper". It signals the climax of the movie even though (in the film) it actually underscores the beginning of the drill team's flight.There is more to a score than memorability and complexity. The most important part is the effectiveness. And while EXECUTIVE DECISION may not be the most listenably memorable and complex score, it is definitely one of surprising believability. In my opinion, that is enough to make it pass. It just shows that Jerry has a gift that not too many composers possess."

Average Actioner from Goldsmith

brettjames | 01/21/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A Goldsmith score is always worth a listen, & this CD is no exeption. He has come up with a bold brass-led theme over pounding percussion (electronic?), which is best heard in 'The Map', & 'The Ramora'. Most of the rest of the score is suspense & tension building, with thematic elements mixing with delicious stop-start suspense & clever interplay between different sections of the (fairly small) orchestra. The second cue is best, pounding along with real pace & excitement for five minutes, & the rest of the score is probably best heard in the film. The only other exciting moment is 'The Sleeper', for about one and a half minutes. Unfortunately this is not too interesting, & overly reminiscent of Basic Instinct & Total Recall. However, this is a nice score, which has it's moments - but it's not up to the standard of, say First Knight or Air Force One. But, like all Goldsmiths' scores, it's well worth a listen."