Search - Jerry Goldsmith :: Small Soldiers: Original Motion Picture Score

Jerry Goldsmith's grand orchestral accompaniment to a film about state-of-the-art puppet warriors is technically competent, rich in stereophonic sound, grounded in sweet European symphonic traditions, and of obvious enchantment to those enjoying the visuals and narrative quirks for which each track is intended. However, most of the listening experience, from the standpoint of a home audience, is listless and dull, another dip into Goldsmith goulash. Fans of Joe Dante's Gremlins may have heard permutations of this music before. Still, there are some singular moments, such as dramatic march themes and cute variations on "Johnny Comes Marching Home." It is, after all, an original soundtrack and not a bunch of dippy songs slapped together for cross-promotional purposes. For that alone, some credit is due. --Joseph Lanza