Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace
Robert Folk
" who knew lawn mowing could be such exciting? "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
It's strange how things turn out. Look for instance at The Lawnmower Man, an ordinary movie (loosely based on a short story by Stephen King) that suddenly received a cult following after it aired in cinemas and on VHS. It even became a worldwide box office success, which inevitably led to a sequel starring the same character Jobe Smith (this time played by Matt Frewer). But people were not so kind to the sequel, and it quickly became an inferior experience (both in ratings and at the box office). So, it's a sheer wonder that composer Robert Folk was even inspired to write something this huge.
Then again, Robert Folk's sound is usually huge, and Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace sounds as typical as any other Folk score I encountered. The main asset is the amazing main theme, a wondrous fanfare for the wonder of cyberspace, the city, perhaps even the god that is the lawnmower man. It's a big ass fantasy theme that states its very first presence in "The City" (after an honest to god opening ala Close Encounters), shares its wonder during "Kids in Cyberspace", puts up a firework display during "Virtual Light Tour", influences the character's main theme in "Jobe's Theme", or blows us away during the amazing "The Kiron Explosion" and the astounding "Finale". Hearing just these moments makes you a believer of Robert Folk's talent and potential.
But sometimes, Folk overkills his own music too. And Lawnmower Man 2 is overkilling it too frequently. Trust me when I say this, there is nothing wrong about powerful orchestral action / suspense music, blowing you away through its rhythm and powerful sound. But sometimes it's just too much to handle, and this is exactly that. I'm astounded that Folk had so much to say for such a stupid movie, but the thematic ideas do not follow the pompous sound of the orchestra. Occasionally Folk does it right (moments of "The Train" and the begin and end of "Virtual Reality Battleground"), but sometimes it's too much as well (something a track like "The Train" will show you as well).
So, for 65 minutes, you're actually getting more than one bargained for. Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace deserves a shorter presentation, a moment here and there that one could delete rather than experience. This is not bad music, or simple music. No this is balls to the walls adventure music that sadly lacks a breather or a thematic guideline, by that making this soundtrack a harsher one to experience. You can make a great 30 minute album of it, if you just make sure that the main theme ends it the way we receive it here.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (4.16)
2. The City (2.49)
3. Kids in Cyberspace (3.36)
4. Virtual Light Tour (3.04)
5. Jobe's Memory (1.44)
6. Jobe's Realization (2.00)
7. The Train (5.54)
8. Jobe's Theme (2.04)
9. Institute Recon (5.05)
10. Stealing The Kicon Chip (6.35)
11. The Alarm (4.56)
12. Inspecting The Kiron Chip (2.11)
13. The President (2.59)
14. Jobe's War (4.01)
15. Streets of Anarchy (3.48)
16. Virtual Reality Battleground (4.57)
17. The Kiron Explosion (2.20) Excellent track
18. Finale (2.41) Excellent track
Total Length: 65.00
Then again, Robert Folk's sound is usually huge, and Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace sounds as typical as any other Folk score I encountered. The main asset is the amazing main theme, a wondrous fanfare for the wonder of cyberspace, the city, perhaps even the god that is the lawnmower man. It's a big ass fantasy theme that states its very first presence in "The City" (after an honest to god opening ala Close Encounters), shares its wonder during "Kids in Cyberspace", puts up a firework display during "Virtual Light Tour", influences the character's main theme in "Jobe's Theme", or blows us away during the amazing "The Kiron Explosion" and the astounding "Finale". Hearing just these moments makes you a believer of Robert Folk's talent and potential.
But sometimes, Folk overkills his own music too. And Lawnmower Man 2 is overkilling it too frequently. Trust me when I say this, there is nothing wrong about powerful orchestral action / suspense music, blowing you away through its rhythm and powerful sound. But sometimes it's just too much to handle, and this is exactly that. I'm astounded that Folk had so much to say for such a stupid movie, but the thematic ideas do not follow the pompous sound of the orchestra. Occasionally Folk does it right (moments of "The Train" and the begin and end of "Virtual Reality Battleground"), but sometimes it's too much as well (something a track like "The Train" will show you as well).
So, for 65 minutes, you're actually getting more than one bargained for. Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace deserves a shorter presentation, a moment here and there that one could delete rather than experience. This is not bad music, or simple music. No this is balls to the walls adventure music that sadly lacks a breather or a thematic guideline, by that making this soundtrack a harsher one to experience. You can make a great 30 minute album of it, if you just make sure that the main theme ends it the way we receive it here.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (4.16)
2. The City (2.49)
3. Kids in Cyberspace (3.36)
4. Virtual Light Tour (3.04)
5. Jobe's Memory (1.44)
6. Jobe's Realization (2.00)
7. The Train (5.54)
8. Jobe's Theme (2.04)
9. Institute Recon (5.05)
10. Stealing The Kicon Chip (6.35)
11. The Alarm (4.56)
12. Inspecting The Kiron Chip (2.11)
13. The President (2.59)
14. Jobe's War (4.01)
15. Streets of Anarchy (3.48)
16. Virtual Reality Battleground (4.57)
17. The Kiron Explosion (2.20) Excellent track
18. Finale (2.41) Excellent track
Total Length: 65.00