This is the film that thumbed its nose at Willis and Schwarzenegger, proving that respectable actors like John Cusack, John Malkovich, and Nicolas Cage could star in a big, dumb action McMovie, too--or was that The Rock? W... more »hatever, this Jerry Bruckheimer (Hey, didn't he do The Rock, too?) produced thrill ride features a muscular score by former rock producer Mark Mancina and ex-Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin. Big, bad, and--dare we say it--ballsy, Mancina utilizes unusual percussive samples beneath the synth bombast while Rabin's soaring guitar lines frequently ape Jeff Beck. At least he's got good taste. --Jerry McCulley« less
This is the film that thumbed its nose at Willis and Schwarzenegger, proving that respectable actors like John Cusack, John Malkovich, and Nicolas Cage could star in a big, dumb action McMovie, too--or was that The Rock? Whatever, this Jerry Bruckheimer (Hey, didn't he do The Rock, too?) produced thrill ride features a muscular score by former rock producer Mark Mancina and ex-Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin. Big, bad, and--dare we say it--ballsy, Mancina utilizes unusual percussive samples beneath the synth bombast while Rabin's soaring guitar lines frequently ape Jeff Beck. At least he's got good taste. --Jerry McCulley
Exhilarating Music...Thrilling Sound....Missing the Romance
L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 11/06/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This review refers to "Con Air: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"....."Con Air" was a terrific action-packed film,filled with top notch actors, edge of your seat moments, and even a little romance. The music though, is really something special. Composed by Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin, it really captures the tense, blood pumping,moments of the story. Even on it's own,it's an album you can listen to and feel exhilareted by any time. I enjoy putting it on in the car, it will defintely keep you awake on those long and boring drives.All the tracks are instrumental, and if you have seen the movie, the music will have you recalling "The Con Air Theme","Lear Crash","The Takeover", "The Battle in The Boneyard" and the wonderful "Overture".(see buying info for complete track listings). The only thing that is missing from the soundtrack is the beautiful ballad,"How Can I Live". This song was a very big part of the romantic aspect of the film and should have been included.And afterall it was nominated at Oscar time for Best Song. For this reason alone I am going with 4 stars instead of 5.The music fills the room(or the car) and is joy to listen to.The drums (Lou Molino III) are a standout. There are 17 tracks in all. They range from an all to short "The Fight" at 0.22 to a breathtaking 7.41 min of "Battle in the BoneYard", most somewhere in betweeen.More thrilling than the film itself!(but missing the romance!)enjoy....Laurie"
Quite good.
Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 11/27/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I got this CD in summer 1997 and I have loved it ever since. Tho after a while the slight tackiness of the music becomes noticable. But the movie ain't exactly high art so I guess it's kind of a match. The music on this CD ranges from occasional noise to all out action with several awesome themes. The first track opens with the noise that I am talking about. But it does sound dead cool tho. The main Con Air theme is so Media Ventures. Trevor Rabin (Armageddon) and Mark Mancina (Speed 1 and 2) make a great scoring duo and their soundtrack kicks... Obviously the main theme is for Cameron Poe, the hero played by Nicolas Cage. It's very heroic and determined. The bad guy music? Well, lemme just say that whenever it kicks in you know Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom is on screen.Several tracks contain some wonderful guitar riffs and tracks 13 and 16 are perfect examples of action/chase music. It's rousing stuff indeed. High class it certainly is not and neither will it be highly regarded or even remembered in a few years time. But this CD is toe-tappin', air-punching, kick-(butt) fun. Too bad it doesn't have Trisha Yearwood's 'How do I Live'. That would really have made it a nice little package. Well that and a slightly better case. It's too cheap looking, and the insert is crappy. A minor quibble tho. Buy it whenever you get the chance. It's well worth the time."
Great sound!!!!
Inspector Gadget | 10/26/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Very good music! If you hear this music you will remember many movie scenes. Much power in this music. You feel the speed of the action in "Con Air". The only two things to object to: 1. only a few change in the music, nearly all tracks sounds like the same, 2. I missed "Sweet Home Alabama" on the CD, that would have given a greater feeling of remembering the movie!!! That's why I rate 4 stars for the soundtrack, nothing is really perfect, (except me?! just kidding...)"
Clashes of discordance.
Ben Riddle | Cuyahoga Falls, OH USA | 01/09/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love "Con Air" as a movie, but the score on this CD which I'd been waiting to get for quite some time, is both quite enjoyable and somewhat disappointing. After the "Speed" movies, "Bad Boys", "Armageddon", and "Enemy of the State", I knew that Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin are both adept film composers in their own right. Unfortunately, their attempt at collaboration on "Con Air" leaves something to be desired. The tracks are not in the same sequence as they appear in the film, but of course, that's to be expected of some recording labels. Even though the score has a strong theme, you can tell by listening to the CD (much less so in the film) that Mancina's and Rabin's musical styles are trying so hard to mix together into a smashing combination that it ultimately doesn't work and the styles clash together like dueling lightsabers. In plain English, some tracks on this CD sound too much like "Speed" and some tracks sound too much like "Armageddon". But Mancina and Rabin do get four starts from me for their efforts."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
