Terminator 2: Judgment Day [Soundtrack]

There isn't that much to be said about Brad Fiedel's scores to the first two Terminator films other than that they have become iconic and unmistakable. The second score is by far the better score as it's also the better film. The themes are more refined and the score as a whole is a lot more cohesive and not so "80's". While I do think the first score feels dated I do think the second one does not. Yes, the use of electronics is heavy but given the story it works.

The Terminator theme to me echoes a history. It feels almost like a march to the forgotten and the use of the synthetic strings give it incredible weight. The propulsive percussion is hair raising and carries the sense of intensity and focus. The rest of the score is a weaving of synthetic sounds that create an intensity and underlaying danger. The clings and clangs of the percussions are representative of the two terminators duking it out. The terminator is a synthetic organism. It is a machine. So the use of synths is such a perfect way to represent that character in the music. This is a machine who must learn human emotion, and Fiedel manages to do exactly that with the music. Admit it, the end of this movie is sad. The synthetic score in a way becomes synthetic emotions just like the terminator's emotions. That is then projected onto the audience to make them connect.

The score is a classic and will forever be recognized as one of the great action scores of all time. It manages to create such a perfect soundscape for the film yet it still stands on its own. The theme while iconic can still stand independent from the film. Silva Screen has re-released this score which was previously out of print from a different label. It's nice to know that the score is available again without having to spend ludicrous amounts of money on Ebay.

If you like Terminator music this is fantastic! Super sound! I am totally pleased with this new issue of the soundtrack. Highly recommended...but only if you love the soundtrack like I do. Many may find this a bit harsh at times and often not melodic but as I said, if you like the soundtrack, buy this today!

First of all the front cover of the album is your standard picture with Schwarzenegger's face on the front cover. But what you should be looking forward to is the booklet Including pictures and linear notes where Brad Fiedel himself in detail explians how the production and process of the musical score which came to be. Thankfully Fiedel's music to the first two Terminator films weren't totally forgotten By laying the foundation his musical ground work would serve as inspiration for future composers such as Marco Beltrami, Bear Mccreary,and Danny Elfman Who just two years ago scored director Mc G's action spectacular Terminator Salvation. 20 years have passed since the soundtracks initial release Brad Fiedel's music still remains the musical benchmark to reach for future Terminator films although Silvascreen records version is a duplication of the original release by Vareese Sarabande. The music is crisp and clear with a more redefined sound design so the music is heard louder then ever before. Whearas the original was much lower in order to hear the music you have to crank up the volume just to get a decent listen overall this version of the soundtrack is undoubtibly a classic.

Being the flim score purist that i am it has to be said I love the music Brad Fiedel created for this movie I especially love how he blended the use of sound effects into the score for example at the very begining of track 11 you hear the T-1000's theme as the progresses it then combines with Arnold's theme hence the Title I'll Be Back its great because towards the end you hear these relentless sound effects which accompany T-1000 going absolutely bonkers. Another great Track is number 13 Tanker Chase which is very intense starting out with lots of percussion it isn't until 1:19 1:25 that you hear the tanker filping over on it's side it's amazing what one can do with music when blending the art of cinematography science and techology together.

You may have not noticed it but the main Terminator 2 theme can be heard from three other tracks Track 10 John & Dyson track 18 Terminator Revives 22:33 seconds and the tear jerking finale It's Over Goodbye playing from 2:57-4:05. I am proud to have the oppertunity to add this genuine masterpiece to my collection I would also like to thank the people at Slivascreen records for reviving the soundtrack giving Terminator fans around the world a chance to listen and appreciate the great composer that once was Brad Fiedel.