Universal Soldier: The Return (Soundtrack) by Don Davis


Tracksounds Rating = 3/10			Composed by Don Davis Performed by Uncredited Released by Varese Sarabande September 1999

Track	Title	Time	Rating	Straighten Up, Soldier by Christopher Coleman Coming off the hugely successful film The Matrix, Don Davis leaps back into the fray with his score for the seldom watched Universal Soldier 2. This score was released released much later than The Matrix, but was reportedly composed before it. In any case, it is most unfortunate that Don Davis does not employ the innovative style he exhibited in The Matrix. Probably the best of the bunch is track 1, Target Devereux. An expectantly militaristic feel permeates this track. It tends to remind one of Jerry Goldsmith from time to time. This track gives the elusion that the listener may be in for a somewhat of a trip down the Matrix road, but that is quickly dispelled by track 2, Jet Ski Spree. Jet Ski Spree along with track 6, Unisol Assault, demonstrate some of the worst guitar incorporated into film score in some time. While most of this score sounds like there were budget constraints running ramped, these two tracks are truly unlistenable. A nice respite is found in track 4, Hillary Remembers. This is a very soft introspective piece performed primarly by the piano and synths. There is a light and tender melody in the first half of the track which shows off a small piece of Davis’ treasure trove of talent. The latter half is somewhat in line with The Matrix’s mystical music from the etherworld. Universal Soldier 2 is one of those film that probably should not have been made. It is funny, in a sad sort of way, that Varese Sarabande give us so much of such a bad score while getting a bit conservative on much better scores. Sadly, only trace elements of The Matrix can be found in this score and certainly nothing of Warriors of Virtue quality. See also: The Matrix Warriors of Virtue Don Davis: Composing a New Reality
1	Target: Deveraux	4:23	***
2	Jet Ski Spree	3:08	none
3	Luc Water	1:33	**
4	Hillary Remembers	3:26	**
5	Seth Mutinous	5:20	*
6	Unisol Assault	1:49	none
7	Romeo Rundown	2:32	**
8	Seth Sentiment	3:32	*
9	Luc's Remorse	4:37	**
10	The Aftermath	1:50	*
11	The Abduction of Hillary	5:58	**
12	The Final Confrontation	11:10	*
	Total PlayingTime	49:13

Category		Score
Film Continuity		na
Originality		2
CD Length		5
Track Order		3
Performance		3
Final Score		3


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All artwork from Universal Soldier 2: The Return is exclusive property of Varese Sarabande (c) 1999. Its appearance is for imformational purposes only.