CD REVIEW - The Sentinel


The Sentinel
Music by Christophe Beck
Varese Sarabande 302 066 729 2 (U.S.)
18 Tracks 53:03 mins

I seem to recall a horror film by this title, but no, this is not a remake, but a new thriller from director Clark Johnson, starring Michael Douglas as a blackmailed Secret Service Agent on the run, seeking to prove his innocence and save the President's life.
I recently lamented the fact that composer Christophe Beck has become somewhat typecast in comedy films. Well, this is certainly a change of pace for him but, whilst it is a serviceable score, he doesn't really take his chance with both hands, as there's nothing really compelling about the music on disc.
Beck mixes orchestra with electronics to produce much suspenseful and menacing music, with an almost constant rhythmic undercurrent, courtesy of analog synthesizers. An enlarged brass section adds power to the action cues, but what excitement is generated usually doesn't persist; whilst the composer omits woodwinds altogether, resulting is very little warmth to the score.
Oh well, I guess it's back to the comedies, but I live in hope of one day hearing a great serious film score from Christophe Beck.