About the Soundtrack: Sylvester Stallone's latest effort, "Rambo" is scored by Brian Tyler, who recently wrapped up work on another end product of the 70s and 80s, Aliens vs. Predator.  At this point, Brian might feel like he's stuck in some sort of time warp.  Unlike AvP, however, "Rambo" delivers the goods and then some, notching a very honorable follow-up to the work of Jerry Goldsmith, the late, great composer who provided the scores for the first 3 films in the franchise.  In an earlier interview with Tyler, he stated that Stallone sought his services for the film, an honor that the composer treated with great respect.  That respect translated to excellent work; "Rambo" is a very well made score.

 

What You Need to Know: The first thing that you should know is that the main theme from the previous films is intact with "Rambo."  Tyler made sure to include the landmark anthem in this 4th installment and it is used in good balance.  There is no overplay with it.  The other notable from this score is the new theme that was created for John Rambo, a motif that stands as the highlight of the album when ever it is played.  The new theme is a variation of Rambo's existing motif yet it's even more heartfelt in how it comes across. It conveys perfectly the sense of the reluctant hero, which is what Rambo is all about. I was really impressed in how Tyler was able to create this new theme while still keeping the vintage one present.

 

The album begins with the classic theme, introduced by a touch of guitar strings that precede it, and later introduces the new motif.  There's no doubt that you're watching a new "Rambo" movie after this title card plays out. As the music tracks the developments on screen, you'll be treated to a good dose of action fare along with hints of Burmese background elements, which adds to the local flavor of the film's setting.  For those of you who are familiar with the type of energy that Tyler brings to his music, you won't be disappointed here. There are a great deal of violent skirmishes and chase sequences throughout the movie, thus allowing Tyler to compose appropriately paced cues to match the action.  This makes for some rather intense sequences.

 

The soundtrack's high points are the final 3 tracks of the score, offering the new theme, the classic anthem and an engaging end credit finale, all in that order.  These cues are so enjoyable that I don't know if you'll hear a better sequence of 3 tracks in all of 2008.  If you're a fan of the Rambo scores going into this album than you'll especially be satisfied with how this disc ends up.  Honestly, even though I was luke warm on the film, hearing music like this makes me want yet another sequel to the Rambo franchise! 

 

Final Grade: Brian Tyler has further establishes himself with this excellent score.  He was able to honor the past material yet introduce his own mark into it at the same time.  That's a sign of a versatile, talented composer.  However, the best thing about "Rambo" is that the score isn't a rehash of anything we've heard before.  Instead, it's a soundtrack that is exciting and touching in its own right, and it's work that I'm sure Jerry Goldsmith himself would have been proud of.  I don't know how it gets any better than that.