[ do not know about the CD however I was very interested in this score after enjoying Jackman's excellent Jumanji effort. It is a decent sounding and listening album, but I feel I personally will pass on the CD after listening to the score which sounds like a "Ken Thornism" of Silvestri's Predator by Jackman. It came off as a rehash of all of Silvestri's main ideas. I wonder if they gave Silvestri a credit in the movie.
Your Ken Thornism remark has officially piqued my interest in this.
Problem is that Silvestri's ideas have such distinct and compelling flavor by this point that even decent material by Jackman pales when put side by side. I was enjoying this until I realized I was only enjoying it for the various arrangements of Silvestri's music. And I really dig some of the original things that Jackman has created.
As I can see there is still no physical CD release listed at the usual European online stores - it also was much too quiet on such a previous annoucement over the last weeks. I am not very optimistic that this physical CD release will happen ... As the film did not well in cinemas I guess this plan was abandoned and it will remain a digital release only ...
NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!! Dammit !!
At least Rambling Records in Japan just announced a physical CD of another digital only Lakeshore title (Destination Wedding), so as they say "hope springs eternal" (for Predator as well).
I still have yet to see the movie itself, but I grabbed a copy of the CD at Amoeba Records last week and I gotta say, I'm totally enjoying Jackman's music here. His new thematic material is catchy and his interpolations and variations on Silvestri's material is imaginative. It's pretty cool that we have this score along with Debney's propulsive work on Predators representing a cool continuation of the 'ol Silvestri vibe.
I have found Jackman's score to be quite good - much usage of Silvestri's themes, as is necessary. I liked the film too, probably my favourite of Shane Black's efforts. Still not as good as #1 and #2, but fun and fulfillingly violent. My criticism would be there was/is not enough dread though. Good laughs, pretty good characters, excellent aliens (!), but needed more sober recognition of impending mortality... .
Jackman did a good job. Will have to acquire this (and Mr. Balfe's Mission Impossible Fallout score).
