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Posted: |
May 21, 2009 - 2:03 PM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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I grew up in the 80's, but somehow missed these two cult movies. I've just seen them now.
It's quite amazing that so few people had seen the potential of comedy in the combination of a werewolf/transformation thematic and the issues of pubertal teenagers going through their own physical transformations before this. Additionally, these films are just as much about the eternal theme of "being oneself" and not pretending to be someone you're not. After all, they end up fighting their final obstacle in their human form, not their werewolf "super"-form. The big problem here, however, is that the werewolf persona is just as much a part of who they are, so the whole moral seems a bit....well, half-baked.
Michael J. Fox is in top form in TEEN WOLF, fresh of his BACK TO THE FUTURE success, and although the film has its fair share of clichées, it's quite enjoyable for what it is.
Musically, the late Miles Goodman provides both the score and the songs. The score is rather lackluster...basically just some random synth outbursts with little form or fashion (except the hilarious "Chariots of Fire" nod in the beginning). The songs, however, are quite good. I especially love the funky songs at the disco, such as "Big Bad Wolf" performed by the Wolf Sisters, whoever they are.
TEEN WOLF TOO is a much lesser affair, I'm afraid. Many of the actors from the first film return, except the lead played by Jason Bateman, who unfortunately does not not possess the same charisma as Fox. It's basically just a repeat of the first film, using the same ingredients, but altering them slightly (boxing instead of basketball, a new principal, a new jock, a new nerd girl etc.). And once you lose the "puberty" thematic, the werewolf thing is reduced to a gimmick only (by the way, why do the werewolves in these movies look like they're from PLANET OF THE APES?).
Score is by someone named Mark Goldenberg, who I've never heard of (related to Billy?). Basically VERY cheap-sounding, "Casio" synth grooves a la Maurice Jarre at his worst. But the song selection is quite good.
There's the beautiful "Send Me an Angel" song by Real Life, slightly reminiscent of Eurythmics, but perhaps better known in Oakenfold's remix, played over a love/studying for the test-scene.
However, the real attraction for me (and the real reason for watching these now in the first place) were the two songs by Oingo Boingo. First is an edited version of the uptempo, ska-inspired "Who Do You Want To Be" from GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL played over the long training montage. From there, it moves immediately on to Boingo's "Outrageous" from BOI-NGO, accompanying Bateman's wolf character leading the high life with expensive cars and women. Great fun!
So, how's the soundtrack situation for these?
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Thanks for posting.
Teen Wolf (the first one) is one of my top "Guilty Pleasures" from the 1980's!
Pure fun really. I guess I'm getting old when I find myself saying "They just don't make them like that anymore..." - but it's a fair comment IMHO.
Anyway, onto the soundtracks.
The first one was released on vinyl, cassette (though I've never seen one) - and also Compact Disc.
HOWEVER, the CD edition only saw light of day (i.e. a release!) in Germany and Japan. Odd, but on my extensive experiences tracking this title; also true.
The sequel as appeared on vinyl (I have a SEALED one For Sale if anyone is interested...) - and also cassette tape. As far as I know, NO country got a CD release for Teen Wolf Too.. which is hardly surprising given what I Box Office flop it was (I assume..)
So that's it.
*BEWARE* of a flurry of b**tlegs claiming to be the "25th Anniversary Edition" on CD on ebay. I'm sure that the sound quality will be fine (as they are probably direct from the *official* CD for TW1 - but there are also tracks from TW2 on there "too" (sorry!)
So avoid that - as not only does it look cr@p, it also further lessens the chances of us ever getting an "Official" release (ideally with 2x CD's - music and songs from BOTH movies).
Hope that info helps.
John.
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PS here's a link to amazon.co.uk, showing *most* of the releases I just covered:
http://tinyurl.com/qdfsjj
None available though - not even from private sellers. I forgot to stress just how RARE the Teen Wolf 1 Japanese/German editions are!
Gold dust, really.
John.
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I got this score, I can't remember, off ebay last year for like $30-50. I too love the songs and I like the score, my favorite is the pretty Shootin For the Moon, great song and very pretty.
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Goodman, man I miss him. Watch Childs Play, he wrote such a beautiful theme to that, along with some fun quirky stuff, but the real father/son theme is just incredible. We lost him WAY too soon.
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I got this score, I can't remember, off ebay last year for like $30-50. I too love the songs and I like the score, my favorite is the pretty Shootin For the Moon, great song and very pretty.
For me it's always been a straight tie between "Win In The End" and "Shooting For The Moon" - they appear back-to-back in the movie and are used perfectly IMHO.
- and without hopefully giving away any SPOILERS, I've always liked the "Full circle" nature of the film itself, with the closing "Basket" mirroring the very first opening shot of the movie.
Fantastic stuff. A true gem from the '80s!
John.
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Two kind of dopey comedies with exceptional scores, which made me look up who the composer was (and find out it was Miles Goodman) were "Larger Than Life" and "Dunston Checks In."
"Larger Than Life" had a soundtrack release (samples here):
http://www.amazon.com/Larger-Than-Soundtrack-Miles-Goodman/dp/B00000APAV
"Dunston Checks In" I thought had an even better score, which apparently has not been released (yet). Goodman had a gift for melody, and knew how to punch up the comic moments in a film.
I miss him too.
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