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Lifeforce by Henry Mancini and Michael Kamen
01/12/2006 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
CD: BuySoundTrax BSXCD 8822. Price: $29.95 (US). 143 minutes. 46 tracks 2 CDs. Limited edition of 3000. Buy Lifeforce in the USA - or Buy Lifeforce in the UK  check out website: www.buysoundtrax.com
I remember seeing this film on television back in the late 80s and have to confess not being totally entertained. Seemed to be rushing past at a breakneck speed. According to the 16 page booklet with this duo limited CD of the film it was hardly surprising as the studio cut the film down left right and centre after composer Henry Mancini had orchestrated the music. Mancini was annoyed and working on another film so the studio turned to Michael Kamen to fill in the gap. Quite which version is out on DVD will have to wait for those hardy enough to investigate as it doesn't indicate on the Net.
What you have here is the original full version by Mancini on the first and opening of the second CD with Kamen's filling the remainder. Oddly enough, Kamen's music actually complements Mancini's. It might have been interesting to have a version with both integrated together to see if people could spot the join. However, the way it is tends to make for two set pieces of orchestration.
Although Henry Mancini is best remembered for his more catchy tunes, the booklet reminds of his upbringing in the Universal Studios music production team where he composed with others for all manner of SF films including 'It Came From Outer Space', 'Creature From The Black Lagoon' and 'This Island Earth' amongst others. Being offered 'Lifeforce' was pretty much a trip back to his roots.
Interestingly, Mancini goes for emotional output with his compositions here. Although it's designed to accompany the beats of the film, it isn't there for you to hum along to. I can quite understand his reluctance to come back and re-pace everything for the Studio edit, especially as they knocked twenty minutes off the film. No doubt if the film was on first release today, we'd have two versions of the film out on DVD by now. As it is, your best bet is to buy this CD and hear the music the way it should have been used. It's dynamic and a pleasant way to pass a couple hours listening time.
GF Willmetts
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