Road House (1989) - Surprisingly Great Score!

Alright guys, HughesReviews here. I just re-watched Road House (the OG, not that Gyllenhaal…thing) and I gotta say, Michael Kamen's score completely elevates this movie. I mean, Patrick Swayze kicking butt is always entertaining, but Kamen's music really sells the drama and the grit of the Double Deuce. The opening, with that bluesy guitar riff as you see the sign...instantly sets the mood. Then, when things really start getting crazy, the orchestra kicks in. Remember the scene where Dalton is fighting Tinker? The score goes absolutely nuts - it's almost operatic! It turns a simple bar brawl into something almost mythic, which is totally absurd but also kinda... awesome. It's not a perfect score – some of the synth stuff sounds a bit dated now (it IS from '89!), but overall it's incredibly effective. Kamen knew exactly how to use the music to build tension and amplify the action. Honestly, without the score, Road House would probably be just another cheesy action flick. With it, it's a ridiculously entertaining cheesy action flick WITH A KICK-ASS SCORE. Anyone else a fan of Kamen's work here? Let me know what you think! Oh and the Director was Rowdy Herrington, if anyone was wondering. I hate when I forget that stuff. Anyway, back to listening to soundtracks!