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"Showdown in Little Tokyo's" Score: Underrated Gem?

Alright, Hughes here. Let's talk "Showdown in Little Tokyo." Yeah, the Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee buddy cop movie. It's...well, it's definitely a movie. But I'm not here to talk about the plot (or lack thereof). I wanna focus on the score, credited to David Michael Frank. I think it's seriously underrated and a perfect example of how even a kinda cheesy action flick can have a killer score. Frank blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with hard-hitting 90s action cues really well. There's a scene where they're raiding the Yakuza hideout, and the taiko drums just HYPE you up. It somehow makes the admittedly ridiculous fight choreography feel way more epic than it has any right to be. I also love that synth heavy theme that plays when Kenner is having flashbacks to his childhood. It's got a very mournful and reflective tone. I've always thought the score walks a fine line between genuinely atmospheric and outright camp, and surprisingly lands on the more effective side. Maybe its because the actual movie is so over-the-top it balances the score out, or maybe I'm just a sucker for that early 90s synth action sound. I'm not saying it's John Williams or anything, but for a movie that most people probably remember for Dolph Lundgren's line deliveries, it's way better than it needs to be. Anyone else actually listen to the "Showdown in Little Tokyo" score? Am I alone in thinking it's a hidden gem? Let me know your thoughts! I'm always looking for more opinions when it comes to this topic.

hughesreviews
about 1 month ago
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