Juice: Bishop's Score and That Twisted 'Juice' Myth...

Alright soundtrack heads, Hughesreviews here! Been revisiting "Juice" (1992) lately, and man, that soundtrack still hits hard. But I've been thinking beyond the obvious bangers on the album and focusing on the score itself. A lot of people talk about "Juice" being about power, but I think it's more specifically about the illusion of juice. Bishop, right from the get-go, is chasing something that isn't really there. He mistakenly thinks robbing the store will make him respected, but he just descends into paranoia and violence. Think about the way the score builds during the convenience store robbery scene. It's not triumphant or empowering, it's laced with anxiety and discord. It's unsettling. I think that reflects Bishop's distorted perception. He believes he’s achieving "juice," but the music tells us it's a false power. When Bishop tells Q that he's got the juice, the score that could have elevated him only makes him sound insane. It's not about power, but the price of it. Also, hear me out on this borderline-crackpot theory: what if "juice" isn't a metaphor for power, but for the desire for power? The craving. Bishop craves it, he thinks having a gun makes him untouchable. But that craving destroys him. The score in the chase scene is a great example of how it underscores that feeling. The music gets more sparse the more powerful he is. It's a stark contrast to his craving and the emptiness of everything he is chasing. It's a really interesting film on multiple levels, and I think underappreciated, specially the score. Anyway, just some thoughts. What are your favorite musical moments in "Juice"? Let me know!