[Thor Joachim Haga]

I was never a big fan of CLIFFHANGER, to be honest, so I sold the CD years ago. Even if I have a nostalgic connection to the film. The LAST OF THE MOHICANS soundalike theme was actually the best part, I thought. Interestingly, I’m also no big fan of the “muppet scores” to LABYRINTH and THE DARK CRYSTAL, although I think the latter film is a bloody masterpiece. Something about the “whiney” themes there that grate on me, if that makes sense (it probably doesn’t).

I echo EXCALIBUR (although his medieval tropes play second fiddle to the Wagner), the propulsive RUNAWAY TRAIN, the sumptous DARK CITY and the Zimmer-like G.I. JANE.

Also shout-outs to less talked about works – NATE AND HAYES (great, rollicking adventure score), THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH (about the Amundsen/Scott polar race) and the warm CRISS CROSS with its THE DEER HUNTER-like main theme. And from his wind-down period in the 2000s – AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, LOCH NESS and AEGIS. The ‘comeback’ score that I mentioned earlier, TO TOKYO, is also quite beautiful.