Welcome reissue of dynamic Harry Manfredini score for 1989 underwater horror film! Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Miguel Ferrer, Nia Peeples, Greg Evigan star, Mario Kassar & Andrew Vajna executive produce, Sean S. Cunningham directs. Several underwater pictures opened in 1989 including Leviathan, The Abyss and DeepStar Six. Regarding the latter, points go to sincere acting with a minimum of cheap humor and false alarms. Prime assets: Players take it seriously and director Cunningham sets it in motion without a smirk. Smart, not smart-ass. Primary liability: familiar creature-on-the-loose storyline. Major plus: Harry Manfredini offers his most dynamic, symphonic score at that time. Described by the composer as channeling his inner-Goldsmith, Manfredini creates rich underwater mood in opening sequence, with especially warm major-key line for unison French horns. “Shock Wave” sets the action into high gear with Manfredini totally in command. From here, composer and film deliver the shocks with minimal respite. Action highlights abound. Further assets are numerous lengthy cues: “On The Edge” (5:37), “The Rescue” (6:07), “The Plan” (8:54), “Shark Darts” (5:30), “The Saga Of Osborne And Hodges” (8:39) and ferocious climactic “Final Encounters” (9:37). Longer duration of pieces contributes coherency to overall 70-minute score. Fun observation: Manfredini has several unique orchestration signatures but one in particular is on display here: during action sequences, trumpet parts often go up into the stratosphere! Original 1989 Intrada album was produced by the composer. Current reissue, courtesy Studiocanal, while offering modest improvement in remastered audio, features exact contents and sequence of original release. Owners of that recording need not apply. Recorded and mixed by Ron Capone at Sound Design Studios, Harry Manfredini, Arlon Ober, Harvey Cohen orchestrate, Harry Manfredini conducts. Intrada Special Collection release available on CD while quantities and interest last. Also newly available on digital format!
