MovieChat Forums > The Hidden (1987) Discussion > Gets dragged down by switching from pop...

Gets dragged down by switching from pop music to cheesy synthesizers

posted 16 years ago by Navaros
10 replies | jump to latest

Why does this movie abruptly switch from pop music to cheesy syntheziser 'scary music' in the middle?

I found this to be quite jarring and inappropriate. I couldn't get into the movie when they were playing those cheesy synth cues all the time because it's just too corny and distracting. It breaks the serious context and immersion in the movie. The first 1/4 (or however long it was) when they had no cheesy synth cues (unless I heard things wrong...) and pop music instead was much better. They also date the movie a lot, but that's secondary to how cheesy and immersion-breaking they are.

I feel that they harmed the quality of this movie quite a bit with that bad decision to switch to cheesy synth cues. Which is a darn shame, because it might have been a true classic without them.

[–] jkerr8 16 years ago

I agree. One of the things holding this movie back from greatness is the lousy musical score.

[–] Inytum 15 years ago

Agree completely. The score started out pretty good and then got progessively worse. Nonetheless, great movie.

[–] TalkinPikchorBox 15 years ago

they used almost they same exact sound effects in terminator. i think they score was fine and used correctly.

[–] big_kmc 15 years ago

The music definitely was inexcusable. Especially with all the brilliant songs from the eighties that they had to choose from. I guess they had a small budget.

[–] NxNWRocks 14 years ago

The "music" in the hotel kitchen scene was inexcusable.

"Worthington, we're being attacked by giant bats!"

[–] gnome-5 14 years ago

"It breaks the serious context and immersion in the movie."

Did you really say the "serious context" of this movie? With alien-infested guys causing mayhem in Porsches? Bugs popping out of people's mouths?

O-kay...

[–] morley962 14 years ago

I agree with the person who says that the score is pretty much on a par with the score for Terminator...both are extremely similar, though admittedley Terminator pulls it off more successfully.

But both films were low budget and were not able to use 'name' bands or singers for the music tracks, and also like many, many low budget sci fi movies of the 80's the use of synths was de rigeur...everyone was doing it.

It does not detract from the enjoyment for me, despite it's cheesiness...ton's of 80's movies are subject to the same problem.

But y'know...it's a cool movie about an alien who for no apparent reason whatsoever likes to drive red ferrari's, listen to loud rock music and eat junk food.

How can you NOT love a concept like that?

[–] CptHowdy87 13 years ago

The music started off great with that thrash metal song by Dio but then the rest of the music was crappy girl bands that sounded quintesentially 80s. It should've had a soundtrack with Anthrax, Megadeth, Iron Maiden etc... Infact, if I can, I might try to edit a good soundtrack over the movie which would make it 10x more enjoyable.

[–] Hawk4570 13 years ago

Lead singer does sound a lot like Ronnie James Dio, but the band is 'Shok Paris'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpQYte_bF-A

"They couldn't hit an elephant at this distan..."
General John Sedgwick, battle of Spostylvania.

[–] Indifferent_Observer 13 years ago

Its your typical 80's soundtrack. Doesn't hurt the film, it defines the times.