Otherwise it's a great (though admittedly still flawed) cop thriller that is 80s in all the best ways. But the music, dear God, it just doesn't fit. At all.
The film's second half is way better because the score is used less. Imagine The French Connection, and paste ridiculous 80s music over it, and that's how I feel about this one.
EDIT: I wish the blu-ray offered an option to watch the film without any music.
At some points there was a background sinister hum that provided great atmosphere, but otherwise I also hated the music. It's not out of place considering the time when the movie has been produced, but they could still have used something else - if not something older, then at least something else from the 80's. However, when I decided to watch the movie I was aware that it was going to contain that music, so I was sort of braced for it . Besides, I suppose that the music was supposed to grant the movie a contemporary feel, so, well - it's just bad luck that this type of music aged so badly.
there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above her shoulder
Funnily enough I hated the group Wang Chung prior to the film being released, - and before I knew they'd be doing the soundtrack, - but I loved the use of their music in the film; in fact, I don't think it could be improved upon
"Where's the rest of me??... Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.!"
I guess it's inevitable that films relying on '80s music will sound dated to most viewers, but I liked the soundtrack.
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Hello, Tabbby! I hope you are well.
Thanks so much for that link! I love that remake of the song "To Live and Die in L.A." – very bubbly and ethereal. Sounds very romantic, actually.
Fück off! The music was awesome.
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Wang Chung did an awesome job - that is all
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As a bystander who has only recently viewed the film twice, the music is bad. I love music from the 80s but Wang Chung was a bad thought. They aren't really regarded as anything save a few hits. The music reminded me of a lesser, poppier Steve Roach. Had Friedkin looked for quality he could have rested with the more cerebral dance music of New Order or the nihilism of This Heat.
The movie is very good. Almost great. But after showing my wife we decided on how distracting some of the music is during some of the best scenes. While The French Connection is clearly rooted in the 70s, it transcends that. To Live and Die in L.A. is stuck as an 80s film.
A very good 80s film.
EDIT: David Lynch did the same thing with Lost Highway.
He injected it with the obvious stance of popular 90s music and it doesn't feel or hold like his other films. It feels like a 90s flick. The score could have easily passed, but he also included music popular of just the 90s.
First time I saw this, I tuned in just as the closing credits were coming on, and it was that song ("Wait") that turned me into a Wang Chung fan. When I watched the entire movie I loved the rest of the score as well and quickly bought the soundtrack CD.
For those who say the music "dates" the movie, I've never been able to understand this sensitivity to things being "dated" anyway.
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I really like the music in the movie although it does sound very dated now.
I guess its just those 80's synths and beats.
In saying that I couldn't imagine the car chase without Wang Chung's City of the Angels blasting in the background.
Its very much an 80's picture in every way.
naw bro i gotta disagree. i think the music is perfect. i guess you had to be there, to get it. i mean in 1985
wang chung represents the 80s well, and the movie is dead middle of the 80s
by now the film and the music are so hand in glove i cant separate em
but like i said maybe ya gotta be a child of the 80s to really get the music vibe here.
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