XXX
The slick Vin Diesel action vehicleXXXwas custom tailored to appeal to a new generation of action/spy film fans, complete with adouble-disc soundtrack of hard-edged modern rock and electro-club music. But though that collection was a shrewd marketing move, the film'srealmusical lifeblood--and unheralded link to 40 years of tradition--was this dynamic orchestral effort from veteran composer Randy Edelman. Alternately coloring locales from Washington to Eastern Europe and conjuring an aura of tension, unease, and international intrigue, the composer avoids the overwrought pitfalls of many an action score. Edelman has also given Diesel's extreme sports star cum reluctant spy a simple but effective eight-note motif that's the modern equivalent of the familiar Bond theme; given the film's success and Diesel's rising fortunes, we'll probably be hearing a lot more of it.--Jerry McCulley