My Favorite Themes - Part XV

Score: Memoirs of an Invisible Man by Shirley Walker (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm)

About the film: A stock analyst (Chevy Chase) is rendered invisible by a botched experiment. On the run from an overzealous government agent (Sam Neill), he tries to find someone who can return him to normal. Perhaps John Carpenter's most mainstream film (with such legends behind the scenes as William Goldman and William A. Fraker), this is a moderately entertaining thriller with not-bad (for 1992) effects and good work by Chase and Neill.

Title: "Main Theme". The theme, a pair of three-note motifs, is primarily played on horns, whether heroically with the full section or on a lonely trumpet, like in the main titles (the first half of "Jenkins Closes In"). Interestingly, the theme serves as the lead-in to the film's love theme, a wonderfully heartfelt melody ("Theme Medley", "Love in the Rain").

Other themes of interest: There's a terrific descending melody for horns representing the threat of Neill's agent, best heard in "In a State of Molecular Flux". A five-note motif throughout and a fast-paced sub-theme ("Nick Escapes the Apartment Siege") symbolize the chase element of the film.

Availability: The Varese Sarabande release is long out-of-print, but can be found for a reasonable price at BuySoundtrax.