I have no defined idea of when the Tangerine Dream reappraisal began. When GTA V was released in 2013, Tangerine Dream were an integral part of the atmospheric music, along Woody Jackson, Oh No, and The Alchemist. The dynamic score was integral to the game’s success, and you can still find youtube channels with extended versions recorded in-game for those of us who love to lose ourselves for hours on majestic cinematic scores.

I suspect the newfound cult status of Michael Mann’s Thief was a consequence of GTA V’s success. After all, GTA V always took inspiration from Mann’s movies. Vice City, GTA IV, and GTA V have bank jobs, and the presence of hockey masks is no coincidence. Thief is a great film and originally was going to be today’s post, but I thought about another Tangerine Dream movie that needs some reappraisal.

Firestarter stars Drew Barrymore, David Keith, George C. Scott, and Martin Sheen, and it’s an adaptation of a novel by Stephen King. Directed by Mark L. Lester, it almost feels like a test run for Commando. I mean it! Kidnapping of a loved one, slightly diabolical acting from the two villains (George C. Scott and Martin Sheen), and a pyromaniac’s daydream with the fiery ending of The Shop, the secret agency that caused all the trouble.

Stephen King was notoriously vocal about hating the adaptation, and Roger Ebert was miffed by it. As an 80s film, it’s what it says on the tin, expect no more. Book purists will side with King, though. Since I grew up with films like this, I’m more partial to the adaptation. Feels breezier without the usual King tangents that extend his books to door-stopping length. I still read him, but, you know.

Tangerine Dream’s soundtrack is heartfelt. It does go into heavy 80s territory from time to time, especially on the wonderful Crystal Voice. I’m recommending Charly the Kid. It has that smouldering crescendo Tangerine Dreams so well, where a sense of wonder and dread are interlocked. You could almost place vocals on it, but it doesn’t need them. A beautiful track for a character with a terrifying, world-ending power.

-Sam J. Valdés López