Contrary to expectations, the word on this Hollywood-ised remake of Wim Wenders' 1988 magical 'Wings Of Desire' is mostly positive. The story of the angels who hang around West Berlin and tap into the thoughts and lives of its citizens has been transposed to Los Angeles, surely the least deserving city to be named the "City Of Angels". Nicolas Cage reprises Bruno Ganz's role as the earthbound angel and Meg Ryan his paradoxical human love interest who is a heart surgeon as opposed to Solveig Donmartin's trapeze artist in the original.

The music in 'Wings Of Desire' was soft, strings-based and delicate, capturing the cold, monochromatic feel of Berlin. The appearance of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in concert in the middle of that movie was jarring but effective with Cave looking like something that hovers between humans and angels. For 'City Of Angels', the usual eclectic mix of old and new rock is added to Gabriel Yared's soft, classical score which works perfectly with the misty, sepia-tinted scenes.

U2's totally appropriate 'If God Will Send His Angels', off their Pop album, is given a remix and headlines contributions from Jimi Hendrix ('Red House'), Sarah McLachlan ('Angel'), Eric Clapton ('Further On Up The Road'), Paula Cole ('Feelin' Love) and 'Uninvited', the first new offering from Alanis Morissette since her mega-debut 'Jagged Little Pill'. Throw in some songs by Peter Gabriel, Goo Goo Dolls, Jude and John Lee Hooker (Mama, You Got A Daughter') and this is a worthwhile souvenir of a film that will probably stay with you long after you see it.

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

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