Escape from L.A. (film score)

The Escape from L.A. film score was composed by Shirley Walker for the 1996 dystopian action film Escape from L.A., directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell. It is a departure from Carpenter's typically minimalist and synthesized scores, opting instead for a more orchestral and modern sound, incorporating elements of rock, techno, and world music.

While drawing upon some of the thematic material established in Carpenter's score for the original Escape from New York (1981), Walker's score for Escape from L.A. features a significantly larger and more diverse musical palette. The score is characterized by its use of synthesizers alongside traditional orchestral instruments, creating a hybrid sound appropriate for the film's futuristic and chaotic setting. It emphasizes action cues and incorporates diverse cultural musical elements, reflecting the fragmented and multicultural nature of post-earthquake Los Angeles as depicted in the film.

Although no official soundtrack album was released at the time of the film's premiere, selections from the score have circulated among fans and collectors. In 2024, a comprehensive release of the complete score was issued by La-La Land Records, offering a more readily accessible version of Walker's work. Walker's score has been noted for its energy and innovation, marking a significant contribution to the film and standing as a notable example of her work in the action and science fiction genres.