Pacific Heights contrasts some of Hans Zimmer's most kinetic and visceral thriller themes against moody, atmospheric jazz cues that further underscore the menace lurking around every melodic turn. Zimmer's signature synthetic percussion is exploited to unusually positive effect here, paired with a far-ranging palette of sounds and samples that both enhance or shatter the mood, dependent on what the situation requires. But what sets the score further apart is the composer's acute grasp of mood and texture--Zimmer is rarely a model of subtlety, but Pacific Heights embraces tension over theatrics, and the end result proves one of his finest efforts.