For the
last bonus disc(s) in their Perfect Collection, Toho
Music included a re-release of the 2007 two disc set
for GODZILLA by La-La Land Records (LLLCD-1058).
Track title, order and contents are all exactly the
same. The only difference between the two is the package
design, where Toho Music incorporated a look similar
to the other Godzilla movie soundtracks in the box.
The booklet and discs themselves also look different
as well, so at least Toho Music went to that length.
Reissue or not, one still can't ignore that this is
a great soundtrack by David Arnold who really gives
this score his all.
Now, one of the strengths of this soundtrack is the
range, as it captures both the humorous and more action
oriented scenes well but does so in a way that the
music as a whole meshes together. There are a lot
of standout themes on this release, and its starts
off with a bang with "The Beginning", producing
a theme very foreboding. "1st Helicopter Chase
/ Godzilla Swats a Chopper" is another great
cue from this score, giving a very energetic tempo
that makes it a wonderful theme to listen to as a
stand alone experience. A personal favorite, though,
has to be the " Godzilla O Park / Godzilla Takes
a Dive / Godzilla Versus the Submarine / Egg Discovery".
As the numerous names would imply, the track is very
long, but the sequence related to "Godzilla Takes
a Dive" is simply amazing, and one of the best
pieces of Arnold's career.
As previously mentioned, this is a re-release. Sadly,
this means that many of these cues have once again
been joined together as suites. Some may like this
approach, but personally I prefer smaller tracks as
they tend to play better on other media devices. For
example, I love the "Godzilla Takes a Dive /
Godzilla Versus the Submarine" parts of the previously
mentioned track. However, I find the "Egg Discovery"
portion to be only so-so, and wouldn't have it on
my iPod if not for the fact that they edited it together
with the previous themes. Given that fact, it would
have been nice had Toho Music taken this opportunity
to separate these themes. It would have given us the
same music, but at least it would have been something
to differentiate this release from the other, and
people who prefer it one way or the other could choose.
Regardless, this is overall a great soundtrack. Consumers
outside of Japan who picked up the original release
might be disappointed to see it again here, but for
collectors inside Japan this grants them a chance
to pick this up if they don't like to import. Either
way, Arnold's work on this film shouldn't be missed,
and either this or the 2007 release should be sought
out by fans of the character as the music is unfairly
overlooked by many.
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