Released
under their "Keystone Records" label, this
CD contains the motion picture score to the 2010 live
action adaptation of Space Battleship Yamato.
The soundtrack captures both the action and tragedy of
the film well, and is overall one of the more enjoyable
scores I have heard in awhile.
Simply put, Naoki Sato is a fantastic composer. He turned heads amongst science
fiction fans for his version of the Godzilla theme that was created for Always:
Sunset on Third Street 2 (2007), and has proven himself to be one of
the best composers still working in Japan today. Although being able to capture
a range of emotions is his hallmark, Sato on this score is tasked with creating
something that is largely action based with hints of tragedy and sometimes
hope in its themes. This turns out to be a great fit for the composer,
who fashions a soundtrack that works wonderfully as a standalone experience.
When it comes to conveying a sense of grandeur, mild tension and action, Sato
does some of his finest work here. Leading the way in this respect is the incredible
theme "Fire the Wave Motion Gun", which starts off more tense and quick paced
before leading into a very triumphant swell before once again
reverting to a tightly paced action cue. It's over four minutes long and does
a great job of weaving between the two styles to create one of the better themes
here. The "Opening Title" is another rousing, march-like track off this disc,
using drums to convey a sense of mass to the giant titular ship. "Enemy Fleet
Destroyed" is yet another action motif that works well, starting a little ominously
before creating a more tension filled theme. "Crisis", "Faith", "The
Cosmo Zero Launches", oh heck, every action theme off this disc is amazing,
and there are lots of them too. On another soundtrack, any one of these probably
would have ranked as the best theme off the disc, but here they mesh together
to create a solid score.
Staying true to his range, there are a couple of standouts here which aren't
action themes as well. For example, the chorus supported "Beautiful Blue Planet"
does a good job of conveying the majesty of the planet Iscandar. On the more
subtle side, which is rare for this more brash style of composing used here,
the CD also has the very nice "Orders" theme to break up some of the action pieces.
"The Truth About the Radioactivity Removal Device" is another great, although
long, cue that is very sorrowful in its tone as its lead by a long female vocal
part to it. This overall motif is also reused in "The Final Salute", giving a
very fitting parting theme to what is a largely action oriented score.
Overall, this is an amazing soundtrack. It relies largely on the march qualities
and tension created from its action themes, but is solid through out without
any truly weak cues. Highly recommended, and places Sato firmly on the
list of the composers worth watching out for.
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