Customer Reviews

Back To The Future Trilogy (Film Score Re-recording)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you want original quality, get the original scores. I would also have liked to get a boxed set of the original soundtracks. This CD is only for those who want to listen to alternate versions of certain music. Tracks 16 to 19 are all genuine from the Part III original score. I have always loved to hear the Part II theme, but the version on the Trilogy CD does not compare at all. The tempo is slower, and the instruments and tone are totally different...nothing like the original. The "Burn The Book" track is also altered. They took the drums out of the beginning, which changed the music completely. The Part I theme is also different. This version uses fewer instruments than the original. Even though you get certain Part I tracks that weren't on the original score, like the famous "Skateboard Chase," you can bet that Debney and RSNO changed the music in some way. I think fans shoud get this only if they want to hear music not found anywhere else (like the "Skateboard Chase").

This recording sounds terrible, first of all. There is nothing wrong with the actual sound quality; the fidelity of the recording is fine. However, Varese's "concert hall" acoustic style of recording is getting on my nerves. This recording has none of the vibrancy or immediacy of a real film score recording. I dare you to listen to the original MCA soundtrack and tell me this recording compares. The snare drums are consistently muted throughout and in certain sections are dropped from the music! This happens in Clocktower pt. 1 and in Lone Pine Mall '85. The piano parts are all way too soft. Debney's interpretation and the RSNO performance is totally inferior. They did not do the original score justice. Their take on Clocktower pt. 1 is atrocious. The tempos are all too slow. However, in spite of all these problems, it's better than nothing. Clocktower pt. 2 actually sounds pretty decent. I am glad to finally have that on CD. There are a few other worthy cues too, such as "Doc Returns" and the music from BTTF 2.

First off I should point out the fact that not only am I a HUGE film score buff but I am also a trained and professional classical musician. I have attended both The Juilliard School and the Indiana University School of Music and have worked as a professional musician for the past nine years. I wanted to share this information so people would know that I am not just "talking ignorantly" but, in point of fact, I actually know EXACTLY what I am talking about.

Having said that, let me now say that I am an avid fan of the scores from all three "Back to the Future" films and quite an admirer of Alan Silvestri's body of work. I also have nothing but great respect for John Debney and his intentions behind this project. But, with that respect being paid, I must now say that this CD is one to avoid if you are a true conesseiur of the score from "Back to the Future" or if you are seeking a TRUE representation of the film's actual score.

Why do I say this? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, most of the recordings on this CD of tracks from "BTTF Part 1" are WAY too slow. Also, a lot of the tracks have been altered from their original representaion and recording. For example, in "The Skateboard Chase" the beginning of the track and end of the track have been altered. Certain notes by the brass have been left out of the intro. including a muted trumpet playing the famous first three notes of Marty's theme (the main "BTTF" theme motif). Also, the end has been altered as well to not include the cacaphonous diminished chord played in the film as Biff's car hits the manure truck.

Other flaws? Well, certain notes are not played in the right spots in the recording of "The Clocktower Part II". The track of "Lone Pine Mall 1985" has been altered to not include the famous snare drum/tom-tom triplet motif played in the film as Marty watches himself take-off in the DeLorean...also, the famous "BTTF" Petrushka chords that are played as Doc opens his eyes after being shot (the chords that are played by a Celesta to open both sequels; consisting of a G Major and C# Major chord) are totally BUTCHERED! They are supposed to be FULL BLOWN confidently played chords and on the recording it sounds as if they are played as an after-thought. It's painful to hear them muddle through such a staple of the music.

There are other major flaws in the re-recording of the music from "BTTF Part 1", but I think I will save you the pain of going into detail.

If you want a TRUE representation of the film's score try tracking down a copy of the CD from "Movie Music Records", a company based in Poland. They sell copies of the "BTTF Part 1" score on Ebay from time to time. This is an actual copy of the score used in the film, not a re-recording. It's pricey but if you're a fan you'll be glad you paid the money. Trust me.

I've always loved the instrumental music to Back to the Future, especially the music from the first Back to the Future movie. It was unfortunate that the original CD for BttF pt. I had only 2 instrumental tracks, but this Back to the Future Trilogy CD undoubtedly made up for it. Now, it's complete with the full theme, the thrilling skateboard chase, the climactic clock tower music, the highlights from Back to the Future II (although I would have liked to hear the tunnel chase), and an appropriate "medley" used in the Ride. I got this for Christmas and haven't been able to turn it off ...

Everthing has its share of problems, and luckily this has fewer problems than some. What I can pick out are : There should have been more of BttF II and III, BttF III COULD have been re-recorded, and, as it's already been pointed out, the microphone DOES seem to be a little distant.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend this soundtrack to any fan of Back to the Future or just people who like instrumental music.

I have been a huge fan of the trilogy since it came out in 1985 and now with the release of the DVD set of all 3 movies, hopefuly fans will realize how great and powerful the music of all 3 movies were. The movie was great but Alan Silvestri's masterful score really brings the movies home.

The Trilogy set itself is a total instrumental work redone by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and includes most of the songs that weren't on the BTTF 1 and BTTF 2 soundtracks (That I recomend people to buy as well including this one). The first BTTF album was more of a real song album and only 2 of the songs that Alan did for the movie were on it. This CD though gives us all the songs we always wanted including the Skateboard chase (similar to the Hoverboard chase on Pt 2 album) and the complete Clocktower climax at the end of the movie, which alone makes it a great buy to get this album. Also it has the Old West preview music that you hear at the end of Part 2 where they show you the coming attractions to the next movie. That wasn't on the part 2 album.

Unfortunatly though this album isn't PERFECT. It does have a few flaws. The orchestra doing this album isn't as polished and powerful sounding as the Outatime Orchestra that does the music for the original 3 albums. Notes seem to be distant at times and when you play the similar theme on the other album or as you heard it in the movie there is a very noticible difference. Also none of the songs from Part 3 were redone . They just took the songs off the existing Part 3 album which is alright as they picked some good ones. (Point of No Return and End Credits are some of the best from the Pt 3 soundtrack in my opinion). Another down side is that they leave off some really great songs from part 2 like the tunnel chase and Hoverboard chase. Both really powerful songs that may have been done well recreated. But again I would just recomend people buy the second movie soundtrack to hear the great works . This soundtrack is great for those who want all the songs from Part 1 as well and the BTTF:The Ride song is intersting as well.

So overall its a great album and really completes the entire score now for fans to get all songs BTTF related that were left out on the previous. You won't be disapointed and for the price its well worth it. But do get the other 3 if you have the money or at least the second if you want to hear some of Silvestri's best BTTF work.

The music to Bact To The Future is one of the best and recognized scores in the etire music industry. Some score fans will be upset of the lacking originality of the real scores. This CD is not for everyone. I'm glad that this CD included more of the first movie. Although some of the snare drums used in the second recording sound like a guy banging on a detached car door. But the third movie score is excellent.

Not for everyone But worth a try

When I first heard this CD was coming out, I was excited. I was hoping for a full score to the original at least, but I would have loved to have seen a boxed set of all three. Here are the flaws I see here.
1. Re-recording. Enough said, I would much rather here what was originally in the movie rather than a re-recording.
2. A bad re-recording. It just sounds horrible. I can hear mad echo from this concert hall they recorded in.
3. I wonder if its really the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. I have the "Shadows of the Empire" CD, and they sound great on it. Why is it in some places on this it sounds like a high school band? I hear brass just blasting away in places, very bad tone quality. And the snare in Clocktower Part I: MY GOD. He is so out of time in places its not even funny. Its rather disgusting. Im thinking he was either drunk or just really having a bad day. And the tempos in general are just...sooo....slow... Seems like some of this should have been caught and they re-recorded the tracks. But, then again, since when does Varese care that much about anything?
All in all, if you want music from these films, buy the score to Part II and III, and look for the bootleg of Part I on ebay or somewhere. It might cost you a bit more, but it is the original soundtrack, so its the good stuff. I love Back to the Future, but this is definitely NOT an essential to a BTTF collection.

I was so excited to get this release, having loved these movies and the music which accompanied them. Well, the sound is so terrible, the orchestra sounds like they're a mile away, there are clunkers galore and the music is just not served at all. Some of the Varese rerecordings have been fine, some have been terrible and unfortunately this falls into the latter category and is possibly the worst of the bunch, right up there with Patton.

These movies have been among my favorites for as long as I can remember, and so has the music. I was so dissapointed to discover that no score exists for the first film. The CD includes music from the two best scenes in that movie: the Skateboard Chase and the Clock Tower finale. Just the Clock Tower music was enough to get me to buy this CD. I really didn't notice this poor sound quality that everyone is talking about so ignore that stuff. If you like BTTF, buy this CD!

Being the Back to the Future fanatic that I am, I must say it is hard for me not to like anything and everything associated with BTTF. However, this is proved false once I heard this soundtrack recording. The Royal Scottish National Orchesta has a lot to learn and in my opinion has butchered Alan Silvestri's best score to date.

The only good thing to come about from this which is why I gave it any stars at all is the fact that the music from the first BTTF other than the main title and overture is presented here for the first time. I always wanted to hear the skateboard chase and the music leading up to Marty's final departure from 1955 at the end of the film. Plus it is nice to hear the music from the end of the film when Doc comes back and tells Marty about his kids.

Only the most hardcore fans (like me) will enjoy the score to BTTF the ride from Universal Studios. Since I've been to Universal quite a bit, I know the ride well and can enjoy this piece without hating the Scottish orchestra that much.

You will want this if you are a hardcore BTTF fan, but not a passive soundtrack fan. Alan Silvestri if you are reading this, please get the original orchestral score from BTTF part 1 released!! And don't employ the Scottish orchestra either!