Customer Reviews

Independence Day

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not really a kid, but i don't want to sign up for Amazon to write this review. I have been collecting soundtracks for almost 10 years now. I started with this soundtrack in 1996 and have built to 300+ orchestral soundtracks. Having listened to most all of them, 10 years later ID4 still reigns supreme. David Arnold has been the basis of comparison to every composer i have ever heard, and i have heard ALOT!

This may upset a few people, but i think he is definitely the best in the business. Not necessarily for his ability to write catchy tunes (Williams), or recycle his own music (Horner), but because he can write music with the complexity that boggles the mind. I have listened to my copy of ID4 so many times in the last decade, that i bought a 2nd copy just in case the first one wears out.

The way each theme is captured and rarely heard the same way each time: i.e. the love theme, the alien theme, the good/bad guy theme....all of it is so amazingly tasty each time it's heard. You don't get bored with any theme! My favorite tracks are Evacuation/Firestorm, Base Attack, and The Day We Fight Back. And I can't go on without touching on his "End Credits" titled track. A nine minute masterpiece that is the best medley from any movie i have heard; and again, i have heard my share. These showcase the true genius of his writing. That's the only way to describe it: pure genius. His use of brass and his perfect blend of strings and voices just provides so much power behind whats going on in the movie, that you can literally see the movie on your eyelids as you lean back and listen to the soundtrack. How many soundtracks do that?!?!?

There are so many levels to his music, not to mention the brilliance that comes from every measure. He doesn't flaunt multi-meter like James Newton Howard or the Newmans (randy, thomas, and david)....but keeps the overflowing sound in a driving 4/4 time. This is what kept me seeking his upcoming soundtracks when i was 10 years younger. After i heard ID4, i had to see what else he had done: Stargate and Last of the Dogmen were all that had been out. I immediately purchased both. Since, i have acquired his other titles: The Musketeer, Godzilla, The Stepford Wives, all the bond films, Shaft (2000), even Changing Lanes. I have NEVER been disappointed with his music. He is consistently fresh and free with his styles and layered composition. I challenge anyone to compare David Arnold with any other composer out there.

In closing, I am a musician myself, in college going for a BAE in Music and composition. I give credit to David Arnold as my inspiration to write music. To me, he is the Mozart of film composition and i will watch his career and all of his works with great anticipation until one of two things occurs: he dies or i go deaf. I hope neither happen......

Before I buy soundtracks, I watch the movie to see how well it goes. If I like it I buy it. Well after watching Independence Day I knew for sure I wanted the soundtrack. as it was just amazing.. David Arnold did a wonderful Job with each track..

It's just a shame that half the traxks didn't make it on the official release. as their is another Soundtrack which has 2 Discs and features every single song from the movie. Indepedence Day Bootleg. It's really hard to find on the internet. But if you use the right toolz. You might be in luck..

Track Listing for the Bootleg Score
* 1. Prologue* (2:05)
* 2. S.E.T.I. Radio Signal* (1:54)
* 3. Satellite Destroyed (0:42)
* 4. That's Impossible (0:18)
* 5. Cropduster (0:56)
* 6. The Destroyers Detach (0:35)
* 7. AWAC Gets Fried (1:01)
* 8. The Darkest Day* (4:15)
* 9. Hiller Sees the Saucer (2:11)
* 10. Cancelled Leave* (1:47)
* 11. Launching Welcome Wagon (0:48)
* 12. Welcome Wagon Moves In (0:34)
* 13. Evacuation/Firestorm* (7:12)
* 14. Aftermath* (3:37)
* 15. Base Attack - Canyon Chase* (6:13)
* 16. First Lady Found (1:30)
* 17. Area 51 (1:34)
* 18. Spaceship from Roswell (0:57)
* 19. The Freak Show (1:52)
* 20. El Toro Destroyed* (1:32)
* 21. Alien Autopsy (5:22)
* 22. Nuke Attack - Reunions (6:02)

CD2:

* 1. 1969 - Film Version (1:59)
* 2. The First Lady Dies (2:43)
* 3. David Gets an Idea (0:56)
* 4. Planning the Attack (1:47)
* 5. International Code* (1:34)
* 6. Pre-Flight Check (1:51)
* 7. The President's Speech* (3:13)
* 8. Farewell - Launching the Ship (2:03)
* 9. Lift Off - Mothership* - Rebellion (13:54)
* 10. Jolly Roger* (3:18)
* 11. Independence Day (3:42)
* 12. End Titles* (9:11)

* Previously Released

This was one of the first few film scores I bought after catching the bug and for a few months it didn't stop rotating in my CD player. For many, this was the first time they had ever heard the name David Arnold, but certainly it wasn't the last as he continues to wow audiences and will no doubt lead the next generation of film composers. The music is probably the best he's ever produced for the big screen, though it isn't nearly as inventive or personal as Stargate. What ID4's music has is a magnificent spirit and bravery that traverses the seemingly endless action cues and exceptional themes that are some of the most rousing in film history.

One listen to the End Titles and Arnold will have you hooked; you'll see why this score has become so publicly praised and why it probably played more than a small part in the film's success. Though it doesn't sound flattering, I consider this a compliment to Arnold's work: David Arnold has a propensity to create the most stirring and fitting B-style action scores. Listen to ID4, Musketeer, even his offerings in Wing Commander, and one will understand why; in short, the themes fall to a stereotypical simplicity, but are executed so perfectly that it seems undoubtedly appropriate.

As previously stated, the themes here represented don't quite surpass those offered in Stargate, but they tend to have a more exciting and appealing use. The main theme is decidedly simple, yet to good effect since you can exit the theatre humming; the main action theme, with a glorious trumpet fanfare and underlying low brass is awe-inspiring; the still minor themes are all perfect and developed beyond the traditional silly, summer, sci-fi flick, which no doubt spells the success for this superb score.

The CD is heavily packed with action--as was the movie. And, also due to the movie's style, there is little in the way of emotion in most places, just straightforward and bombast pirate music. But, if you can overlook the lack of variety, then you hold in your hands one of the most successfully implemented scores of all time. This CD deserves the attention of any film score fan, passing or lifelong. There is a rich, powerful, heroism to this score that modern filming too often neglects by choosing a less prevalent use of the orchestra. David Arnold's work on Independence is not one of those films, and thus redefines the soundtrack for the modern sci-fi epic.

you have to admit, the movie "Independence Day" may have been fun and a good time at the movies, but it was so obviously flawed. as far as the editing and rather shaky and contrived screenplay go, this film didn't deserve such a remarkable score. but, to quote the producers, leave it to a brit to create some of the most compelling american music! holy cow, this cd is by far one of the most superior examples of musical storytelling; who cares about the movie when you're listening to the tracks. the music, brilliantly orchestrated and expertly conducted, comes at you like a bazillion nuclear bombs, and takes no prisoners. it gave me chills, personally, and that was because this is the kind of stuff you can just lie on your back and surrendor to, and let it take you for the ride. whether or not mr. arnold meant for this, he got it and well-deserved his grammy for best musical score of the year (unfortunately he wasn't nominated for the best musical score at the oscars). listen to it, and see what i mean.

I bought the CD two years ago. I still enjoy it, as much as my newer CDs. It has a very good patriotic theme, and lots of cool action music.

The Best Track

End Credits

One of David Arnold's first movie scores and a totally overachieving effort. One of the first score's that I ever listened too, ID4 represents a high quality effort that I do not think Arnold has ever reached again. From his themes representing the heroics of Will Smith and Bill Pullman to his more electronic feel for the aliens, ID4 is an all around masterpiece. His excellent and patriotic themes are very powerful. While he is better known for his James bond scores, Arnold's first successful score deals with annihilation, death, destruction and finally worldwide victory. This is among the best scores written in 1990's. Although outmatched by scores such as Lord of the Rings etc, Arnold's ID4 score still great and highly recommended.

After his tremendous success for Stargate, David Arnold returns once again with another absolute jewel of a score to Independence Day. I am convinced that David Arnold is turning into the next John Williams, but we'll have to wait and see on that one. This soundtrack contains some of the best patriotic music I have ever heard written for a film. Complete with triumphant brass fanfares and incredible war drums, along with dancing strings, this makes for one heck of a score. "1969 - We Came In Peace" starts off the soundtrack with an ominous feel, leading into a trumpet solo and a full orchestra performance. Some spectacular action music is found throughout several of the tracks, most notably in "Fire Storm", "Base Attack", and "The Day We Fight Back". The action music is explosive with plenty of brass, snare drums, and strings that sounds incredible and makes you want to hear more. "Aftermath" contains a sorrowful theme that turns into a bright and joyous cue. "The President's Speech" is a very inspirational cue that crescendos into an orchestral delight. The best track of them all is the last one "End Titles" in which Arnold combines all of the themes into one long 9 minute suite that leaves you breathless. When the soundtrack is over, you still want to hear more because it is absolutely marvelous stuff. This should have gotten at least an Oscar nomination, if not an Academy Award. I definitely would of given it one hands down. If you haven't guessed already, get this soundtrack! It's a delight and an orchestral masterpiece.

I saw "Independence Day" with my wife on the day it came out, and left the theatre hungry to find the nearest CD store. We drove 'til I found one, and I bought the CD then and there. The music was fantastic! It made the movie much stronger than a lesser score or composer might have, and it had a noticeable aural impact even over the pyrotechnics and thundering avalanche of sound from the movie. "Independence Day" is a perfect example of just how important a score can be for a film. Thank God for David Arnold!

Fortunately the CD tracks here are in sequence, not randomly (and incomprehensibly) scattered as on some other soundtracks, and so the CD effectively traces the movie's emotional trajectory. The ominous and almost overwhelming buildup heard in "S.E.T.I. - Radio Signal" and "The Darkest Day" (neat stuff to listen to in a thunderstorm, by the way) leads to the frantic activity of "Evacuation" -- and then the orchestra unleashes with "Fire Storm", a short, brutal cue that practically blows your speakers out. The mood then eases with "Aftermath" ... but takes off again in "Base Attack", a thrilling aural rollercoaster ride if ever there was one. The strongly patriotic (and eminently whistleable) "International Code" and "The President's Speech" give us hope for those puny humans, and the explosive "The Day We Fight Back" and "Jolly Roger" resolve the issue triumphantly. All in all, it's one hell of a ride!

That having been said -- this CD could have been so much more! I'm giving it 5 stars since it is so tremendously exciting and listenable, but as noted by other rviewers there's a LOT of music missing. Further, some of the music on the CD differs considerably from that in the film (like "The Day We Fight back", for instance). This is frustrating, to say the least. In my humble opinion, "Independence Day" truly deserves to be re-released as a more complete work, like one of Arnold's other scores, "Tomorrow Never Dies". But in the interim, the present CD remains an exceptional work! Buy it and enjoy!

Damn! This and Stargate are amazing. Truly two of the best scores of the 90's. Unfortuneately, this is one of the best examples of what re-use fees (paying the orchestras here in the U.S. as opposed to overseas) does. It is called a rape, i.e. releasing only about half the soundtrack. As good as the material on this album is, there is also an unforgiveable amount missing, like the theme when Will first flies up into space, several battles, all that Area 51 music, you get the picture. Instead of releasing an expanded edition of Arnold's medicore Tomorrow Never Dies (or in addition to it; why not?!) THIS demands an expanded release, even if it is just a limited edition. I'll pay the extra few bucks for it! It's worth it! Other than that, this album is a must own, because this is some of the best film music you will hear as far as recent times are concerned. Buy this album because you have no other choice, and pray that an expanded release happens. Write the record label!!!!! ENJOY!!!

If you have seen the movie Independence Day, then by this soundtrack. I love this movie & I own it. The music was beautiful & it matched to the scenes of the movie. In other words, the put the music in the right scenes of the movie. Great Job!