Customer Reviews

Supergirl (1984 Film)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a massive Jerry Goldsmith fan (love Alien, love Star Trek:TMP, love the Omen trilogy especially TFC, love Legend, Chinatown and Planet of the Apes are good, etc.), I've never been moved to buy the whole Supergirl score. I have bought two individual tracks, though:

"Main Title & Argo City" -- Everything you've heard is true. Goldsmith's theme for Supergirl is in the same league as Williams' Superman theme, and it gets the full treatment in the opening credits. Three increasingly exultant brass fanfare statements, the third (which comes after a love theme interlude) buttressed by a secondary line in the French horns and a skip beat on the timpani that has to be heard to be believed. Love love love the synth "swoosh" that Goldsmith throws in there, too -- so typical of him to do something off-the-wall yet completely appropriate like that.

"Arrival on Earth / Flying ballet" -- Seriously, the single best track of the whole score, easily. Starts off with a somewhat chaotic passage very reminiscent of Williams' more restrained but no less tumultuous "Trip to Earth" cue for Superman; there are sketchy and nervous versions of the hero theme and the love theme in here, and this part of the track ends with a huge, elephantine chorus from the horns as Supergirl emerges triumphantly from the pond in which her travel pod lands. Next, we get some very Legend-like, synth-backed music as Supergirl somersaults and pirouettes gently about, trying out her new powers of hovering and flight. The love theme dominates. Finally -- in a huge "wait for it" crescendo -- Supergirl flies away from the pond and really gets going, and we are treated to one of the most majestic, heartbreakingly beautiful moments of Goldsmith's entire musical career. As Supergirl flies far and long over the Earth, the hero theme gets an insanely gorgeous treatment from the string section, with an ingenious pizzicato skip beat from the double basses (same as the one played by the timpani in the third statement of the hero theme in the Main Title) and ostinato tambourine accompaniment. The opulence here is tremendous, and the almost dance-like feeling of freedom and joy is overwhelming. The composer hits us with this twice, adding a horn line the second time (which is pretty much like cheating where evocation is concerned), then BAM, cymbal crash, she flies over a waterfall and the brass and timpani let loose with the hero theme in fortissimo, and the synth swoosh is back. It's really too much, I'm pretty sure I cried the first few times. After that, the track ramps down with a nice statement of the love theme on horns and strings, and finally decrescendos down into silence as Supergirl lands and surveys a lakeside sunset vista. This track never gets old; as astounding as Williams' Superman score is (in fact, apart from The Empire Strikes back and maybe Star Trek:TMP, I can't think of any score that might top it), the flying sequence of this Goldsmith track is better than any flying music that Williams wrote, that's a fact. Its powers of retention are remarkable even if one hasn't seen the movie. This is the kind of film scoring that makes people want to become movie soundtrack composers, it is that good. If you haven't heard it, I envy you, you are in for a major treat.

Generally known as a forgettable score to a forgettable film, this new release of Supergirl should prove to be quite a surprise. This score is loaded with subtle qualities rather than overwhelming themes like some other composers' scores. It is unassuming, yet powerful, just like the title character. In its newly restored and expanded format it is truly a treat for fans like myself who experienced this charming movie in theaters in 1984. I recommend it to fans of the film and fans of Jerry Goldsmith alike.

"Supergirl" was perhaps one of the worst movies ever made in film history. It barely sank the careers of Helen Slater -where is she anyway? -and Faye Dunaway. The visual effects were spectacular, although they were at the service of a completely nonsense film. But watch out, here comes Super Jerry Goldsmith to the rescue, with one of his finest works ever in this expanded edition CD. The theme for Supergirl is epic, and the french horns play the love theme beautifully in some of the passages of this composition. The only questionable thing about this score is the excessive use of synthesizers, which almost cast a shadow over the orchestra.

One thing is certain: Jerry Goldsmith is still a true master of film scoring who can create music that can be far better than the movie for which it was written.

I MUST ADMIT, THIS SOUNDTRACK 2 THE MOVIE IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE ITSELF. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE'NT BOUGHT IT YET, I KNOW I BETTER GET THIS B 4 IT'S GONE 4 EVER. ALL THE TRACKS ARE GREAT. I PREVIOUSLY BOUGHT THE MOVIE, BUT DID'NT LIKE IT. BUT I'M PLANNING ON BUYING THE LIMITED EDITION RELEASE VERSION. I HEARD THE INTERNATIONAL VERSION'S BETTER THAN THE THEATRICAL VERSION. AT LEAST I'LL HAVE BOTH MOVIE AND SOUNDTRACK.

The reviews refer to this as an "expanded score" -- That's the other version from Silva Screen that has 23 tracks. This is the original release of the score which was issued when the movie was released. This album has fewer tracks in a different order than the later release.

But, overall this is a beautiful soundtrack that is at the top of my list of favorite movie scores.

I wish this version were available in an affordable edition as I only have it on cassette tape, and not on CD.

Im a big Superman fan and this movie may not be quite as good but Helen Slater played the role well and she looked the part too.
Lots of action, average Special Effects and great sound track from Gerry Goldsmith but not as good as John Williams classic Superman theme.
The Supergirl theme and tracks through out the CD are enjoyable and carry on the traditional big orchestral sound found in big budget sci-fi movies.
I definitely recommend this movie and CD for the whole family, watch Supermans female cousin kick some butt!

Jerry Goldsmith did an excellent job composing the Soundtrack to the much underated 1984 film, SUPERGIRL. In this "fully-packed" 23-track CD, there is a compilation of music from the previously released version of the original CD (which was available back in the 80s when the movie was being shown in the theatres), as well as some previously unreleased/alternate versions of certain tracks. The Supergirl Overture or Main theme is a memorable piece, like Williams' Superman theme. Equally memorable is the Flying Ballet music, which comes with an alternative version on the CD. I believe that Goldsmith's composition for Supergirl would have been a classic like the Superman theme, IF... the movie had been sucessful way back then. Anyway, this CD is highly recommended if you are a fan of Goldsmith's music, which comprised of a host of other Film Soundtracks that include, Star Trek, The Omen, Poltergeist, etc.

I'll admit, I loved the movie when I was a kid, cause Supergirl's outfit was great, but the movie was rather lacking. However, the music is the most moving I've come to experience, and I feel it deserves the same amount of respect as Superman received. Goldsmith created a masterpiece by mixing heroic action, true evil, and simple innocence into a story told better than the movie. My favorite piece is The Monster Tractor, becuase it really did move me the first time I heard it. For anyone who's in the mood for an adventerous tune, this is the soundtrack to get.

SUPERGIRL the film was truely a bomb, it suffered critically and financially. It is easy for one to see, the film is louted with plot holes and dismal acting, and fails to convince. However, JERRY GOLDSMITH'S triumphant score is magnificent. Few composers have the talent he does, the music he creates is so motivational, so awe inspiring, one is brought to their feet just by listening to it. The music on this album is superb. From the glorious main theme to the sensual love theme, Goldsmith touches on all emotions, and the score is full of enormous energy. I have always been a fan of Goldsmith, and I highly reccommend some of his other work, STAR TREK MOTION PICTURE SCORE, music from the motion picture RUDY, His haunting yet mystical themes for POLTERGEIST, and a wonderful main theme for THE MAN FROM UNCLE. NOT TO BE MISSED. HIGHLY RECOMMENDDED!

Granted the movie could have been done better, but what made it so wonderful is GOldsmith's beautiful music! Supergirl's Main Theme goes so well that Goldsmith gives you a true sense of daringness and determination which the character bestows to the audience! But Goldsmith blends the innocence of Supergirl very well as she begins to learn of Earth's customs! Somedays, for me at least, the music brings a tear to your eye! Beautiful music!