Monster Mania: Music From The Classic Godzilla Films (1954-1995) [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists - Soundtracks - Anthologies

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 8, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 8, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00000AG8B
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #367,859 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the real thing, but 'dazzling' reorchestrations., October 29, 2001

By	Chadwick H. Saxelid "Bookworm" (Concord, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

These selections from the Godzilla films are not the original recordings, but peppy reorchestrations conducted by Randy Miller. Not really my of tea, but those interested in unique variations on Ifukube's compositions might something to like.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A surprisingly good rendition of great Godzilla scores, March 24, 2000

By	Mark Rainey (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've always been a nut for Akira Ifukube's musical scores, and even some of Masaro Sato's. This album was a surprise to me--new orchestrations of some of the most memorable music from the Toho Godzilla films. The renditions are mostly very true to the originals, with just enough variation to make for something a little new and different. It's nice to hear the decent quality stereophonic recordings since the original Toho soundtracks were recorded in mono. One common misnomer in the credits: the march from MONSTER ZERO is called the DESTROY ALL MONSTERS march. Disappointingly, there are no photographs or other interesting graphics on the package; I assume the producers didn't want to pay the exorbitant licensing fees Toho charges to use Godzilla's image.

5.0 out of 5 stars A stirring Godzilla musical anthology, April 8, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Monster Mania: Music from the Classic Godzilla Films (1954-1995)" is an outstanding tribute to one of cinema's most enduring icons. The CD is basically an anthology of excerpts from the scores of the Godzilla movies, ranging from the 1954 debut of the character to 1995's "Godzilla vs. Destroyer." All the cues are new recordings, all conducted by Randy Miller.

Godzilla has been many things in his cinematic incarnations: a savage destroyer of cities, a courageous defender of the earth, even a playful "father figure" to a baby monster. The music on this CD captures the many moods of the giant reptile (and of the humans who accompany him onscreen). Some of my favorite selections include the memorable main theme to the first film, the thrilling march from "Destroy All Monsters," and the quirky, fun cues from "Son of Godzilla." Listen to the CD and relive five decades of epic monster battles.