Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]

Elliot Goldenthal (Artist), L'Arc-En-Ciel (Artist), Lara Fabian (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 3, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005LNC2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,455 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This film adaptation of the popular video game series attempts a technological breakthrough: computer-generated, photo-realistic renditions of human characters. But while critics and audiences gave mixed marks to game creator and film producer-director Hironobu Sakaguchi's ambitious technical efforts, it was ironically the film's most obviously human elements--its veteran actors' voice performances and, crucially, the masterful score by Elliot Goldenthal--that really brought it to life. Goldenthal's work is a sweeping orchestral masterpiece that covers vast musical territory, from the action-adventure of Korngold to the fantasy strains of Herrmann, florid Russian romanticism to touches of late-20th-century modernism. With the London Symphony in full voice and then some, Goldenthal's music is treated to a performance of rare dynamic range and dramatic power; the edgy, modern brass flourishes and thunderous percussion of "Toccata and Dreamscapes" alone may have listeners groping for their seatbelts. The album also features a pair of obligatory pop tracks, Lara Fabian's "The Dream Within" (which makes good use of Goldenthal's romantic themes) and L'Arc-en-Ciel's "Spirit Dreams Inside" (which doesn't). --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Asian Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'screaming' by Candy Lo. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would've been a four except for the last two songs, July 9, 2001

By	Skye Knighton "skyknyt" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First off: This is an excellent soundtrack. Secondly: Its not Uematsu, or even remotely Final Fantasy sounding.

Granted, this isn't our first taste of non Uematsu FF music. The music of Final Fantasy tactics was our true first, and it was incredible. This leads me to believe that square thought long and hard before choosing Goldenthal, as they wanted to maintain the quality of their other composers. Most of the tracks vary from good to excellent, and although I haven't seen the movie, i can see where they would fit in.

But the last two tracks are just incredible. I can't stress that enough, these last two tracks alone are worth buying the CD. Heck, I'd love to see a FF:TSW video game with the 17th track as its theme. If the movie maintains the quality of this soundtrack, I'd have to say its earned the FF name.

So, I give the instrumental tracks a 4. They are sci-fish without being cliche, which is nice. However, I give the last 2 tracks a 5, stressing the excellent vocals and well written music.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not Uematsu, but who said it had to be??, July 14, 2001

By	Josh (Wyoming) - See all my reviews

Elliot Goldenthal is one of the most talented composers in Hollywood and he was the perfect choice to score this movie! Powerful, haunting melodies dominate the score, and the soft, romantic cues mix in very well. Goldenthal has a talent for out--of-this-world orchestration techniques, and he shows it off in this score! My favorite cues are The Spirit Within, Code Red, Winged Serpeant, Zeus Cannon, Flight to the Wasteland, Dead Rain, Blue Light! But, they're all good! Even the vocals are good! People say it doesn't sound like a Nobuo Uematsu Final Fantasy score. Well, duh!! It's not supposed to! Sure, Uematsu's music to the games was great (I own most of the soundtracks), but Goldenthal approached the movie with a score that fits! Uematsu just couldn't have done it the way Goldenthal did, no matter what anyone says! Elliot Goldenthal was the perfect choice to score this movie, and he gave us a brilliant masterpiece filled with darkness, terror, mystery, and spirit!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent movie soundtrack, July 17, 2001

By	"catz_clawz" (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews

I liked Final fantasy but I LOVE this soundtrack. Firstly its an instrumental soundtrack (I hate those song inspired soundtracks) and the orcestrated portion is masterfully done.

The creme on the cake however are the last 2 tracks (as everyone has said). "The Dream Within" is absolutly beautiful. Lara Fabien has an AMAZING voice. "Spirit dreams inside" is also quite good (i'd never hear of the band that does this one till now) but not as good as "The Dream Within".

Heck, just buy it for "The Dream Within".

This CD has been spinning in my CD player non stop since I got it and it'll be spinning in my CD player for many years to come.