The disc I was able to get has three selections. The first is a selection of special effects from various Toho sci-fi films previous to 1984 with new sound effects and a thin synthesizer score based on classic Ikufube compositions. The second is a fully orchestrated "fantasia" of Ikufube scores arranged into three movements by Ikufube himself. The third is a compilation of scenes from the second Godzilla series from 1985 to 1998 set to selections from various music recording from those movies.
The first edit is the weakest especially since the synthesizer sounds really pathetic compared to even the earliest Godzilla scores with their terrible recordings. The clips are decent but the sound effects are new.
The second edit is the official "fantasia" commissioned in 1984 for a full classical orchestra and conducted by Ikufube. This sounds incredible and represents some of the best recording of Ikufube's music. The visuals are selections from many films Ikufube scored including "Nippon Tanjo" a fantasy film starring Toshiro Mifune. Mostly we get to see the special effect work of Eji Tsuburaya which is just fine by me. Many clips are from the rarely seen "War in Space", a semi-sequel to the "Mysterians". Curiously there are a number of clips from the clunker "King Kong Escapes". I wonder why. The soundtrack is great and you could have a great time without watching the TV.
The third edit is comprised of selections from the various soundtracks for the second series along with clips from those films. The majority of the music is by Ikufube although a few selections from other composers are included. The clips are edited together in a hodgepodge so the music does not always sync up with the film it came from. It actually shows how effective Ikufube's scores were when a scene from the terrible "Godzilla vs Space Godzilla" gets a Ikufube selection replacing the original score by someone else. The scene immediately becomes better then it was in the actual movie.
All in all a very mixed bag for devoted Godzilla fans. The official "Godzilla Fantasia" gets a 10 in my book.
The first edit is the weakest especially since the synthesizer sounds really pathetic compared to even the earliest Godzilla scores with their terrible recordings. The clips are decent but the sound effects are new.
The second edit is the official "fantasia" commissioned in 1984 for a full classical orchestra and conducted by Ikufube. This sounds incredible and represents some of the best recording of Ikufube's music. The visuals are selections from many films Ikufube scored including "Nippon Tanjo" a fantasy film starring Toshiro Mifune. Mostly we get to see the special effect work of Eji Tsuburaya which is just fine by me. Many clips are from the rarely seen "War in Space", a semi-sequel to the "Mysterians". Curiously there are a number of clips from the clunker "King Kong Escapes". I wonder why. The soundtrack is great and you could have a great time without watching the TV.
The third edit is comprised of selections from the various soundtracks for the second series along with clips from those films. The majority of the music is by Ikufube although a few selections from other composers are included. The clips are edited together in a hodgepodge so the music does not always sync up with the film it came from. It actually shows how effective Ikufube's scores were when a scene from the terrible "Godzilla vs Space Godzilla" gets a Ikufube selection replacing the original score by someone else. The scene immediately becomes better then it was in the actual movie.
All in all a very mixed bag for devoted Godzilla fans. The official "Godzilla Fantasia" gets a 10 in my book.