Godzilla X Mothra X Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Year Movie Released in Japan: Dec. 13, 2003 Year Movie Released in U.S.: 2004 on DVD Poor Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., this entry in the box set works as an "odds and ends". It includes a second CD, but this is based on more music from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), while the booklet is half dedicated to director Shusuke Kaneko. Despite this, the selection of material found here is still good for the 2003 film itself, although very similar to the earlier King Records CD (KICA-620). The music composed for the 2003 movie, like Michiru Oshimas other work in the franchise, is stellar. It does suffer a bit from not being as memorable as her other two Godzilla soundtracks, but that still doesnt detract from the themes composed here. The "Main Title" in particular is a strong track, weaving in an intro sequence with the portion where Mothra is sighted. "Returning to the Sea" is also another good theme, ranging more on the soothing side and making a nice end piece with all of the action themes that came before. The real strength of this score, though, is that there isnt a bad theme. The soundtrack is enjoyable from start to finish while at the same time cementing Oshima as one of the greatest composers attached to the franchise for her overall dependability. Now in terms of this release in particular it contains... one new track. Well technically three, but two of them are just themes edited together into mini-suites, although the "The Mothra Larvae Land - Imago Mothra Dies" edit is really well done for the way it puts emphasis on the usually tame "Imago Mothra Dies" theme. Sadly, this particular track does have faint dialogue in it, which is very hard to hear but it is there, which means that Toho Music likely used a film souce for this. Anyway, the new track is "Send-Off Party BGM", which is actually a fantastic theme. Its subtle, and very classical in its approach, but is a great cue and its nice to finally have it. Otherwise this release is very close to the previously mentioned King Records CD (KICA-620). It does break up the cues so they are by themselves, which is more preferable. Sadly, it mixes the unused cues with the used ones, creating a disjointing experience. The unused cues, which arent even marked on the CD, are as follows: Beached Kamoebas (M9), Repair Status (M11), Yoshitos Bitterness (M19), Imago Mothra × Godzilla II (M20), Imago Mothra × Godzilla III (M22), Mothra Larvae in the Sea (M28) and Mesa All-Out Attack (M36). On the plus side, we have titles for these tracks and can now place the music to the scenes they were at one time planned for. As for the second CD, which is actually the third disc for Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), it starts with alternate edits that were originally featured on Victors release (VICP-62936). Following this are 28 tracks by Keith Emerson. I would be lying if I didnt say that these 28 tracks werent very interesting. They present a view of what the score could have been like. They include outtakes, which reveal some surprising facts. First off, the battle with Rodan, Anguirus and King Caesar was at one point going to be set to Emersons version of the Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) main title. Emerson was also going to use a motif from his "Gotengo vs. Manda" theme for the opening with Godzilla, but thankfully Yano composed something for this instead. It is sad, though, to see the unused track for the "Threat of Monsters" part, M2A, which is actually much better than the reused "Crusing the Cirro-Stratus" theme they ended up placing there. Following this are a random array of tracks. They seem to be more outtakes, but arent attached to any specific sequence of the movie. For example, there is one for Hedorah, which is oddly soothing, and a couple of attempts at Akira Ifukube themes. There are also a few themes attached to the Xilien Ship, both of which are god awful. "Xilien Ship 1" sounds like walking into a room with three people playing around on synthesizers: a lot of noise without any unifying tempo. Its bad... really bad. So awful, in fact, that the CD would have benefited had it been left off, like "Xilien Ship 2" was. In terms of the third version of this, it starts off okay, but eventually turns bad as well and long overstays its welcome. After these are two tracks called "Parody Spy Music into Serious", none of which was used and are oddly named to boot, and then a collection of 15 demos. The demos repeat themes seen in the film, and give an early idea as to their progression during the movies development, while some also introduce some music that was never used for the movie. All in all, this last CD for the 2004 film is one thats interesting from a film production angle, but not one that lends itself to a stand alone listening experience. Overall, the Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. content is still great, the second disc for the 2004 film... not so much. If one is curious, the first disc by itself would have gotten a higher score, about 4 stars, but the second CD dragged down the rating. Also, just as a closing remark, if one has the King Records CD (KICA-620) then there isnt much new for that particular film.