Godzilla vs. Mecha-Godzilla (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Year Movie Released in Japan: 1993 \rYear Movie Released in U.S.: 1999 \rThe first movie soundtrack contained in the fifth Godzilla Soundtrack Perfect Collection box set is Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993). This movie is the 20th Godzilla movie, and the 10th (or 11th if you count Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) which consisted of only stock music) with the music composed by maestro Akira Ifukube. As with his other Heisei soundtracks, Ifukube once again creates a beautiful score, with old themes and some new ones too. \rThe first track, "Opening", starts the movie quite eerily with the use of King Ghidorahs theme, as the remains of Mecha-King Ghidorah are shown in the opening scene. After we are shown the progress of G-Forces development, the "Main Title" track kicks in with Ifukubes new Mechagodzilla theme. This theme isnt actually "new", its an updated version of Mechani-Kongs theme from King Kong Escapes (1967), which is also heard as a military theme in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). You can clearly hear the closest resemblance in "Mechagodzilla Repair Operation". Ifukubes new themes for this movie include the "G-Force March", Baby Godzillas theme, and "The Esper Chorus". Especially the latter two are definite masterpieces. The theme of Baby Godzilla is quite touching, particularly in "Parting with Baby", and "The Esper Chorus" is a pretty haunting piece. \rIfukubes beloved theme of Rodan makes a triumphant return in "Rodan Appears". Track 24, "Rodan Attacks Sendai", features a longer version of Rodans theme, which actually uses part of the Godzilla theme last heard in Destroy All Monsters (1968), or Godzilla vs. Gigan, to be more precise. This part can also be recognized as the beginning of Daimajins theme. Speaking of Daimajin, "Electrical Discharge Attack" is an updated version of the "chase theme" from the first two Daimajin movies. And, of course, the maestros great Godzilla theme is back. This movie actually brings back the version of Godzillas theme that was last used in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), or, again, Godzilla vs. Gigan. And it definitely sounds as wonderful as ever. But what would a Godzilla movie be without the classic Godzilla march? No need to worry, as the track "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II" features the title march of the first Godzilla movie in full glory. \rAs for the bonus material, this two-disc release of the soundtrack features lots of extra tracks to keep the listener busy. Granted, this release doesnt contain the complete soundtrack as heard in the movie like the earlier two-disc release (TYCY-5342~3) did, but this new release does have plenty of tracks that werent included in the earlier one, including many of the "outtakes" in disc 2. However, some of the tracks on this new release can be recognized from the earlier one. Most obvious examples are tracks 18, 19, 41 and 44 on disc 1. \rDisc 2 also contains a few songs, which are being referred to as "Godzilla Single Collection 1992-2000". The first two songs are already familiar from the previous box set, more precisely from disc 2 of Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992). The always-awful "Gojirap" sounds about the same, but "Godzilla - So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do" is actually a new version of the song, which is, in my opinion, slightly better. The next song, "The Sorrow of Godzilla", is definitely a highlight. Its a very nice pop song with a female vocal, and all in all, one of the better Godzilla songs Ive heard. Disc 2 has also got the theme song of the TV series called Godzilla Island (tracks 21-22), and another song called "Run Run Goji-run", which is only slightly better than "Gojirap". According to the booklet, this song was made to promote Godzilla 2000 Millennium (1999). Quite interestingly enough, this disc also contains an alternate version of the "Opening Title" of the 1998 US version. The rest of the tracks are karaoke versions of the songs. The awful "Gojirap" sounds a lot better without the disturbing vocals. On the other hand, the karaoke versions of "Godzillas Theme" and "Run Run Goji-run" can get pretty tiresome. \rNot too surprisingly, the booklet is great. Its got a nice picture of Godzillas face on the front cover, and images of Ryoko Sano and Shinobu Nakayama on the back cover. The booklet contains lots of information about the movie, notes for the tracks, and even an interview with Akira Ifukube. The standout feature of the booklet is, however, the lyrics of "The Esper Chorus". \r (Ah-) \r Kimta an kamui \r Repta an Kamui \r (Ah-) \r Ukohor poho \r rehe tapne \r ene ene ene \rGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993) is another great soundtrack from Akira Ifukube, and it has been given a wonderful presentation as a 2-disc release in the new box set. More dedicated collectors will most likely try to find the earlier 2-disc release for the complete soundtrack as heard in the movie, but for those who dont have any of the earlier releases, then definitely get this box set as soon as you can.