Buying Star Trek Scores

[Dean1700 4]

Okay. I've been thinking about a Star Trek score "purchasefest" and I expect to be buying the latest releases of Horner's Star Trek II and III scores very soon, even though STII-TWOK has been available for over 12 months now. But what about Giacchino's 2 disc version from Varese? I quite enjoy the film and given the fact that there is less than 500 copies left of this version I would like to know if it is worth getting.

Does it suit the film the way Horner's music suited the movies he scored?

Opinions sought.

[Trent B 317]

I would highly recommend getting FSM's Star Trek II and III, they're a must.

For Varèse 2-CD set for Giacchino's Star Trek, at least in my opinion it's a wonderful score. I've grown to like it a lot more since I've owned it. With less than 500 copies remaining I would get yourself one before they sell out. You won't regret it, trust me.

[Datameister 1,394]

Well...try not to compare it too much to Horner's excellent work in the saga, because this is a very different style of scoring. If you're going to buy this score, do buy the 2-disc version, as the 1-disc OST is very short and doesn't really adequately represent all the music in the film. But it's really up to you whether you want to buy the score in the first place. The main theme is not as openly heroic as the fanfares that Goldsmith and Horner crafted - it's a little more solemn and pensive, with almost a tinge of MV-like tonality to it. (Not in a bad way.) The action music is pretty much what you'd expect from Giacchino: rather frantic, with some pretty cool little melodic building blocks and statements of the major themes thrown in when appropriate. One of the most interesting parts of the score is Spock's theme, which uses the "ethnic" sound of the erhu to really capture Spock's human side in a gorgeous way. Nero's theme is also deliciously good - a very straightforward but effective bad guy theme for low brass.

Again, try not to compare this with Horner's work. As thoroughly as I enjoy Giacchino's effort, it really doesn't have the sort of greatness that TWOK has. But if you just let it do its own thing, I think you'll enjoy it.

Also, if Joey comes through here with his standard lines about this being the worst score ever, etc., don't listen.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

It suits the movie perfectly, but it's nowhere near as good as TWOK and Horner. But it's still pretty good, with some moments of greatness.

[Trent B 317]

I do agree too that Giacchino's score suits the film quite perfectly. All though with a lot of unused music you can tell he over-scored it a bit. So JJ made a wise choice on cutting some music where it needed. However, the unused music is quite good on its own as well.

In terms of being in the same league as Horner's both TWOK and TSFS, I would say yes it is.

[Dean1700 4]

Well...try not to compare it too much to Horner's excellent work in the saga, because this is a very different style of scoring. If you're going to buy this score, do buy the 2-disc version, as the 1-disc OST is very short and doesn't really adequately represent all the music in the film. But it's really up to you whether you want to buy the score in the first place. The main theme is not as openly heroic as the fanfares that Goldsmith and Horner crafted - it's a little more solemn and pensive, with almost a tinge of MV-like tonality to it. (Not in a bad way.) The action music is pretty much what you'd expect from Giacchino: rather frantic, with some pretty cool little melodic building blocks and statements of the major themes thrown in when appropriate. One of the most interesting parts of the score is Spock's theme, which uses the "ethnic" sound of the erhu to really capture Spock's human side in a gorgeous way. Nero's theme is also deliciously good - a very straightforward but effective bad guy theme for low brass.

Again, try not to compare this with Horner's work. As thoroughly as I enjoy Giacchino's effort, it really doesn't have the sort of greatness that TWOK has. But if you just let it do its own thing, I think you'll enjoy it.

Also, if Joey comes through here with his standard lines about this being the worst score ever, etc., don't listen.

I'm not comparing. Just wanted to get an idea if it works as well in the movie, in it's own right as Horner's did after Goldsmith's ST-TMP.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

Giacchinno's ST is decent, with some pretty good parts here and there. Nothing more nothing less and certainly not a patch on the Goldsmith and Horner scores.

[Datameister 1,394]

I'm not comparing. Just wanted to get an idea if it works as well in the movie, in it's own right as Horner's did after Goldsmith's ST-TMP.

Fair enough. In that case, I'd say yes, definitely.

[Henry B 49]

Star Trek D.E. is essential for cues like "Narada Boom," "Welcome Back, Spock" and "Galaxy's Worst Sushi Bar." The OST throws so much action at you that it's difficult (for me) to tolerate.

I think that the score was thoroughly diluted in the film. It's nowhere near as bad as TPM, for example, but it just seems to me that a lot of the funner/stranger moments were edited out by people afraid of taking risks (Abrams? doesn't matter). The distorted erhu for Nero, for example, would have given more personality to the villain; on the other hand, you could argue that Eric Bana didn't need any help doing that. And the second version of the main title (not included on the D.E.) is oh so good. It was used in McCoy's introduction scene in the film, but under the dialogue it's not noticeable. It's just so sad and reflective compared to the edit of "Enterprising Young Men" used in the film.

[Trent B 317]

Star Trek D.E. is essential for cues like "Narada Boom," "Welcome Back, Spock" and "Galaxy's Worst Sushi Bar." The OST throws so much action at you that it's difficult (for me) to tolerate.

That I agree with the D.E. definitely gives more of a balance to the score.

[OneBuckFilms 181]

Disclaimer: I am personally biased in favor of this score.

The D.E. is an opportunity not to be missed, and really the only way to get a true picture of the score as a whole.

The OST is okay, but is geared largely to the Action side, and misses out some of the best cues in the score ("Hangar Management", "Chutes and Matter", "Galaxy's Worst Sishi Bar", "I Gotta Beam Me" and "Trekking Down the Narada" among others), and there is a very slight improvement in sound quality.

It also provides a greater sense of balance to the score between the action and interpersonal moments of the score, with Spock's theme in particular getting far better treatment.

I highly recommend this one, even with the minor issues re: lack of liner notes, package size, missing choir and missing percussion overlays.

Blink and you'll miss it.

To get a general idea as to what to expect, the Michael Giacchino Music web site has samples of every track of the score:

http://michaelgiacchinomusic.com/discography_startrekdeluxe.htm

[Andy 1,492]

I would say buy it and try it. If you don't like it, I think its re-sale value will escalate once it is sold out. If you enjoy the film, the soundtrack is a nice way to remember it. The Deluxe Edition is definitely the way to go. If you like it, great. If you don't like it, you can probably wait a few months and get more than you paid for it. I like it a lot better than the original release. But it's not really fair to compare it to Goldsmith or Horner's efforts, as they are the gold standard for Trek scores.

I would also advise that if you're thinking of ordering, I would do so immediately. I bet these last 500 will go in a matter of hours.

[John Crichton 4]

Star Treks II and III are must haves if you're a film score fan.

As for the GiaTrek DE, I'd definitely recommend it. The OST does have most of the best cues, but it's short, action heavy as Henry said, and nearly a quarter of the run time is just the End Credits. It's a fine score and well worth having, and the DE is a much more fleshed out and satisfying experience.

[Datameister 1,394]

Star Treks II and III are must haves if you're a film score fan.

I think II is, not III...but that view's not too popular 'round here.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

I recommend Star Trek The Motion Picture.

[ManofDestiny 56]

To me, MG's Star Trek 2009 is far better than JH's Trek II. JH's trek main theme is too weak, compare to Goldsmith theme or MG's theme. Besides, Horner's action cues works better in Aliens. I know Aliens use Trek's action cues, but the cues are improved in Aliens.

Just me opinion.

I've receive my order including both II and III as well as the DE of 2009 last week, and this is my listen experience in the last few days.

[Richard Penna 2,082]

Star Treks II and III are must haves if you're a film score fan.

I think II is, not III...but that view's not too popular 'round here.

I'm fine with that view I only bought II because I found the original release and liked it. I didn't buy III, and won't be buying TMP.

But the opinion I'd echo is buy the '09 DE before it's sold out. The entire thing is perhaps a little bit overkill, but it's a far better resource than the pathetic OST.

[Jay 27,216]

yea, you could take the 100 minute D.E. and edit it down to the perfect 70-80 minutes that the OST should have been. I appreciate having every cue, but had the OST been that length to begin with, the cues that weren't included wouldn't have made us all clamoring for the complete release as madly as we were with the 45 minute OST

[OneBuckFilms 181]

yea, you could take the 100 minute D.E. and edit it down to the perfect 70-80 minutes that the OST should have been. I appreciate having every cue, but had the OST been that length to begin with, the cues that weren't included wouldn't have made us all clamoring for the complete release as madly as we were with the 45 minute OST

Very, very true.

So, question is, given both the OST and the D.E., what would be your ideal 70 minute release? Perhaps for another thread.

[John Crichton 4]

[FSM board]It was Varese's plan to do that all along to make us want a DE and make us spend the money on it! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!![/FSM board]

[Richard Penna 2,082]

There are surprisingly few areas I'd cut down actually. I really was expecting to enjoy a CD's worth and delete 1/3 of the cues, but it's not like that at all.

The second half of Star Trek isn't very interesting, and Flying Into a Trphlthdl doesn't mean much outside the film, to name a few cues. But overall, it's an excellent score with some moments of filler here and there.

[Ollie 859]

I wouldn't cut anything down. But I'd grab the Deluxe Edition, but remember just because it goes out of print at Varese doesn't mean it's disappeared from the other vendors.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

To me, MG's Star Trek 2009 is far better than JH's Trek II. JH's trek main theme is too weak, compare to Goldsmith theme or MG's theme. Besides, Horner's action cues works better in Aliens. I know Aliens use Trek's action cues, but the cues are improved in Aliens.

Just me opinion.

I've receive my order including both II and III as well as the DE of 2009 last week, and this is my listen experience in the last few days.

Horner's ST theme is wonderfully 'naval', MG's is I'm afraid, rather cheap and almost annoying.

[Datameister 1,394]

I think I got goosebumps the first time I heard Giacchino's.

Not trying to support ManofDestiny's view that TWOK is an inferior score, mind you. But I do like Giacchino's main theme, even though it gets overused in the score.