ManofDestiny 72 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 The Main Monster is MUTO but not Godzilla. The MUTO theme is pretty notable in the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Would you folks call Desplat, in general, a thematic composer? Because I find it hard to remember some of his longer-lined themes, but on the other hand, the ones that are memorable are, as Stefan alluded to above, quite generic.His more romantic themes are often quite good though. I really liked Desplat's "family" theme from Godzilla. And he's written really nice melodies for films like Lust, Caution and New Moon.I have not seen the film but on the album the music is largely motific (meaning here short musical ideas) and atmospheric with some nice inventions in terms of mood and unique sounds. It indeed lacks to my ears memorable thematic idea to characterize the monster and tie the story together and strong emotional core (I am not meaning it has to be mushy but something I could emotionally latch onto). It is a solid piece of work but nowhere near a 5 star effort like some reviews have touted.What is interesting is that in his smaller scores, Desplat is able to put a lot of character and personality in the music. But when he's given a big budget film to do, like a Godzilla or Harry Potter, the result just sounds a bit too...slick. Very well crafted and professional yes. But rather generic.I wouldn't call the music generic. The action music (which is most of the score), is quite good. He uses a lot of colours in the orchestra that you don't hear in most blockbusters. Clearly this is written by a man who knows his orchestra.It's just the main theme. Which is what annoys me so much. He even gave a nice theme for the family, but couldn't seem to have given Godzilla a more memorable motif.And Incanus, a motivic approach is all an good. But couldn't he have come up with something better than that generic ostinato? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 well that snippet of Ligeti music is also on the soundtrackNo it isn't. That piece at the end of the "Airport Attack" is Desplat, not Ligeti. Williams does a similar vocal technique in 'Replicas' on the A.I. soundtrack. It's certainly reminiscent of Ligeti, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Ligeti was probably temp tracked into those scenes and Desplat was asked to mimic it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 The soundtrack album is getting a vinyl release.Karol Smeltington 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Armond White liked the film, surprisingly. Will definitely be seeing it now.http://www.nationalreview.com/article/378096/wrath-and-benevolence-godzilla-armond-white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,646 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 well that snippet of Ligeti music is also on the soundtrackReminds me of Young's Sandman theme sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Christopher Young would have done a great job on this film, actually.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Christopher Young would have done a great job on this film, actually.KarolAgreed. Would love for him to return to the disaster genre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ManofDestiny 72 Posted May 17, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted May 17, 2014 Taiwan's fan made poster. Dixon Hill, Not Mr. Big, karelm and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,646 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Off topic, but I'm listening to Godzilla Vs. Mothra right now. God, this score is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 My current favourite cue from the album is this one: Sadly, only first half of it is used in the film.KarolP.S. gkgyver, what Godzilla albums would you recommend? It's a practically unexplored territory for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I can say now that I expected more from this score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 What would that be? Tears of joy? Euphoria? The celebration of life? Dispersion of ego and reconnection to higher self? What does Chaac expect from a score to a 200 million blockbuster film in 2014?Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I guess I expected to go "ah ALEXANDRE DESPLAT!!!" and felt short at, like, 70% of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 So the glass is 70% full then. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 But that 30% frustrates me. Not on this one particularly, just due to the general landscape. I guess in a better landscape, I'd be rather happy with one of these random films having music of this caliber of it, You know, a film that seems to enjoy its own music. But as things stand, we cling to stuff like this and it's like there's something missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I think you're forgetting what kind of film this is. It's not only a cheesy monster film (which would have sufficed, too), but a more so-called "grounded" film. And music has to address these kind of aspects. It's an homage to Ifukube, Hollywood monster score and modern blockbuster music all in one. That seemed to have been the intention. I had my doubts too, but after seeing the film it all seems to make sense. The older I get I compare against other films and focus on what it is that the work in question is aiming to do. What is the task Desplat and filmmakers set before themselves? And does it work against that intent?There was a lot of talk about the lack of "theme". Firstly, what that hypothetical theme would supposed to be doing in this particular film? Is there a particular aspect of the story that would benefit from having a long-lined theme? How would it support the film as directed? Is "walking out of the theater humming a tune" the only real criteria?Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 There was a lot of talk about the lack of "theme". Firstly, what that hypothetical theme would supposed to be doing in this particular film? Is there a particular aspect of the story that would benefit from having a long-lined theme? How would it support the film as directed? Is "walking out of the theater humming a tune" the only real criteria?Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I don't actually need a long lined melody to walk out of the theater humming. And this one did a pretty good job of getting parts here and there well embedded into my brain.I just... I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Have you seen the film yet?One of the things I've grown to appreciate is the use of percussion. At first it seemed like a modern cliché, after all taiko drums are being overdone. From, Revenge of the Sith to The Dark Knight, always bloody taiko drums. But this film makes an interesting reference to fundemantal balance in the world so the emergence of those creatures feels almost like a religious theatre of sorts. Hence, the taiko drums, instruments that has its own myth, are completely appropriate. This primal rhythm gives the film some "ancient ritual" vibe. Nice touch.The electric violin creates this "nuclear siren alarm" kind of sound, which is nice.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I like those two elements in the score I haven't seen it yet. I would have, but they didn't release a subtitled version here, so I don't know what to do, since I've been refusing to see any dub at the theatre for years, which has caused me to miss some I wanted to see every now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Think about the positives, at least they wouldn't dub Godzilla himself.Or would they? Anyway, the score feels better in the film. The big pieces feel more massive when married to picture, especially the final bunch of action tracks. And there's some stuff that's not on the album, like the choral statement of main ideas at the very beginning of the film.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karelm 2,915 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 There was a lot of talk about the lack of "theme". Firstly, what that hypothetical theme would supposed to be doing in this particular film? Is there a particular aspect of the story that would benefit from having a long-lined theme? How would it support the film as directed? Is "walking out of the theater humming a tune" the only real criteria?KarolBut its not about walking out of the theater humming a theme... its about a theme having a life after the film. If all we're talking about is the music within the film then we should disregard JW, Goldsmith, Herrmann, Korngold, Rozsa, etc. A cluster will do just fine within the film but won't last long after that. Some of us actually like music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Erm, there's more to this score than tone clusters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 There was a lot of talk about the lack of "theme". Firstly, what that hypothetical theme would supposed to be doing in this particular film? Is there a particular aspect of the story that would benefit from having a long-lined theme? How would it support the film as directed? Is "walking out of the theater humming a tune" the only real criteria?This film certainly doesn't need a long-lined theme. But Godzilla could certainly use a more memorable motif than a pair of broken minor chords. It's about as generic an idea as you can get, as if Desplat put no thought into it (but then again, most of his thematic ideas are often this simple, and dare I say, mundane). Sometimes, the ostinato is handled in an impressive fashion. But often it just gets lost in with all the other ostinatos. It simply doesn't stick out, which Godzilla could certainly use.The score in the end remains a solid collection of well-written action music, with an elegant family theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karelm 2,915 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Erm, there's more to this score than tone clusters.Not enough more. Also I am not reducing great scores to melody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Erm, there's more to this score than tone clusters.Not enough more. Also I am not reducing great scores to melody.Have you listened to it away from the film, free of sound fx? You might change your mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 This film certainly doesn't need a long-lined theme. But Godzilla could certainly use a more memorable motif than a pair of broken minor chords. It's about as generic an idea as you can get, as if Desplat put no thought into it (but then again, most of his thematic ideas are often this simple, and dare I say, mundane). Sometimes, the ostinato is handled in an impressive fashion. But often it just gets lost in all the other ostinatos. It simply doesn't stick out, which Godzilla could certainly use.The score in the end remains a solid collection of well-written action music, with an elegant family theme.I agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 But wasn't the original Godzilla music EXACTLY the same in its melodic constructs? There's certainly no more memorable theme/motif in there. It's just simpler in orchestration which makes it stand out more. That is all.http://youtu.be/PDeU42u2s2YKarol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedigoScan 325 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I barely hear anything at all, any similarities are coincidental if you ask me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karelm 2,915 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Erm, there's more to this score than tone clusters.Not enough more. Also I am not reducing great scores to melody.Have you listened to it away from the film, free of sound fx? You might change your mind.Yes, I listened to it after seeing the film - will relisten again today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Does anyone hear a similarity between the two melodies or not? Is Desplat a cheap bastard or not?Mr. Fantastic couldn't stretch that far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 So, I was listening to this score the other day and there is something about that bit at 0'55 in Godzilla! that sounded familiar to me. And then it hit me... At 0'53: Does anyone hear a similarity between the two melodies or not? Is Desplat a cheap bastard or not?There only similarity is rhythmic. One bar of 4/4 to one of 3/4 (or one whole bar of 7/4). DadaDum DadaDum Dum Dum Dum etc. It's a common motor ostinato you often heard with Goldsmith. Even the Akira Ifukube original (which I'm guessing is Desplat's inspiration) had something similar going on - Pro-Minimalist almost (sounds like MIchael Nyman to me).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDeU42u2s2Y0:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedigoScan 325 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 btw that choral rendition of the themeI am starting to wonder if that was a late additionsince every at least 3 times it popped up in the movie, it was not there on the album version of those tracks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeH 768 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 btw that choral rendition of the themeI am starting to wonder if that was a late additionsince every at least 3 times it popped up in the movie, it was not there on the album version of those tracksPretty sure the reuse fees are to blame for no choir on the CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedigoScan 325 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 oh, the Star Trek XI curse?would explain the alternate opening to AirPort attack as well (which the wondercon footage also lacked, which made me think it was a late addition)though they seem to have kept short bursts of chorals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,421 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE MASSIVE ENSEMBLE BEHIND THE GODZILLA SCOREhttp://www.nerdist.com/2014/05/feast-your-eyes-on-the-massive-ensemble-behind-the-godzilla-score/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 btw that choral rendition of the themeI am starting to wonder if that was a late additionsince every at least 3 times it popped up in the movie, it was not there on the album version of those tracksPretty sure the reuse fees are to blame for no choir on the CD.No! It's all the magical artist vision at creating a reconceptualized album! Koray Savas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,027 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 The original Akira Ikufube score is getting a brand new remasterd LP release (with liner notes from our own Charlie Brigden). You can listen to the album here (for a limited time).Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Mono? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Ware 526 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 So, I was listening to this score the other day and there is something about that bit at 0'55 in Godzilla! that sounded familiar to me. And then it hit me... At 0'53: Does anyone hear a similarity between the two melodies or not? Is Desplat a cheap bastard or not?There only similarity is rhythmic. One bar of 4/4 to one of 3/4 (or one whole bar of 7/4). DadaDum DadaDum Dum Dum Dum etc. It's a common motor ostinato you often heard with Goldsmith. Even the Akira Ifukube original (which I'm guessing is Desplat's inspiration) had something similar going on - Pro-Minimalist almost (sounds like MIchael Nyman to me).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDeU42u2s2Y0:22The Desplat is mostly alternating 8/8 & 7/8, the Beltrami is 7/8 throughout. Given Beltrami's long-standing love affair with 7/8, I'd say this is a coincidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Got around to listening to this albumZero memorable tracks>>> goes in pile of stuff I'll never listen to againK.M. Expecting to post the same thing after he listens to Maleficient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I gave it a shot too. It faded fast from memory. Haven't seen the movie so haven't a clue how well it works or how memorable it is there. I fear I'll feel similarly underwhelmed if I ever get around to hearing Maleficent - based on the rousing reaction here to Desplat's Godzilla. People got my hopes up.It's like everyone else here isn't really all that fussy or exacting when it comes to film music. There's seemingly a lot of love for pretty much anything new as long as it involves an orchestra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Now you sound like KM...eternally bent on the joys your childhood crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Nah, I'm not that chronically unmoving. I still try.But just last night I began watching John Carter of Mars and I knew Gia was the music and I was aware that the score was held in higher regard here and considered one of his best by a few.I dunno, it really did my head in at one point. To call it Mickey Mousing would be an understatement. It was like John Debny supervised the spotting sessions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 GODZILLA and MALEFICENT are not necessarily better though i personally find them more attractive, never could muster much enthusiasm for Giacchino's writing. GODZILLA has at least some select pieces that are musically well-done and entertaining if you like this kind of monster music but it never claims to be more than a loud blockbuster score safely within the genre's conventions. Given Desplat's other works this year i see it more as proof of his current powers. Not many composers are able to produce three markedly different genre scores within a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I liked the overall sound and texture of Godzilla, but the album at least lacked any sense of structure or musical narrative. I like storytelling when I listen to film music. That's what is almost completely missing from film music these days: compositions are painfully bereft of ethos and pathos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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