© 2001 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title: GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH:
GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK
Japanese Title: Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidora: Daikaijû soukougeki
CD Label: TOKUMA JAPAN COMMUNICATIONS
CD Number: TKCA-72279
Music by: Kow Otani
Number of tracks: 36
Running time: 57:37
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: Dec. 6, 2000
Year movie released in Japan: Dec. 2001
Year movie released in US: 2003 on DVD

REVIEW

December 16, 2001 - Review Courtesy of David Hirsch

Some people believe a Godzilla film can only be scored by Akira Ifukube. They’ll probably hate this score. However, those not restricted by that edict (and especially those like myself who loved Kow Otani’s Gamera music) will find this score a fresh and original departure from what has been done before. Although primarily orchestral in nature, Otani peppers the score with a vast array of electronic effects and choral vocals, a technique he refined over the Gamera series and his last film, “Cross Fire.”

Three primary themes are reflected throughout the score, though the new 8 figure “Destruction God” theme for the evil Godzilla is most often used, the more expressive religious theme for the trio of Japanese kaiju gods (most expressively used in “God Of Water - Mothra”) and the memorable motif “Determined To Protect The Future,” are Otani’s most expressive and touching musical phrases. There is also a military march (tracks 18 & 19) that makes it’s appearance last in the film.

Otani’s Godzilla theme, like his Gamera theme, is actually quite short and simple, but very effective when counter mixed with other motifs. This gives the whole film a constant sense of imminent destruction. Godzilla is a major threat to Japan, and all forces, both man and monster, have little time to stop him. As with the previous two films, Ifukube’s music does make an appearance here as the end titles, comprised of the maestro’s original Godzilla themes and the “The Great Monster War March.”

The one failing of this album stems from presentation. The tracks are presented as individual cues. This lack of crossfades breaks some of the momentum established by Otani's melodies. Also the edit in the “End Title” between Ifukube’s themes and Otani’s “Main Title” is just appalling. 


GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK
Japanese Title:	Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidora: Daikaijû soukougeki

Track translations courtesy of:  John Cassidy (Daijirou Ryuusei)


 1.) Marching Orders
 2.) Main Title
 3.) The Giant Fang
 4.) The Menacing Claw Mark
 5.) The Incident At The Lake Shore
 6.) The Enigmatic Old Man
 7.) The Giant Foot
 8.) The Sleeping Three-Headed Dragon
 9.) The Black Afterimage
10.) God Of Earth - Baragon
11.) The Destruction God Appears
12.) The Terrifying Arrival At Shore
13.) The Forgotten Terror
14.) The Confrontation Of The Two Giant Monsters
15.) The Ambushing Holy Beast
16.) God Of Water - Mothra
17.) The Unleashed Spirits Of The War Dead
18.) Attack Preparation
19.) A Tense Moment
20.) God Of The Sky - King Ghidorah
21.) GMK
22.) The Raging Mad Godzilla
23.) Determined To Protect The Future
24.) Mysterious Power
25.) The Miracle Of The Three Holy Beasts
26.) A Hopeless Crisis
27.) The Escape From Godzilla
28.) Tribute To The Spirits Of The War Dead
29.) End Roll (GODZILLA Theme ~ Great Monster War March ~ Main Title*)
        Composed by Akira Ifukube and *Kow Otani
30.) GODZILLA Theme
        Composed by Akira Ifukube
31.) The Great Monster War March
        Composed by Akira Ifukube
32.) Sound Effects: Godzilla (Roars, Growl, Light Ray)
33.) Sound Effects: Baragon (Roars)
34.) Sound Effects: Mothra's Larva Phase: (Cries)
35.) Sound Effects: Mothra (Cries, Flight)
36.) Sound Effects: King Ghidorah (Roars, Flight)