I don't know Final Fantasy; I was never particulaly taken with Red Dawn (the original release) so have not bothered to purchase the extended release.

I finally purchased Final Countdown earlier this year and wondered why I waited so long - excellent, in my view. But then I like the movie which may help.

Mitch, November 8, 2007; 9:16 AM

I agree, Mitch...."Final Countdown" is an excellent score to a great film. I've liked both for 27 years now.

Dirk, I guess you wasted your money....ever try watching the movie first to hear the music instead of wasting your money buying something you have NO idea how you will like it or not?

kriegerg69, November 8, 2007; 10:27 AM

Here's another in favor of Final Countdown". As far as big orchestral action and excitement goes, it one of the best.

I bought a copy on vinyl at Tower on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles in 1979. One of my first film score recordings.

I remember the theme as a write this it's so memorable.

I guess the original poster should decide for himself and not read the reviews. I never go by what someone else has to say.


victoravalentine, November 8, 2007; 12:14 PM

BECAUSE!!! ... it's a matter of taste.

you are free to write your own reviews.
Personally I like all three scores. well...

1701, November 8, 2007; 12:40 PM

Personally, I like the RED DAWN score.
It's classic filmscoring with an added personal touch from the composer.
If you watch the movie, the music fits perfectly with its military themes including a hint of patriotism and victory/heroism (and emotional cues where needed).

Sure, by today's standards it is dated, but so is the movie. Nowadays, such a film (very right-wing) would be impossible to make, which is part of its appeal. You have to place it in the right context to enjoy it. For that reason alone, I never buy a soundtrack based on a review.

Still, tastes vary. I can only say that the score supports the film effectively and is also very enjoyable without the images.

EDIT: I think too many soundtrack enthousiasts forget that a score is composed for a movie. It is still a collaboration between a composer and a filmmaker and an artform that changes over time - what worked then, might not be your cup of tea today. Also, a composer is supposed to be an expert in all musical genres, for he has to accompany images which were created by someone else. Hence, you can't expect to like everything a certain composer produces - much has to do with the nature/genre of the project.

rinse_dream, November 8, 2007; 2:18 PM

Hello,

I happen to like Final countdown and Red Dawn very much. I agree, It is a matter of taste. dirk if you give a list of scores you think are great I'm sure some people would say some of your choices "suck big time" as well. Like someone said watch the movie first, then you will know.


Best Regards,
David Phoenix, AZ.

deg63iami, November 8, 2007; 3:31 PM

And then sometimes, you listen to it again after some time has passed and, bingo, you like it. S'happened to me.

weavercp, November 8, 2007; 7:28 PM

Yeah, I know what you mean by listening to something again and liking it.

The thing about listening to film music is that a person can often match whatever frame of mind they are in with appropiate sound. Sort of like scoring your own mood.

victoravalentine, November 8, 2007; 7:40 PM

If you don't like your CD's just send them to me. I'll take them off your hands. :)

If you're old enough to have seen Final Countdown or Red Dawn in theaters when both films were released, you would undoubtedly have a much different opinion of the music and the roles and context they played in both films.

Final Fantasy was a truly disappointing and uninteresting film to start with but Goldenthal's score was probably the most memorable element of that movie.

rwjolley, November 9, 2007; 3:17 AM

Personally, I don't remember much about John Scott's score for "The Final Countdown", but I do quite enjoy the movie. As for "Final Fantasy" and "Red Dawn", they're two of my all time favorites scores by two of my favorite composers. "Final Fantasy" for me stands out as one of the more brilliant uses of orchestration and musical color in at least the last decade.

As a composer myself, I for once would love to actually have somebody explain what it is specifically they don't like about a piece of music rather than just offer the standard "it sucks". Or maybe it's just the well-versed musical snob in me that wants a little more explanation BEFORE I tell someone why they're wrong - hehe!


shehan23, November 9, 2007; 8:49 AM

IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TASTES, Dirk!... and I don't really understand your question, anyway...???
... nore do I understand you guys replying to him ;-)

davegaumann, November 9, 2007; 10:39 AM

Ah well the reason why I responded is to throw in a good word for the great John Scott action score "The Final Countdown".

I owned a copy of that score for years before giving it a second listen to and it was like... Goddamn!

Have never seen the film. I remember it not doing too well at the boxoffice if I'm not mistaken.

victoravalentine, November 9, 2007; 2:16 PM

''The thing about listening to film music is that a person can often match whatever frame of mind they are in with appropiate sound... sort of like scoring your own mood.''

Your remark is so to the point and so p-e-r-f-e-c-t 'killer knives'!!!...

I LUV IT!!!...

I have to frame this or even print it on a T-shirt or even make a bumper siticker out of it (how crass).

It sums up everything I feel about film music in one simple sentence.

Generally, I am not critical with most of my film score selections. I like all of my film scores more all less depending on the mood I'm in. What I enjoy one day, I might enjoy less the next and even if a score does not immediately strike me - like the one I found myself listening to DID! in this music store I was browsing through today and simply had to go and ask the kind employee what they were playing - I don't shun it but give it a chance to prove itself.

BTW the score was ''BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ'' and it was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

Highly recommended!

serifiot, November 9, 2007; 9:07 PM

Sounds like a west coast music shop... The score from Berlin Alexanderplatz playing. Southern California has always been the place for film music.

I still think about the extensive selection of film music Tower Hollywood always had on display.

I was watching Body Double a few nights ago. There's a scene that I'm almost certain was shot inside the Tower on Sunset.

victoravalentine, November 10, 2007; 11:09 AM

I would think New York City as well. There once were lots of small record stores with great stuff including Tower Records of course.

Unfortunately most if not all of these record stores have evaporated amongst the cleansing and sanitazation of present day Disneyland Manhattan.

serifiot, November 10, 2007; 2:50 PM

Not to mention ebay. Why rent a store front in order to open a store when it can be done on the internet for nearly nothing.

victoravalentine, November 10, 2007; 4:26 PM