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I have been impressed John Williams' entire body of work, however I have always felt that Superman or Schindler's list were his greatest works and perhaps the greatest soundtracks ever composed. The original versions of the Superman soundtrack were inadequate representations of the richness and beauty of the movie's music. I am overjoyed that this CD at last brings out the true genius of pieces that were previously unavailable. Of particular note are the previously unheard versions of The Planet Krypton and The Death of Jonathan Kent (the latter being one of the most moving pieces ever written for the screen). If you are a Superman fan, or just love great music, get this CD. It is well worth it!
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John Williams' Superman score has such range and variety. It's his best score ever, and that's saying a lot considering he's behind almost every great epic magical blockbuster movie. Highly recommended CD.
By the way, the guy who wrote the Amazon.com editorial on this obviously hasn't seen the movie in a while. It's far from cartoonish, and is only dated in the clothing that the extras wear. Superman: The Movie is definitely my favorite movie ever, and John Williams' score makes it even more memorable and magical.
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Both the film and the music have held up extremely well. With an instantly recognizable theme and supporting score this soundtrack captures the spirit of the Man of Steel perfectly. Equaled only by the TV soundtrack to the original TV show. Far from being outdated both the film and music have proven themselves timeless. Despite the revisionists who crave a "modern" dark and gritty "hero" the uplifting score presents the image of a "strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men". A figure of mythic proportions both distant and familiar both at the same time. A perfect musical match to Christopher Reeve's enjoyable perfectly balanced portrayal. Cartoonish it is not. It is a grand and sweeping delight, a fine addition to anyone's musical or filmscore library.
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The first totally complete version of the score for Superman: The Movie is one of the most spectacular soundtrack releases ever. John Williams' entire score for the movie is here along with several alternate cues and other tracks that have never been released before. The opening bars of the Superman fanfare are among the most recognizable of all super hero movies. No music for a superhero even compares to the score for Superman, which is clearly superior to the music for the next 3 Superman movies, as well as to the scores for Batman, X-Men and Spiderman. Along with the 2 cd's that contain the score, there is a booklet that contains pictures from the production, costumes and a breakdown of the tracks from the soundtrack. It is a clearly superior soundtrack and a must for ay collector, soundtrack enthusiast or John Williams fan.
Rating:  -
Yeah, that's right- in 1978 he had already done a better score for Star Wars, and the best was yet to come.
Sorry to those folks who give this a maximum rating, but any composer's fan notice that this isn't the peak of his originilaty. This one, even, gets repetitive at some tracks, yet it's amazing how it still sounds good thanks to the length of the mov.
The good things are that it sounds very epic, and equal to the mov, Rhino has made a good job, showing finally all the music.
This reflects quite good the Superman's course of life since Krypton, until he defeats Lex Luthor.
CD1:
"Prelude and Main Title" is the more associated to the mov, it presents the march of hope and vitory of Superman. (What a feel each time I hear it!)
"The Planet Krypton" presents the planet with some darker tones at the sentence of the criminals.
Other themes: "Destrution Of krypton"(moving music of the farewell), Star ship Escapes", "The Trip To Earth"(very soft and very good).
Tracks Smallville "Growing Up", Death of Jonathan Kent", "Leaving Home"(sad)
As many say it's good that "Fortress Of Solitude" is now complete, and it has a real fairy tale touch.
Metropolis: "Welcome To Metroplis" (presentation of the love theme), Lex Luthor's Lair (presentation of that delicious and bumbling theme for the villains), The Big Rescue (Superman appears, one of the best tracks), "Super Crime Fighter", "Super rescues"(variations of the main theme)
CD2:
"The Terrace", "Flying Sequence" (long, beautiful way to fly listening to this music), "Lois and Clark".
"Crime of the Century"(funny variation of the villains march), "Sonic Greeting" (Superman arrives at Luthor's Lair)
There are a lot of action tracks- 8, 9, 10 and 11, some better, some sound too similar, but at this point the soundtrack begins to be a bit repetitive.
"Turning Back the World" is really good, using a fast and beautiful orchestration of the love theme as the only way to save Lois.
The score ends with a reprise of the main theme and the love theme.
Overall a very good soundtrack, that leaves us with a good feeling after hear it, yet I think there are a lot of needless bonus tracks that makes us pay more money.
Only for fans of Superman, since Star Wars or Indiana Jones fans will find it quite different.
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