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It is without doubt that Akira Ifukube left his mark on the Godzilla Franchise with the scores and soundtracks he composed, and gave us Godzilla’s iconic theme. And while I would think that no other composer could top his work across the Godzilla Franchise, there certainly were plenty that offered up themes for the Big G that are excellent in their own right. So, a couple years after Tom Holkenborg’s Godzilla theme was introduced to us in Godzilla vs Kong and about a year until Godzilla x Kong, the topic here is to celebrate a few of those original themes that other composers made for Godzilla.
While I certainly missed Bear McReary’s soundtrack when watching GvK, I think Junkie XL delivered a great Godzilla theme: It is clear he was not kidding when he mentioned he was a Godzilla fan, as it sounded very in line with Akira Ifukube’s scores, and the less heroic tone to it fit with the film as Godzilla’s stance on humans was questioned.
Though there were plenty from other Godzilla films as well. Here are a few examples of themes to choose from (I have grouped together similar themes):
- Godzilla vs Hedorah and Godzilla vs Megalon
- Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla
- The Return of Godzilla
- Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla
- Godzilla (1998)
- Godzilla 2000: Millennium
- Godzilla vs Megaguirus and Kiryu Saga
- GMK
- Godzilla: Final Wars
- Godzilla (2014)
- Themes from Shin Godzilla (Persecution of the Masses and Who Will Know)
- Godzilla Earth’s theme in the Anime Trilogy
- Godzilla vs Kong
Do name any I may have missed, and list your picks in the comments.
| Posted by JohnGojira on 7 May 2023 at 16:28. |
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As an example here are some of my picks.
- Godzilla’s theme for The Return of Godzilla: it sounded ominous, fitting with Godzilla’s return to an antagonistic role. For some reason, I almost thought of Darth Vader a bit when hearing it, as it is applied to another character of imposing stature in the 80’s.
- Another theme was Godzilla’s theme in Godzilla vs Megaguirus and his theme from the Kiryu Saga. I think they certainly fit with Godzilla slowly advancing through a place, and definitely give a feeling of power to him. There also is variation between the two themes, with the variations in the percussion between the two Millennium Era films.
- Persecution of the Masses was certainly excellently done, as you could imagine Shin Godzilla in his second form cumbersomely smashing through the scape, causing havoc for the people and the increasing tension of the situation. Who Will Know helped to advertise the scene of Shin Godzilla’s first injury sustained in his fourth form, giving you a brief feeling of sympathy for him with its melancholy tone, before unleashing destruction upon his surroundings, all perfectly captured in the theme.
- For all the problems of the Anime Trilogy’s poor handling of monster action, we did get a kick ass Godzilla theme. The vocals and the instruments certainly advertise Godzilla Earth’s size and power, giving him a god-like feeling.
- Though my favorite has to be Godzilla’s theme from GMK. It sounds very menacing, fitting the depiction of Godzilla in the film, advertising his malevolent nature. It also has the supernatural feeling that is held throughout the soundtrack of the film. Plus, I have to give extra points as it was the composer for the Heisei Gamera Trilogy’s soundtrack, which was also brilliant as well.
| Posted by JohnGojira on 7 May 2023 at 16:40. |
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