Supergirl

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Why o why does Jerry Goldsmith has to repeat everything that Williams does, but only one a sore basis? Of course I'm talking about the movies Goldsmith scores and not the scores that accompany them. Supergirl is the latest to join them. Why latest is because the score received a re release and follows such efforts as King Solomon's Mines in the reputation to imitate a project Williams scored big with. Of course, speaking of films they had a good idea: put a pretty girl into a suit that hypnotizes men and make her fly around so that she will enter your bedroom in the dreams to come. But as with many efforts, the movie was horrendously bad and Goldsmith's score once more was heard only by those who were stupid to rent it or those drunk as hell. Now, speaking about the re release of the score by Jerry Goldsmith, it is ultimately the saving grace of the movie. Yet, at the same time it is not an effort I listen to much and more I have a hard time enjoying it as other classics have done. For instance, King Solomon's Mines is way better and the electronic whooshes you regularly spot are effective during the movie (should be) but on disc they are a distraction nonetheless.

The theme of Goldsmith is also something different, it is not bad but it is not Williams' gold and Goldsmith's silver. It has to satisfy itself with bronze. It nonetheless opens the disc with the concert version in 'Overture' and wraps up all the things you will encounter during your visit. The main theme which is augmented by the synths that rained during that time, further you have the lovely love theme and the bad person (in this case woman) theme that opens the disc. It all reappears in the following track and through the whole soundtrack. One of the better moments is 'Arrival on Earth / Flying Ballet' which states the theme first soft but then with the same heroic bravura of the opening track. And for the rest we have the same case, the love theme that appears on the occasions and keeps reminding me a bit of King Solomon's Mines' love theme, the synths and electronics which open doors to Explorers and basically these are it. A neat little gesture is the version of John Williams' Superman theme in 'The Superman Poster' (stated through his own main theme) and obviously makes a link with the whole nonsense brother / sister deal. The action tracks are at times good but mostly revolve around the main theme version and by the time you have heard it 20 times it starts to drag a bit. Also, don't be fooled by the "Chorus" that is stated because you barely hear them, mostly they just set the fantasy tale such as in 6, 21 or 22 but never with an epic feel and that is sad.

The end of the score features more whooshes and electronics, with of course the appropriate bad theme and moody phrases to set the environment. It of course makes the listening experience more boring than just fun and actually hurts the rating. The real downfall is the time, way too long and you mostly have heard the themes before. Also the inclusion of variations on tracks is nice but not interesting because I haven't got an interest in tracks not heard in a movie if they aren't special in the first place, of course not including with this is the first track. 'The final Showdown & Victory / End Title (Short Version)' is twelve minutes long but states the themes more then enough to give it an excellence factor. However, don't consider the whole score the excellent lost one because I feel it misses some class, some orchestral magic and more interest towards several moments. It is a good fantasy score but it is not Superman nor Goldsmith's classic score of the era. Especially think about it because if you do set high standards, you will be disappointed big time. The main theme is fun but not that fun and the same can be said about the whole listening experience. Or to say it in Super quotes: "Supergirl is a nice soundtrack and re release but not superspecial."

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Overture (6.07) Excellent Track

2. Main Title & Argo City + (3.15)

3. Argo City Mall * (0.57)

4. The Butterfly (1.37)

5. The Journey Begins * (1.12)

6. Arrival On Earth * / Flying Ballet (5.37) Excellent Track

7. Chicago Lights * / Street Attack * (2.24)

8. The Superman Poster ** (0.52)

9. A New School (2.13)

10. The Map (1.10)

11. Ethan Spellbound * (2.13)

12. The Monster Tractor (7.35)

13. Flying Ballet (Alternate Version) * (2.14)

14. The Map (Alternate Version) * (1.14)

15. The Bracelet (1.45)

16. First Kiss * / The Monster Storm + (4.35)

17. "Where Is She" / The Monster Bumper Cars (2.58)

18. The Flying Bumper Car (1.28)

19. "Where's Linda?" (1.22)

20. Black Magic (4.09)

21. The Phantom Zone * (3.43)

22. The Vortex / The End Of Zaltar (5.50)

23. The Final Showdown & Victory * / End Title * (12.12) Excellent Track

+ Different Version that on Original CD Release

* Previously unreleased

** Composed by Jerry Goldsmith (75%) and John Williams (25%)

Total Length: 77.51

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=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===