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Transformers The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition [Limited] [Remaster] by Original Soundtrack

Transformers The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition [Limited] [Remaster] by Original Soundtrack Review



Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)



Transformers The Movie Soundtrack is More Than Meets the Eye
5 star rating

Open-minded, Music Fan, into jazz, into trying new things, still loves cartoons, an artist, a comic book junkie!, a classic music fan
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Pros

    Energetic, Upbeat

Cons
    A bit cheesy

JUL
13
2008
There are times at work when I need to make the day more interesting so I pop open iTunes and let the music flow freely. Recently, one song that played was “The Touch”. My co-worker looked at me and said, “This song is from Boogie Nights.” I looked at her and said, “Yes and no. It was played during Boogie Nights but this is the original version. Bewilderment spread across her face and she inquired, “What do you mean original version? I thought it was first played in Boogie Nights." Ah, to correct somebody is sometimes a curse. I’m used to it by now. “Believe it or not, this is not the first time the song has appeared. In fact, the first time it was heard was in 1986 in an animated feature called The Transformers: The Movie.” The silence that followed was deafening.

While the 1986 animated feature film The Transformers: The Movie was average at best in its storyline, the soundtrack is definitely superior. Re-released in 2007, The Transformers: The Movie—20th Anniversary Edition Original Soundtrack definitely kicks things into high gear with its combination of heavy metal songs and synthesizers. Vince DiCola composed and produced the film’s score as well as the instrumental scenes.

It’s an interesting exercise listening to these songs while watching the movie. However, it’s even more interesting just listening to this soundtrack on its own. Other than the main "The Transformers (Theme)", it’s hard to imagine that these songs belong to a kid’s movie based on a toy line (unless, of course, you are already privy to the secret). This is why I can get away with listening to it at work because all people hear is this heavy metal montage in the background. Little do they know that I like revisiting my childhood.

Songs such as "Instruments of Destruction" (performed by N.R.G.), "Nothin’s Gonna Stand in Our Way" (performed by Spectre General), and "Hunger" (also performed by Spectre General) are songs that can standalone. The heavy guitars and loud wailing help define these tunes. Whenever someone asks me why I play these songs, I say it’s to decompress. Evidently, it’s landing on my daily playlist quite more frequently.

"Dare To Be Stupid" by "Weird Al" Yankovic is a song that almost seems out of place on the entire soundtrack, yet strangely enough it works very well. Just like the title indicates, it really is a stupid tune that just evokes craziness and fun. There’s no deeper meaning to it than that.

Vince DiCola produced the instrumental pieces for the movie with “Escape”, “Autobot/Decepticon Battle”, and “Death of Optimus Prime”. The electric, synthesized background music is very distinctive for the film and works very well with the subject matter at hand. DiCola’s compositions feel very organic with how the story progresses. I do admit that the storyline wasn’t the greatest in literary execution but the music helps mask it (okay, that was statement was a bit of a stretch as nothing could have saved the story).

Stan Bush lends his vocals to a DiCola diddy called “Dare”. But the one everyone remembers the most is “The Touch”, again performed by Bush. It’s the ultimate cheesefest song that becomes extremely infectious. I’ll always associate this song with Optimus Prime and Megatron’s climatic final battle. This is probably why it resonates with fanboys the most.

The 20th Anniversary edition also includes 4 new tracks. “Unicron Medley" is definitely one that was overlooked in the first release so I’m glad it’s featured on this one. "Moon Base 2 - Shuttle Launch" and "Megatron Must Be Stopped (Pts. 1 and 2)" continue DiCola’s handiwork on the film and fleshes out the story even more. There is also an alternate version to "The Transformers (Theme)” but it isn’t anything memorable. The one performed by Lion for the movie is still a great a mix.

The fanboy in me always seem to gravitate back to this soundtrack and I’m glad more songs were added to The Transformers: The Movie—20th Anniversary Edition Original Soundtrack. My co-workers are oblivious to what they are listening to thinking I’m just a big metal head. Apparently, the tagline “More Than Meets the Eye” from the Transformers is definitely applicable to me as well.

Last edited on Jul 13, 2008


I_thumb_up Transformers The Movie: 20th Anniversary Edition [Limited... is recommended by elvisdo


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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about elvisdo’s Review



MikeMaroon wrote on Jul 15, 2008 at 11:12PM


NIce! have to check this out!


Jo wrote on Jul 14, 2008 at 5:14PM


:~)