by Alexborn007 on 6/1/2003
 
Since no one has stood up to the challenges of reviewing this massive collection of movie music from Varese's time making soundtracks... I'll accept. ;-)

Well, this is one great deal. 4CDs, 84 cues, 84 movies, and it's all for under 20 bucks. Personally, I do not think compilations get any better than this. Now, I can't review every disc due to their very large size so I'll try and condense their content to a few paragraphs.

The selection of cues is very strong. This is a great way for a soundtrack newbie to become immersed in the very different realms of movie music (and even their individual styles). Examples: Horror: Halloween, Sixth Sense, Nightmare on Elm Street; Science Fiction: Empire Strikes Back, Shadows Of The Empire, Total Recall, Starship Troopers and Back To The Future III; Action: Die Hard, Gone In 60 Seconds, Bourne Identity, and Air Force One.

In those examples alone, you can see the diversity and sheer volume at which the music is presented. This works especially well if you want "the best" from scores and not the filler material (or just want tastes). The worst aspect? This celebration shows you just how incomplete your collection may be! I know there are at least three other scores this 4CD set will influence me to buy.

The collection works fantastically for those with large collections as well. It provides a "cap," if you will, to everything you have (or will have) - a cue from a score you didn't think was available or worth it... and be proven wrong. Overall though, its just an amazing way to hear the most noteworthy music from Varese's catalogue. Bravo Varese... now get us the original tracks from Back To The Future Part I!!! :-p

So...this is a must for ANY soundtrack owner. Meaning: no one who collects scores should be without this. If, for no other reason than to serve as a quintessential statement as to why we love the "music from the movies." Excellent.