The Giacchino That Roared
Roar!
The only really great thing about the inexplicably popular monster movie Cloverfield was Michael Giacchino’s Roar! theme which played over the closing credits.
It captured the essence of the old Godzilla movies in a way I wish the movie had as well. I know, Cloverfield simply wasn’t that movie and it was never supposed to be. It was more concerned with the stupid problems of a bunch of boring 20-somethings and it made a bajillion dollars and that’s great (yay Cloverfield!), but damnit it could’ve been cool. It could’ve been the movie everyone hoped Godzilla 1998 was going to be. Instead, it was an episode of The OC with handheld cameras and the occasional bit of carnage to hide the plot holes.
But, I digress. The point of this post is that the full, unedited, 12+ minute theme is now available exclusively for download from iTunes (US only) for the low, low price of $1.99 (cheap!). I guess the movie is also available for download, but whatever. You’d be better off listening to Roar! seven times in a row, but if you want to turn 90 minutes of your life into what feels like 2 1/2 hours, then watch the movie. Good luck to you.
Also, I could go on an extended rant about the fascism of Roar! only being available on iTunes, particularly on behalf of you poor sonsobitches living outside of the territorial United States, but Internet savvy types have probably been downloading it left and right for months anyway. Besides, I’ve seen the cutesy commercials and I know that the iLifestyle is unstoppable. Far be it from me to get in the way.
I’m getting sidetracked again.
Composer Michael Giacchino is probably better known for his sublime scores for Pixar’s The Incredibles and Ratatouille. He also did the score for TV’s Lost and Alias plus the upcoming theatrical features Speed Racer and Star Trek.
Source: Coming Soon
Filed under: Miscellaneous
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This guy has become my favorite current film composer.
Along with Carter Burwell, he’s among the few modern composers who get my attention along with director, writer, cinematographer and star.
WOW. MOST IMPRESSIVE.
Never saw Cloverfield. Not my speed. But that piece of music was wicked.
It’s the ultimate perfect distillation of every Godzilla theme by Ikufube from the 60’s. BTW, happy birthday to the best Big G. film, GODZILLA VERSUS THE THING!
The music definitely caught my attention. I thought it perfectly captured the film, and the momentous feeling I had after the film was over.
But of course, I loved the film as well - borderline revolutionary and I think what will become one of the defining films of the decade in terms of form and cultural significance. It will make an interesting case for film historians 20 years down the road when they examine the blending of internet culture and film.
I’ll be curious to catch it again Matthew. Sometimes, when I see a movie with expectations that aren’t met, I’m disappointed even if what was ultimately offered is just fine. Does that make sense? Anyway, that could’ve been the case with Cloverfield.
These are the times that it’s annoying to be a Luddite. I want to just buy this on CD, not download it! How can I own it if it’s merely downloaded! Man am I out of touch.
Meanwhile, I still hate the movie. I can see it having impact down the road as far as form goes but I think it had/ will have zero ‘cultural’ significance since it’s just another second-rate monster movie with shallow characterization, once you get past the Blair Witchiness of it all.
I missed the film, it opened when the “Blood’s” and “No Country’s” were opening - so it was expected. I think it was Matt Lucas who told me about the music WAY back when, and it does truly rock. Okay, not ROCK, but it is notable indeed.
Giacchino’s synthesis of John Barry scores for “The Incredibles” is wonderful, amazing music. He’s a titan.
I’d like to pipe up as the slightly more positive minority on the film — it didn’t irk me nearly as much as “The Mist.” It was what it was and, I thought, occasionally very entertaining.
The monster’s “shedding” gave me more willies than anything I saw in a horror movie all year. And I loved Lizzy Caplan and those damn boots of hers. Yes, I occasionally cursed the stupidity and vapidity of the characters … but, shit, that’s part of the fun of some horror movies.
Regardless of where we stand on the movie, I’m thinking we agree Giacchino rules?
The great thing about Incredibles (and I’m saying this just based on watching the movie, I don’t have the soundtrack) is that it was the synthesis you suggest Harvey, without being a ripoff or a satire.
Same thing with this Roar piece and his Ratatouille work was a wonderful fusion of French cafe music and jazz. Old and new…yet all on its own.
Wow, I was just able to listen to this. Makes Cloverfield sound like a much better movie than it was.
Okay, I am totally going to see Colverfield sometime, I have to, I LOVE Lizzy Caplan ever since “Janis Ian” in Mean Girls, I have no excuse now that it is on DVD.
This feels like if Ennio Morricone scored Godzilla (did he at some point?) and that’s a good thing.
I hated the movie but this piece of music is tremendous. And you’re right, Chuck; it sounds like it could be for the film Once Upon a Time in the West Godzilla Destroyed a Defenseless City.