othra first took flight in 1961, and since her dynamic debut has appeared in nearly a dozen motion pictures, more often than not teamed up with (or fighting against, depending upon the scenario) Godzilla. Following the popular 1992 film Godzilla vs. Mothra, the giant insect was revamped for a trio of exciting stand-alone adventures, released in Japan between 1996 and 1998. The soundtracks for those movies have just been issued for the first time in the United States, offering poignant, powerful and purposeful pieces that should please both steadfast Mothra mavens and long-time "kaiju" (giant monster) fans.
Each recording effectively balances riveting and reflective themes. On the initial platter, simply titled Rebirth of Mothra, taut tunes such as "Super High Speed Battle" and "Fight! In Order to Protect" counter mellow melodies like "The Beginning of the Great Journey" and "Forever Friends." "Mothra, Desperate Situation," "Great Battle at the Bottom of the Ocean" and other evocative cues fill the second disc, Rebirth of Mothra 2, with an energetic but eloquent ambiance, even as the final CD, Rebirth of Mothra 3, imparts an uneasy, edgy air via such subdued tracks as "The Eerie Swarm of Meteors" and "One Last Request."
Although Toshiyuki Watanabe penned most of the works, all three albums contain at least one version of the classic "The Mothra Song," written by Tomoyuki Tanaka, Shin'ichi Sekizawa, Yuji Koseki and original Godzilla director Ishirou Honda. The foldout booklets accompanying the first two collections feature short plot synopses, with the liner notes for the third package spotlighting lyrics for "The Mothra Song" and "Haora Mothra," a brand-new vocal anthem.
A behemoth with a beat
Even in the weird world of Japanese cinema, Mothra is an unusual hero, mixing incredible destructive force with an odd peacefulness that's at once comforting and commanding. The three Rebirth of Mothra motion pictures capitalize on this dichotomy, presenting the creature as a caring and courageous champion. Watanabe's scores consistently reflect that benevolent intent, displaying practical and generally pleasing motifs that are intriguing without being overly intense or intricate.
The initial disc's "Battle of Sixty-Five Million Years Ago, Revisited" is a marvelous merger of animosity and enormity, employing sharp horns and tense strings to fashion an irritable yet imposing atmosphere. Through soaring brass and sturdy percussion, a more optimistic feel dominates Rebirth of Mothra 2, with "The Great, Miraculous Metamorphosis" engendering a confident, celebratory mood and the concluding cut, "To the New Generation of Children," delivering a harmonious, hopeful finale. Highlights of the third installment include "Soaring High 130 Million Years Ago," a striking composition powered by a terrific tribal beat, and the climactic flourishes of "The Last Battle."
A handful of cues are perhaps too simplistic—most notably Rebirth of Mothra 3's plodding "The Return of King Ghidorah"—though since the films were largely conceived as adventures for children such austerity isn't altogether inappropriate. At the same time, the various renditions of "The Mothra Song" are universally synthetic, while "Haora Mothra" is at best a second-rate pop tune. Still, the Rebirth of Mothra CDs adequately capture the majesty, magnificence and mystery of the much-admired monster, providing listeners with a rare opportunity to share in the eccentric yet exhilarating escapades of this truly beloved beast.
