Title:  Castle in the Sky ~ Laputa:  The Castle In The Sky USA Version 
Soundtrack
Catalog Number:  TKCA-72436
Publisher:  Tokuma Japan Communications, Inc.
Release Date:  10/2/2002
Price:  2500 yen
Composer/Arranger:  Joe Hisaishi
Performance:  SEATTLEMUSIC, Vincent Mendoza conducting

Review:

Back in 1998, when Disney released Miyazaki's wonderful KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE 
on video, they announced that their next video release would be LAPUTA:  THE 
CASTLE IN THE SKY (changed to CASTLE IN THE SKY since Laputa is an offensive 
word in Spanish) in 1999.  That was before PRINCESS MONONOKE received a rather 
limited (and too little seen) release in the US.  Disney had at one time 
considered releasing this movie to theaters, but that idea fell by the 
wayside.  Currently, their much gossiped English dub is all finished (and 
premiered at various festivals), although its release date is still up in the 
air.  Recent rumors have hinted that it may (finally!) be released in the US in 
2003, but Disney has yet to announce anything.

For the production of the English dub, Disney suggested for composer Joe
Hisaishi to rerecord his much loved score for the film with the Seattle Music
Orchestra.  This caused a bit of controversy from some Anime purists, but
Hisaishi went ahead and did it, since he has an understanding of Hollywood's
style of scoring for films.  Naysayers dismissed Hisaishi's newly revamped
score, but it nevertheless impressed the ears of Anime fans.  Yet nothing was
ever mentioned about the possibility of a soundtrack album release.  Now, just 
in time for the film's release on DVD in Japan, Tokuma Japan Communications has 
released the US score on CD.

Like many fans, I hold the score of LAPUTA close to my heart (but then again,
I do the same for any score Joe Hisaishi writes!), but, unlike those who said 
nay beforehand, I had faith that Hisaishi could churn out a gem that doesn't
have to top the original score for LAPUTA, but spectacular enough to hold its
own ground.  Happily, I am pleased to announce that this album didn't just meet 
my expectations; it surpassed them... and then some.  From start to end, I felt 
I was listening to what I was expecting to hear; a masterfully arranged 
orchestral suite of Hisaishi's marvelous score.  (Similar to listening to the 
GAME MUSIC CONCERTs) Ah, the joy of hearing your favorite game tunes played by 
an orchestra. For those of you who are worried that this is a butchering of one 
your favorite scores, don't.  The orchestrated pieces follow their original 
compositions closely and are performed with pure beauty and power by the 
orchestra.  Even better yet, there are piano solos (and some of the same 
synthesizer sounds from the original score) tucked in more than one track from 
Joe Hisaishi.  The result is nothing less than breathtaking.

Some might have their quibbles about this album; I certainly have noticed a
lot of differences in this score, performance wise.  The trumpet fanfare for
Pazu, for example, is no longer trumpet only, but accompanied by a lyre. 
Also, the tearjerking choral hymn for the apocalypse of Laputa starts out
acapella, but then is accompanied by the orchestra.  Also, there were some
tracks I didn't remember from the movie that weren't on the original 
soundtrack, so it was hard to tell what was or wasn't changed.  But it works.

The score was meant to be heard in the English dub, and, in the end, it more 
than accomplishes its goal.

My one real complaint is that it is much too short; 61 minutes long just isn't 
enough for this masterpiece.  After hearing a wonderful arrangement of the 
"Laputa" motif, I was both missing the original version and crying for more!  I 
had my ears glued to the soundtrack as I heard it from start to finish, but 
then, it just ended.  This kind of teaser, however, is no more apparant a 
drawback than is common in most soundtracks.

Overall, I was more than impressed with this wonderful arrangement of 
Hisaishi's score.  All the recognizable tunes, character themes, and emotions
are in the right place, powered with orchestral glory.  It's so good, in fact, 
that I'm more than DYING to see it in the US.  (Come on, Disney! PLEASE bring 
this film over!)  Meanwhile, I suggest you get this soundtrack right away; this 
is a glorious reworking of one of the most beloved scores of all time that 
deserves to be heard.  I sure hope to hear another impressive effort after 
this.  Bravo!

Rating:  *****

-Jon Turner