After the excellent original Space and Beyond comes the sequel (everything does these days, I think it's the law). This has more emphasis on new items and cheesy 50's sci-fi flicks, so it's apt that it starts with Mars Attacks which is a spoof cheesy 50's sci-fi flick that is also relatively new. The rendition you get here is somewhat altered from the original score version and according to the liner notes is the rendition that Elfman originally produced, but was somewhat altered on the scoring stage. I am quite pleased it was as the original rendition doesn't really bring out Elfman's groovy Martian ditty (Prokofiev on acid as one FSM reviewer described it; very well!) quite enough. Also, there are more silly synth noises that don't enhance the music all that much, indeed they detract from it at certain points as they overwhelm the main theme. It's a shame actually, as it might dissuade people from getting the original score, which is a lot of fun. A real cheesy 50's sci-fi film follows with Bernard Herrmann's superb music to The Day the Earth Stood Still, of all the scores in this category, this stands out as being hugely better than the others. The performance in this case is particularly good. The two selections by Leith Stevens (who, I have to admit, I've not heard of) seem like archetypal B-movie music and I don't really much care for them, indeed I think Danny Elfman emulated the style while producing infinitely superior music with Mars Attacks! The same goes for the Thing From Another World, which isn't really my cup of tea at all. However, they are all well performed and probably hard to get in their original form.
No sci-fi compilation is complete without at least something from Star Wars, and in this case is a percussive and beefy rendition of the Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back, although the sound is impressive, the playing is not technically very proficient in places. A selection from at least one or two Star Trek Incarnations is another prerequisite it seems and so three selections from two of the movies and one of the TV shows is included. The Klingon Battle from Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a nice effort and while doesn't improve on the original, does improve on the rendition on Symphonic Star Trek. The deep twanging noise that Goldsmith used to enhance the V'ger music is created synthetically rather than the bizarre instrument that was used originally, which is a shame as that's really the only thing that lets is down. Compared to the original, this has rather more reverb and so makes the thunderous V'ger horn chords sound even more threatening. The End Credits from Star Trek: First Contact aren't really all that good. The sound on this seemed particularly harsh in places, also, the change to the First Contact theme from the Motion Picture theme is somewhat harsh and the performance of the two themes themselves isn't all that great, with the First Contact theme being somewhat overbearing compared to the more restrained original performance. One Last Visit can actually be found on the 30th Anniversary Star Trek Television music CD and compared to the warm original, this one, again, seems a tad harshly recorded.
The newer selections include two from Starship Troopers, the first choice, Bugs! not being one I would have picked, the second one being Klandathu Drop which is a first rate track. Both are performed well. Silvestri's gentle end titles to Contact are given the required sensitive reading, although the fact that they are so understated means that they clash slightly with the other selections and break the mood somewhat. David Arnold gets a good showing as tracks from both of his epic sci-fi scores to Stargate and Independence Day are included. The former joins two tracks together to produce a good suite that incorporates some of the more mystical elements as well as the epic Lawrence of a Arabia style main theme. The latter is just the end credits from the film and while it's not bad, the same complaint of the overbearing choir near the end applies as it does to the original. I much preferred the synth choir used in the background as was used in The Big Picture. Other space selections include the opening and end titles to Horner's oft-requested score to Battle Beyond the Stars. Wisely avoiding any of the actual underscore, this highlights the composer's most significant contribution to the score of the bouncy main theme (much of the rest of the score sounding suspiciously like Goldsmith's Klingon Battle from Star Trek: The Motion Picture....). The main theme from Silvestri's Predator certainly sounds like the obvious predecessor to Williams' Lost World music and is perfectly percussive and exciting. Suites from The Twilight Zone and Dune both showcase some impressive music, although the former is available as a similar suite on Goldsmith's Frontiers compilation in a more convincing rendition. Mars, from Holst's Planets suite seems in character music wise if not in terms of the theme of the album, but is given a vigorous performance, even if there are many more technically polished versions available.
Two suites from expensive and failed TV shows are a welcome inclusion. Stu Philip's great music from Battlestar Galactica, while a little naff in places is still good fun and much better than the disastrously lousy show it accompanied. Shirley Walker's Space: Above an Beyond music is much better and showcases the fanfare-like main title, although it doesn't seem to take off at the same pace as the original version. However, for me this works as an advantage as the original was far too short. The rest of the music seems to comprise of quiet, music and culminating in some average space action music.
Overall, this isn't as good as the original. The performances aren't as technically polished and the sound can be unbearably harsh at times. It may be that you need Dolby Pro-Logic to appreciate the sound quality, but on my stereo, it does come out just a little bit ear-bleed inducing on occasion. The choices may appeal to those with a slightly fonder opinion of 50's sci-fi, but for me I would rather some more of the newer stuff, although it may be more redundant.
Rating ~ 
Disc One ~ Total Time: 75:16
Disc Two ~ Total Time: 74:40