Star Wars Soundtracks (Spoilers)

[Neroon]

A group of us went to see TFA again yesterday, and in the post viewing discussion the subject of the score came up again. Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy those callouts to the original trilogy score. The new material, which didn't quite stand out so vividly really did sound as if Williams took a step outside what he'd created before. Maybe not quite so much brass as earlier, but still very much Star Wars feel to it. I will say that the score over the closing credits, underlined one small criticism I have had of Williams' work over the years. He has a tendency to repeat himself, in more than just a thematic way. For example, I definitely heard passages from his Harry Potter works, although I can't be specific having only heard it a couple of times

 

[shapeshifter]

I cannot remember much of the new material. I was too engaged on the film with my eyes to pay much attention to the new stuff, but I like to think that was intended.

Expertly done, it should blend invisibly in, become part of what your looking at and I gotta say, I think Williams did a brilliant job of that.

Now that said, listening to the above posted clips and judging them on their own merits, separate from the film - I like them. Though unfamiliar overall, they all sound like they belong in Star Wars.

 

[Tom]

Many things reminded me of the Indy movies, and that's not a bad thing. I like the score over all, no real signature pieces, but a good soundtrack none the less.

 

[Praetorian]

Am I the only one who got some major Jerry Goldsmith vibes from the Jakku Action Scenes? (Some people in Youtube's comments also picked up on that).

As a major Goldsmith fan, I was happy to hear something that reminded me of his work.

Regarding the score in general, it did seem less bombastic and thematic than the previous, but listening to it on its own has elevated my appreciation of it.

 

[EnsignRicky]

For some reason Disney is streaming the film score on their website:

http://waltdisneystudiosawards.com/#/star-wars/music

The music cues are definitely different than those released on the commercial soundtrack.

 

[Tom]

I just hope that John Williams can score episodes 8 and 9. He is in his 80's after all. I appreciate any else we can get from him while he is still able.

 

[shapeshifter]

Am I the only one who got some major Jerry Goldsmith vibes from the Jakku Action Scenes? (Some people in Youtube's comments also picked up on that).

As a major Goldsmith fan, I was happy to hear something that reminded me of his work.

Regarding the score in general, it did seem less bombastic and thematic than the previous, but listening to it on its own has elevated my appreciation of it.

[EM] I forgot to mention this above - yes, I noticed that at the roll credits - the theme seemed much more subdued than I know that particular theater sound system is capable of producing.

I thought maybe the system volume had suddenly been turned down, but you mentioning it make me wonder if there was something unusual (from the norm) about the score itself...

For some reason Disney is streaming the film score on their website:

http://waltdisneystudiosawards.com/#/star-wars/music

The music cues are definitely different than those released on the commercial soundtrack.

Thank you.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

For some reason Disney is streaming the film score on their website:

http://waltdisneystudiosawards.com/#/star-wars/music

The music cues are definitely different than those released on the commercial soundtrack.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! It definitely has some different cues, added material (and missing material) from the OST.

After some digging, I discovered that they're most likely streaming the "For Your Consideration" album for the various upcoming award ceremonies:

01 - The Attack on the Jakku Village, Part 1 (5:27)
02 - The Attack on the Jakku Village, Part 2 (1:53)
03 - The Scavenger (1:52)
04 - Lunchtime (1:12)
05 - I Can Fly Anything (4:09)
06 - Finn's Trek (1:35)
07 - Follow Me and The Falcon (7:10)
08 - The Rathtars (1:19)
09 - Snoke (2:07)
10 - You Got A Name? (1:32)
11 - I'm No Hero (1:06)
12 - The Starkiller (1:52)
13 - Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle (2:15)
14 - The Resistance (1:35)
15 - The Abduction (1:35)
16 - Finn and Poe, United (2:01)
17 - The Bombing Run (2:07)
18 - On the Inside (2:54)
19 - Torn Apart (4:24)
20 - The Ways of the Force (3:58)
21 - The Journey Home (2:18)
22 - Farewell and The Trip (3:49)
23 - The Jedi Steps and Finale (9:58)

 

[Ithekro]

One thing to remember is that the Force theme is basically the Skywalker theme.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Actually, the Force Theme was originally labeled as Ben Kenobi's Theme on early editions of the Star Wars score.

 

[Kor]

For some reason Disney is streaming the film score on their website:

http://waltdisneystudiosawards.com/#/star-wars/music

The music cues are definitely different than those released on the commercial soundtrack.

Undoubtedly there will soon be an extra special two-CD version of the soundtrack, which comes in more fancy packaging and costs way more than the regular one, and includes those cues and compositions that weren't on the first soundtrack release.

Kor

 

[Greylock Crescent]

And, undoubtedly, I'd buy that one, too.

 

[EnsignRicky]

One thing to remember is that the Force theme is basically the Skywalker theme.

Originally, I believe the main title was meant to represent Luke's theme; But it has long since become the anthem of the entire saga And franchise as well for that matter.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

One thing to remember is that the Force theme is basically the Skywalker theme.

Originally, I believe the main title was meant to represent Luke's theme;

EDIT:

Apologies, you're referring to the Main Title ... which is different from the Force Theme.

 

[Ithekro]

I liked this film's finale better than the Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones finale. While those have nice use of themes in the film, they don't end very well. The only thing the Phantom Menace end had going for it was the touches of Vader's Theme inside Anakin's Theme and in the theater, the breathing at the very end. The Attack of the Clones theme just didn't do much for me at the end. Revenge of the Sith went back to basics and gave us the old themes again at the end to tie into A New Hope, which worked for me.

The Force Awakens finale works for me.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Yeah, the TFA finale is solid. I really like how it presents all of the major themes of the film.

I think I read somewhere that the TPM finale was heavily edited, which would explain why it sort of stumbles toward that wonderfully understated rendition of Vader's theme. To be fair, though, there were parts of the AOTC finale I genuinely liked - especially all of its variations of the Across the Stars theme (there's even a final, dying hint of Anakin's Theme tucked into it as well as another subtle Imperial March statement).

 

[EnsignRicky]

One thing to remember is that the Force theme is basically the Skywalker theme.

Originally, I believe the main title was meant to represent Luke's theme;

EDIT:

Apologies, you're referring to the Main Title ... which is different from the Force Theme.

Yes, the Main Title that starts each movie was originally Luke's Theme. The Force Theme was definitely originally Ben's.

 

[Ithekro]

The Force theme may have been Ben's, but it keeps being used with the Skywalkers. The first time I think we hear it is the Binary Sunset which is clearly about Luke. We've not even encountered Old Ben in the story yet. In fact the last time we heard it prior to The Force Awakens in film was the repeat of the Binary Sunset scene with Owen and Baru holding Luke in that some spot...as not so Old Ben slips out to await for A New Hope.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

The Force theme may have been Ben's, but it keeps being used with the Skywalkers. The first time I think we hear it is the Binary Sunset which is clearly about Luke. We've not even encountered Old Ben in the story yet. In fact the last time we heard it prior to The Force Awakens in film was the repeat of the Binary Sunset scene with Owen and Baru holding Luke in that some spot...as not so Old Ben slips out to await for A New Hope.

We also hear it (as a militant march) in the opening sequence accompanying Anakin and Obi-Wan as they fly through the battle. It crops up much more often, and in many different ways, than simply with respect to Luke. And, again, it was originally referred to as Ben's Theme.

 

[Ithekro]

The theme keeps being used for the Skywalkers more so than Kenobi, but that is because we see Skywalkers a lot in these trilogies. I wonder if that was a change even thought it was at first Ben's Theme.


I keep repeating "Follow Me and The Falcon".