ST John Williams to Score the Sequel Trilogy

I personally think Williams' work on TFA was utterly brilliant. I know a lot of fans were a bit underwhelmed at first, but IMHO, it's become pretty widely recognized. Rey's theme is brilliant, and when I hear it now, I think Star Wars. Also love the March of the Resistance.

 

Agreed. I also think Poe's theme and Follow Me and the Falcon are superb. And the Jedi Steps is amazing. I really hope they reprise and develop that further in TLJ.

 

I hope Kylo gets an extended theme in TLJ.

Rey's theme is increadible - it starts out balletic, then matures into something sweeping, epic, and outward-looking.

I'm a bit confused about Luke's theme vs the Force theme. Why do we hear the Force theme when Luke appears in TFA, and not his own theme? I'd loved for JW to have composed a "more mature" version of Luke's theme for that moment. Maybe in TLJ?

 

I've been wondering lately what the "thematic layout" of this score will be. So far, I haven't seen any new characters or events that screams "that'll get a new theme". Perhaps there'll be a theme for Rey's training under Luke, a friendship theme for Finn/Rose, a fun little scherzo for the horse chase, a new theme for Snoke, a theme for the Battle of Crait, a theme for the Battle of Ach-To, an extended theme for Kylo, the Knights of Ren's theme, Finn's theme, a theme for DJ's casino, a theme for the crashing Star Destroyer, Poe's new theme, the First Order march, Chewbacca's jig, Admiral Holdo's theme, a "force-back" theme, some kind of waltz, a theme for the sea monster, and the Porgs' theme.

 

Did the TFA score sound too high pitched at times for anyone else or was that just me

 

The first note sounds a bit wee but other than than, the score sounds like the average modern Williams action score in the regard (which tend to feature higher-range trumpet writing).

 

My mind has been blown! I've always loved that little motif that plays in the tie fighter escape scene and Poe killing the tie fighters in Takodana, and it just now hit me that it is Poe's theme! (I know I know, stupid me)

 

I hear John Williams wants to do something different, so it's going to be death metal in the vein of Cannibal Corpse. JW and Mark Hamill will provide the vocals

 

Really????

 

No

 

Damn

 

That doesn't necessarily mean that he won't try anything different. I wouldn't be surprised by some "oddness" in the score especially given the "different" "unexpected" route Rian Johnson seems to be taking.

Or it could be a Home Alone 2/Chamber of Secrets style retread. You never know.

 

As Howard said, a bit strong on the trumpet, but I also felt the timpani was lacking throughout which cuts off the bottom end. As someone who played trombone from 6th grade into college, I knew something was off at my first screening of TFA when the SW theme started. (Yes I'm a bit biased towards the bass/low brass)

 

Inneresting!

Deliberate, you think?

 

Not sure, as the last Williams score I remember hearing was ROTS in 2005 which had plenty of timpani. To my musical ears, Star Wars(the musical stylings) is very brassy with plenty of timpani. Of course, up until 1999 there were not many vocals associated with it, either.

 

IMHO, a definite drop off in quality since 2005ish (although Lincoln was excellent) but I would not have anyone else scoring a Main Saga film.

 

John William's score might be my most excited thing about TLJ..

 

Hope to see Rey's Theme get updated by the end of the movie to signify her maturation

Hope Luke's theme gets an update, too. The Main Theme sounds a bit too youthful for an aging Jedi Master.

 

I can vividly remember sitting in the cinema and going 'ew' when that First Order theme first starts out as the transporters emerge. I guess it was too different for my mind to process! But now, the soundtrack for TFA is my go to for Star Wars music. The 'Throne Room/End Titles' track from ANH is still my overwhelming favourite, but there are so many parts of the TFA soundtrack that I love. The only bit I didn't care for is the Snoke track.

Very much looking forward to JW's work on TLJ and I'm delighted he's stayed on. Although I like the RO music, it falls short at key moments.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0758KSWZK/

 

My body is ready!!

 

Do want!

 

Man, I'm so happy a version of "The Jedi Steps" was incorporated into the latest trailer. Can't wait to see that theme evolve over the course of this film.

 

The trailer seems to support the idea that it's Luke's new theme. I'm liking that.