Across The Stars and Hook

The Across the Stars Theme (used at times throughout the film) sounds a lot like the running theme tune used in 'Hook'. Was this intentional of John Williams? I saw some of Hook today and it does indeed sound almost exactly the same.


GK edit: Clarifying title.

 

Yeah, I've noticed that too. I doubt it was intentional though.
When you're as prolific as John Williams I think you're bound to
inadvertantly have simular sounding themes over the years.

 

just wondering, but did u see hook on boomerang?


i also thought what u guys think. well he's bound to do something twice, isnt he?

 

It's similar, but not exactly the same. It's also been suggested that it's a variation on Luke's theme.

If James Horner can literally reuse themes (4-note evil motif, anyone?) in countless films he scores and still get Oscars, then Williams should be allowed a little self-imitation himself.

 

Yeah- I was walking by my sister's room the other day, and I heard a familliar but of music...

"End Credits for Star Trek II?" I asked.

"Nope. Titanic pulling out of the harbor." She replied.

There are only so many combinations of possible notes- if JW is re-using some, then he should probably get some slack- after all, that would put the score at, what? Williams 1, Horner 347? (Which is not to say that I don't still like Horner's work, mind you...)

 

I thought that they sounded the same, and ripped on ATS a lot, but now that I've listened to the Hook score recently, I really can't find the comparison anymore.

 

How about Williams useing the same music from Attack of the Clones in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secerts!

 

Actually, we have an old thread that deals more generally with Williams "confusing his works". Feel free to post there and keep this one specificaly about ATS and Hook.

 

the first few times I heard Anakin's Dark Deeds I always found myself humming something from Potter. Not anymore, though.

Same with ATS/Hook. I know exactly which theme, but when I hear either one, I never remember.

 

I'm sure you guys have noticed, but Williams goes through phases. AOTC and Harry Potter sound similar because they came out at the same time. Much like ROTJ and the Indiana Jones films have the same forms of instrumentation and sound very similar at times.

I always thought of Harry Potter (and I had only heard the main theme at the time!) when I listened to the beginning of Grievous Speaks to Palpatine.