Critic of the Critics: A review of the Episode II Soundtrack
After a few days of listening to the Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack, and taking some time to absorb everything it has to offer, I have decided that some fans are overly critical and nitpicky. I have yet to read any "official" reviews of the newest edition to Star Wars symphonic collection, but I have read plenty from the fans. All I want to know is: "What's with all the whining going on?!" I am shocked that I have yet to find a truly "brown-nosed" review for this latest soundtrack - usually there are scores of them on the Internet.
One of the most frequent complaints I've read about from fans is the tone of "Across the Stars." Apparently it was too soft for their tastes - and concurrently did not fit in with their conception of what Star Wars music should be. Nevermind the fact that George Lucas has said time and again that this movie is supposed to be a love-story, these fans apparently fancy the idea of falling in love to "The Imperial March" or "Duel of the Fates." Come on, lets be reasonable people - doesn't anybody recall the love theme from The Empire Strikes Back?! Oh yeah… Remember that movie, it had some pretty soft tunes in it too, it wasn't an all "Imperial March" soundtrack.
Another silly complaint I've heard fans gripe about is the use of an electric guitar, particularly in Track 3 ("Zam the Assassin" and "The Chase Through Coruscant"). This is a big reason why classical music soundtracks should probably never be reviewed prior to the movie being released. Doh! I'm sure, given the context of the scenes in which the music was used, that there was a perfectly good reason for John Williams to utilize the electric guitar. If he captures the mood of the scene, then he has done his job, no matter what instrument he chooses to use. Besides, it's actually pretty cool sounding - and gives a real individual flavor to this soundtrack.
Silly complaint #3: "I think he did this to soon after composing the Harry Potter soundtrack, because it sounds the same." I'd hate to break it to you all, but most of Williams' music sounds the same on purpose, but that leads to an entirely different conversation we can all have later. In any case, if you truly listen to the Harry Potter soundtrack, all the way through, and then sit down and listen to the Episode II soundtrack, you will notice a difference. Trust me, the two are not very much alike, and even if they do share a couple of the same musical themes (as they pertain to action sequences), as whole the two soundtracks are completely different.
But enough of the complaints over complaints, let me give you my own opinion of the soundtrack. It rules!!! If you don't have it, get it! (Waving my hand from left to right) You will get it now…. It's filled with some very beautiful, relaxing, and even powerful music. Granted there is not a whole lot that stands out from an initial listening of the soundtrack, but I pretty much found that to be the case with the Episode I soundtrack. Sure, after you've seen the movies a few times you can tell exactly what's being said at a particular point in the music, but who's to say that will be different with Episode II? Again, this is one of those areas where we have to just wait and see what context the music is used in.
One of the coolest elements from the soundtrack is that there is a lot of integration of the old and new music into the music for AOTC. Pieces and parts of "The Imperial March," Luke's theme (actually it's more like the Skywalker theme now I guess), "Duel of the Fates," just to name a few. It's just really cool to listen to this and here the "Imperial March" reprised once again - almost played as though it were a cross between the original version (TESB) and the second version (ROTJ).
Honestly, I'm looking forward to an Ultimate Edition of the Episode II soundtrack - which seems inevitable, considering the fact that this soundtrack has just under 74 minutes of music from what we can expect to be at least a 2 hour long film. Unlike a number of Star Wars fans that I've talk to, I actually really like the concept behind TPM Ultimate Edition Soundtrack - which took all of the music composed and arranged it in the order in which it was played through in the movie.
And yes, I'd be fully willing to buy the soundtrack all over again, but at least the Ultimate editions will provide us with the rest of the music - unlike the 4 separate copies of the current soundtrack edition. What's up with that?! Oddly enough, that's the one complaint that I have not read yet. The fact that they actually expect you to shell out $15 a piece for the same soundtrack just because they have different covers. As added incentive, a sticker on the case warns us all "Collect All Four Covers - While Supplies Last!" Is this really necessary? Apparently so, at least there aren't too many fans saying that it is not.
This all brings me to the conclusion that most Star Wars fans will bitch and moan about almost anything and everything having to do with Star Wars, but when it comes down to brass tacks, their remarks prove to have more bark than bite. The Episode II soundtrack has far more worth than the 4 collector's covers that it comes packaged in. It is an exciting and unique edition to the entire body of Star Wars music - and would be an excellent edition to the music collection of any Star Wars fan.
After a few days of listening to the Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack, and taking some time to absorb everything it has to offer, I have decided that some fans are overly critical and nitpicky. I have yet to read any "official" reviews of the newest edition to Star Wars symphonic collection, but I have read plenty from the fans. All I want to know is: "What's with all the whining going on?!" I am shocked that I have yet to find a truly "brown-nosed" review for this latest soundtrack - usually there are scores of them on the Internet.
Another silly complaint I've heard fans gripe about is the use of an electric guitar, particularly in Track 3 ("Zam the Assassin" and "The Chase Through Coruscant"). This is a big reason why classical music soundtracks should probably never be reviewed prior to the movie being released. Doh! I'm sure, given the context of the scenes in which the music was used, that there was a perfectly good reason for John Williams to utilize the electric guitar. If he captures the mood of the scene, then he has done his job, no matter what instrument he chooses to use. Besides, it's actually pretty cool sounding - and gives a real individual flavor to this soundtrack.
But enough of the complaints over complaints, let me give you my own opinion of the soundtrack. It rules!!! If you don't have it, get it! (Waving my hand from left to right) You will get it now…. It's filled with some very beautiful, relaxing, and even powerful music. Granted there is not a whole lot that stands out from an initial listening of the soundtrack, but I pretty much found that to be the case with the Episode I soundtrack. Sure, after you've seen the movies a few times you can tell exactly what's being said at a particular point in the music, but who's to say that will be different with Episode II? Again, this is one of those areas where we have to just wait and see what context the music is used in.
Honestly, I'm looking forward to an Ultimate Edition of the Episode II soundtrack - which seems inevitable, considering the fact that this soundtrack has just under 74 minutes of music from what we can expect to be at least a 2 hour long film. Unlike a number of Star Wars fans that I've talk to, I actually really like the concept behind TPM Ultimate Edition Soundtrack - which took all of the music composed and arranged it in the order in which it was played through in the movie.
