Here's the second half of my track by track analysis:
8. "Padme's Ruminations" (3:17): The other track that many people don't like. It starts with quiet synth sounds followed by wailling/moaning by a female vocalists, something akin to the finale from the last movie or Minority Report but not as good. I like the last minute or so when the orchestra joins in and creates some cool eeiry/menacing sounds. Overall, it's much too subdued for me to really sink my teeth into and enjoy. 5/10
9. "Anakin Vs. Obi-Wan" (3:57): Easily one of best tracks on the album. We're treated to samples of the "Battle of the Heroes" theme with interruptions from direct cues from the Empire Strikes Back duel music. (Mainly the Imperial March with a flourish from the Escape from Bespin cue.) It ends with a great use of the Force theme over chorus sounds. A great action cue that's more theme-oriented to keep old school fans happy. My only problem with the track (artistically speaking) is that up to this point, Williams has been very subtle with old themes, and it's a little jarring that all of the sudden there's a track that's blaring the Imperial March. Not that that's really such a bad thing. 9/10
10. "Anakin's Dark Deeds" (4:05): Opening quiet, this track contains more dramatic music backed by chorus while Anakin goes farther towards the dark side. The music is highly energized with its own motif that slowly builds into a grand overture. I'm curious to see how this track (and the next one) plays out in the movie. 7/10
11. "Enter Darth Vader" (4:14): Everyone's probably disappointed with this track because it's not four minutes of the Imperial March, me included, but with further listenings, it's really grown on me. It contains this upbeat march that persists through most of the track with some quiet undertones in-between. This march continues with a very militaristic tone that ends with a few bars of the Imperial March. The music climaxes with the Force theme and an all-too-brief snippet of the Emperor's theme, which is strangely enough its only appearance in the soundtrack. 8/10
12. "The Immolation Scene" (2:42): This is another favorite that grew on me. It begins with a very string-oriented elegy that's simple yet mournful. Horns pick up towards the end to create a very satisfying track. It's way too short though... Oh, well. 9/10
13. "Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious" (2:49): This track is composed mainly of a upbeat fanfare. A chorus comes in at the end of it, and while it produces a good sound, the chorus seemed a little like overkill. The rest of the track seemed to be mainly quiet undertones except for a reinteration of the fanfare theme (or is it Grievous' motif?) and Across the Stars. While cool to listen to, it doesn't really add anything nor is it really that special of a track. 6/10
14. "The Birth of the Twins and Padme's Destiny" (3:37): The beginning of this track sounds very Harry Potterish. It also contains one of the only other thematic links to the other films: the funeral music from the Phantom Menace. (Is that a spoiler?) Anyway, the funeral theme is then repeated. The funeral theme really fits in with the overall emotional content of this score. 8/10
15. "A New Hope and End Credits" (13:06): "A New Hope" is wonderful yet short. It manages to perfectly flow from Leia's theme to Luke's theme and concludes with a full statement of the Force theme. The end credits, on the other hand, is a totally different matter. It's presented as Luke/main title theme, Leia's theme, Battle of the Heroes, Throne Room, variations on the Throne Room, and then back to the main theme. Unfortunately, at around 12 minutes long, the end credits just don't justify wasting that much space on this CD. Leia's theme and Battle of the Heroes are pretty identical to previous concert versions, and many transitions were awkward at best. I would have prefered an edited version with more music from the actually movie. A really disappointment compared to the end credits to Williams' last Potter film. "A New Hope" 10/10, End Credits 5/10 Average: 7.5/10
Next will be my conclusion to this review and final comments.
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