Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

There has been a fair share of disappointment in J.J. Abrams' film "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," and John Williams' musical score for it. And "fair" may be the key word in both cases. Actually, both the film and music were better than that, they were just not earth (or universe) shattering. Abrams had his hands full trying to close a trilogy, more or less messed up by "The Last Jedi" (which really was not a bad film either), missing a key star, and with unreal expectations that he would reproduce the initial thrills of "A New Hope" and the "Empire Strikes Back." That was not going to happen! That "Rise of Skywalker" worked at all was an achievement. And Williams produced a score that works very well on the screen (the main purpose), and on a soundtrack that one appreciates more and more with each time you listen to it (especially the last six tracks). He pretty much worked around existing themes in interesting ways. There was no reason for new grand themes, they were and are there and just needed to be worked into a new and concluding fabric, which the maestro succeeded in doing quite well. All that said what a trip from 1977, and what joy the films and music have imparted to us. Along with Charles Gerhardt and George Korngold, he virtually resurrected the orchestral film score. Williams especially should be applauded for a musical achievement that included no less than nine "Star Wars" film scores (and collaboration on two others, "Rogue One" and "Solo" with Michael Giacchino and John Powell), amazing, just amazing. And every score offered something worthwhile and special, even his coda. The simplicity of the final cues takes us back to the first time we heard Alfred Newman's 20th Century Fox logo followed by Williams Star Wars main theme. No, you will never recreate that, but good is good. And it must be noted that Abrams and Williams created their own iconic moment and finishing touch with Rey and BB8 walking into the double sunset to end the epic film and musical journey (or began a new one) just where it had begun. Nicely produced and adequately packaged by Walt Disney Records and Lucasfilm. Some additional comments as afterthoughts. Having listened to all of the scores nominated for Academy Awards this year, William's score for "Rise of Skywalker" actually deserves another word of praise. There were good scores, and some highly original work, but nothing quite like "Skywalker." Other scores had their moments and served the films they were composed for adequately, but nothing as consistent, lyrical and rich as Williams work. The very thought that he is retiring will in many ways end an era that he helped create, one where the orchestral score ruled. It will be a pity, indeed.

Beautiful, uplifting, soaring farewell music for the Skywalker saga's swan song! John Williams is up there with the greatest composers of ALL TIME. We are living in a golden era of music of all genres, from the 1950's to today and I am privileged to have seen (and heard) it. Maestro Williams is untouchable in his consistency and musical talent, as well as his ability to touch the heart. He has certainly touched mine for many years. "Music hath charms to soothe a savage beast." The world could use more beautiful music....and only if they would listen....

It is fortunate that John Williams was able to compose and conduct the score for the final installment of the nine-part Skywalker saga, completing a musical endeavor that he first undertook for the original 1977 film, now known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. As a result, the nine soundtracks stand together as an epic, self-contained body of work spanning 42 years. Williams perhaps may be the only film composer who has made music for that many movies in a franchise, all of them focusing on a core group or family of characters, as well as several Star Wars video games. The only other Hollywood composer who comes close is the late Jerry Goldsmith, who scored five Star Trek movies and wrote the main theme for three Star Trek television series. Incidentally, Williams is also one of only two major creative talents to be involved in all nine episodes of the Skywalker saga, the other being Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3PO in every one of the main movies (as well as a cameo in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and other guest spots). Just as Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker is an entertaining and enjoyable wrap-up of a nine-part storyline, its soundtrack is just as fitting a musical coda for the entire saga, with a lot of welcome callbacks to iconic themes from the original trilogy. For example, because of the resurrected presence of Ian McDiarmid’s legendary, villainous Emperor Palpatine, the Imperial March makes a triumphant return, along with Palpatine’s appropriately dark and sinister throne room motif. Williams has also come up with a new episodic theme, bearing the film’s title, The Rise of Skywalker, that is moving and poignant, with a sense of wistful reflection and a view to a hopeful new future. And for a first (and possibly the last) in a Star Wars score, the opening arrangement of the main title theme, along with the fanfare, appears near the conclusion of the end credits, perhaps signifying the final curtain call, at least for the beloved original trilogy characters. In what is most likely his final Star Wars soundtrack, John Williams offers up one of the series’ best musical entries, right up there with A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens.

I gave this score a generous 4 stars, not because I can find fault with the music itself. But the fact is, like it or not, this recording is basically a fine coda to the previous eight Star Wars movies. You've already heard nearly 99% of it all before. Indeed, the last truly original Star Wars score was, in my opinion, "Revenge of the Sith". Yet to expect an original score or many new original themes as a capstone to eight predecessors spanning some 42 years is a near impossibility even for the great John Williams. Just the thought of doing another Star Wars score must have seemed both daunting as well as challenging to the maestro. One must always bear in mind how many other varied and phenomenal scores Williams has created during these past many decades. He certainly may be considered, arguably, the greatest of all film composers though I personally despise such titles. It's like comparing oranges to bananas, etc., etc. Rather, I would consider it a tie between some 8-10 composers going back to and including the "Golden Age" of film music. That being said, I lopped off one star for lack of originality. But that's not Williams' fault. He was given a Herculean task and is still to be commended. Listening to this score brings on a reflective joy. It has the comfort of an old pair of shoes that, despite their age, retain a certain luster. It's like visiting the original home you grew up in from the perspective of old age. Or, better yet, it's like the aging of fine wine. The way Williams was able to bring into play familiar themes and make them energetically work again is to be applauded. When the theme for the Emperor Palpatine emerged, it momentarily took me back to the original Death Star throne room. The familiar yet ageless Darth Vader march, the grand opening theme, the sudden closing of the film whose music shifted instantly into that of the Closing Credits all fed a timeless chord (pardon the pun) as the Star Wars saga finally reached its inevitable conclusion. One should be thankful that Williams was able to live this long to write his Finis. The same cannot be said for all too many great composers who died too young or left work unfinished. A final thought: Imagine if Beethoven had been asked to do a Tenth Symphony and was told that it was a must in order to add a necessary completeness for his previous Nine. Think of the following as well: Williams may be expected to do another "Indiana Jones" movie score.

Say what you may about the 9 movie Star Wars saga as good or mediocre cinema, no one can deny that the movies would never have had the impact they did without the brilliant soundtrack scoring of the great John Williams. This CD will take its rightful place in my collection with the other 8. In my opinion, this is the best and most cohesive set of soundtracks you can get - especially when you consider that they were composed over a period of 42 years! Buy this one to complete your set - you won't be disappointed.

John Williams final score is truly one of his best. Which is hard to say considering I personally love all his body of work. He manages to weave every single theme from all of the films with a new twist to them yet still familiar. Absolutely brilliant and awesome at the same time. The score is an incredible addition to the whole Skywalker Saga. To just sit and listen and enjoy the soundtrack is a delight. Thank you John Williams for all the great memories.

I purchased the 2-LP version of The Rise of Skywalker. The music itself is fantastic! The quality of the records is very good as well. There was one "pop" throughout, but the rest played without any pops or skips. I know this is what you would expect from vinyl, but it isn't always the case. I purchased the vinyl version of The Last Jedi (not through Amazon), and it literally had more than 40 skips throughout. I returned it twice, and all three copies I received that at least that many skips. In fact, I think the skips were in the exact same locations on all three indicating that there may have been a problem with that particular pressing. I posted a tactful but honest review - praising the music content, but noting the skipping issues - of this on that website and the company - again, not Amazon - refused to post it. Thanks to Amazon for allowing critical reviews to be posted so that customers can make informed decisions!

The name John Williams should be synonomous with Star Wars. Without John Williams, I have to wonder if there ever would have been a second movie, The Empire Strikes Back, let alone eight more movies from TESB to The Rise of Skywalker. This score contains many very familiar themes and introduces new material, weaving them together into another majestic symphony. Fans will easily recognize musical themes from The Empire Strikes Back in The Rise of Skywalker, most notably the Imperial March but also much of the same piece that accompanies Yoda raising Luke's X-Wing when Luke finally accomplishes this same feat 30 years later. There are other callbacks to Return of the Jedi with the creepy theme music for Sheev Palpatine, i.e., the Emperor. Sadly, this will be John Williams' last work for this long-time franchise. I was just glad to get to hear his work one time more.