curlytoot

Just saw the movie and decided it's time to reactivate my JWfan contributions after a few years, though i couldn't get into my old TIEfighter account ;-)
 
Now, concerning the movie: I'd give it a 5/10. It's not terrible, but definitely not great either. Weird CG characters, poor pacing (especially at the beginning and the end), less than convincing characters and nonsensical story developments are the main flaws.
 
As for the music: It's not bad, but it is NOWHERE close to even the worst Star Wars score our Johnny has done.
 
And don't get me wrong, I'm primarily a Star Wars fanboy and I'd love to rest easy knowing that our galaxy far, far away will rest in a competent composer's hand once John Williams won't be able to score those movies anymore, but Giacchino isn't the man for the job. I'm 100% sure about that now.
 
His score mostly works and never sticks out inappropriately, except for the emotional moments which sound slightly cheesy and forced (the moments themselves are cheesy to, so there's that). But it just isn't a John Williams score and lacks certain qualities (esp. Memorable themes), and when you know the Star Wars formula by heart, you realize when something's not quite the same.
 
Looking forward to more reviews :-) good to be back here
 

New recording of "For The President's Own" by the US Air Force Band:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FTGQC1K?ie=UTF8&keywords=USAF%20Band%3A%20American%20Voices&qid=1465063872&ref_=sr_1_fkmr2_3&sr=8-3-fkmr2

You know, there's something to be said for not pulling the "I'm a composer" card when criticizing film music.

New clip.
 
 

The string motif at 0:15 is pretty Williams-esque, IMO. This score is sounding better and better with each new clip!

The string motif at 0:15 is pretty Williams-esque, IMO. This score is sounding better and better with each new clip!

Please let me know if there's some other way we can screw up tonight.

I'll give a listen to that part again!

No it launched on all the stores on the same day
 
Still hoping for a 20th Anniversary edition of The Lost World next year!

I like the 'torn apart' like phrases from 4:09-4:15 of 'witching hour.'
 
Also, Every time i get to  1:53 of dream country I swear yoda's theme is about to pop up, especially from 1:55 to 2:01. It almost sounds like harmonization of yoda's theme. 
On a side note, one of my favorite parts of this track is the absolute wonder of 3:42-3:54. It's so magical to me. And i loved being able to see them recording that part in the B-roll footage. 
I'll be seeing this movie again in the next few days, with my dad, who will appreciate the fart jokes much more than my girlfriend. 
I'm going to pay extra attention to the unknown themes mentioned above, dream jars, and also these two other unknown "themes" that i'v personally become interested in. They might just be one offs, or randomly repeated phrases, but i like to think they have meaning. This 5 note motif from Dream Country that is repeated in Sophie and The BFG:
 Sophie and the BFG: 
 
 
 
And also, this oddly warm motif that is heard in Dream Country, Blowing dreams and Building Trust, 
 
Dream Country: [6:38-6:59]
 
Blowing Dreams: [2:45-3:05]
 
Building Trust (This one is a variation, and is less clear): [1:21-1:27]
 

2:51 to 2:59, but ultimately 1:59 to 2:59. 

The way how Williams slowly introduces and builds and builds that downward falling section of notes in the background until they finally get to be alone in the forefront at 2:51 to 2:59, now fully realized, is SO grand. Feels as if you're soaring. 
 
 

Oops.

This spotlight is burned.

Just got back from seeing the film and I've listened 3 times.
 
The orchestrations are so colorful. He packs more colors per bar than most impressionist composers and I'm just amazed.
 
Sophie's theme, In my opinion, is a lullaby, which would follow his typical logic. It is so evident because of its simplicity, repetitive nature and relatively small tessitura. It tries to be pentatonic as most lullaby's, but he gets bored of that harmonically. He also develops it in the film a lot more than the CD if you listen to the order. You don't really get a full theme reveal in major until the end of the first act.
 
This will go down as one of his best orchestrated films yet. The flute writing is incredible (and even better played... Brava!!!) the oboe work is great too. Woodwind writing is just magnificent. I'm so impressed that he was able to get those little unison flute lines to line up for the dreams and move straight on to the next material without dropping the idea. Just wow... Also, they should have kept Big Ben in the CD! 
 
As as for source music, I love the choice. Hail Britrania has hints of his melodic/rhythmic style, so it's not out of place. Bagpipes are snoozers. The real question is this: is that baroque/Renaissance music his? I think it is and wish it were on the CD...
 
The film itself just lagged in places. It threw us into the world really quickly, only to take over an hour fascinating us by said world, and then hurrying as quickly as possible to wrap up the story. It is a great story and a great book, but the script and editorial choices weren't distributed correctly to keep interest.
 
within those long scenes, they jump quickly from topic to topic, and transitions from scene to scene are quick, so John really didn't have time to play much, thus the sad reality that we don't get a big theme moment like ET or Harry Potter. It was quite dialogue heavy as well and didn't rely on as much visual story telling that Williams can throw in a motif.
 
Overall, love the music, not a big fan of the film. I think Williams had read the book, loves it, but knew it had a pacing issue and I can hear him struggling to save it, but not having the silence or opportunity to do it. He was boxed in and did what he could and certainly had a fun time with it regardless. A for effort!
 
Hope it's not the last children's score we get... He is too good at this style!
 
Definitely. Clarinets in A I think for a darker sound. It sounds like Alto flute as well, but maybe unison? Definitely more than one flute, but I can't tell if it's just 2 players with one that has a darker breathy sound or it is a different instrument completely. 
 
There is also a few articulations that make me think there could be a little glock with rubber mallets or maybe even vibes. Something metallic anyway extremely soft.

Really? Skip everything please, skip skip skip
you are
 
 
yeah, with Forest Battle ending

Or maybe John Williams is just trying to do his job, scoring movies as well as possible, not necessarily trying to please KM.

Just looking through the OST booklet now.
 
Nice note from Spielberg:
 

"Fleshlumpeater" reminds me of Horner's CASPER.
 
 
Wow! Good ear! All the same pitches.

Where's the error?

Ok.

 
And The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

"For Gillian" from The Fury.

By that logic, TFA shouldn't have been recorded in London or LA.  But Prague, on a tape recorder.  

"For Gillian" from The Fury.