Jost1

Honestly the muscular brass stuff in this score is some of the best, I keep listening to all the "dark side" material. Lots of deliciously evil fanfares with pounding timpani

Just love this little part of the Catamaran Race from Jaws 2:  1:20 - 2:00.   Honestly Jaws 2 is such a fantastic score.
 
 
I guess I'd be remiss not to mention this too:
 
Gorgeous fanfare and I love the way it resolves.

Just love this little part of the Catamaran Race from Jaws 2:  1:20 - 2:00.   Honestly Jaws 2 is such a fantastic score.
 
 
I guess I'd be remiss not to mention this too:
 
Gorgeous fanfare and I love the way it resolves.

The score to The Force Unleashed has some very good imitations as well, but I can tell it's not QUITE the same:
 
 

Now THIS is racing pods! 

Some fantastic Rey's theme material missing from both album and FYC, when she's training in the woods.
 
Maybe my favorite thing about this score outside of the big thematic stuff is how Kylo's theme transforms as the character transforms. First the heroic version, then the final sad statement as he crawls out of the pit and over to Rey.  Brilliant leitmotif work.

Got 'em. Nice one

What am I, chopped liver? 😂

I work for Big Pencil.

TFA is honestly a perfect start to a new trilogy. I can't find fault with it. 5 stars from me. 
 
Both TLJ and TROS are strong 4 stars

Some great finds in this thread. Well done. For me, I enjoy listening to this guy's orchestrations. The very busy JW-esque orchestrations. I just enjoy any composer that respects all sections of the orchestra and gives them their due time to shine.
 
 

Does anyone else think the French horn theme from the opening of "Journey to Exegol" (0:08) is criminally underutilized/underdeveloped? It shows up basically that one time, and while the orchestral texture continues for another 30 seconds or so, it would have been great for the theme itself to get more of a workout, maybe with a bit of a B section. But man, what I wouldn't give for a concert arrangement of that theme... Easily one of the highlights, for me at least.

Saw the film tonight. The score was incredible in context, as expected. However, I was surprised by just how much music we're apparently missing! It seems like many of what I might even consider "the best parts" didn't end up on either the OST or the FYC. Really too bad. I never felt like I was missing all that much material when watching TFA or TLJ, but with this one it feels like we only got about half the score that is actually used in the film.
 
Also, I think we can now safely say that the "Rise of Skywalker" theme (maybe we should go back to calling it the farewell theme, seeing as how little it seemed to actually be used in the score?) and the trio theme are two distinct thematic identities.
 
 
Bits and pieces are of the cue are in it, but the actual catchy tune we all love is only very briefly heard once, as far as I could hear... Too bad.

Another observation: I LOVE how Kylo Ren's theme is used in this film.

As JW's adventure and fantasy scores go, I find it to be the most colorful and varied he has ever written. It's like a demo reel for what he can with a full orchestra and choir. I love it dearly, one of his best, easily

I think TPM was built around this RotJ quote: “When I first met him, your father was already a great pilot. But I was amazed how strongly the Force was with him. I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi.” It’s just not how anyone really imagined it. Though it is undeniably imaginative.

Well that's just it, isn't it?...that the 'worst' Star Wars end credits is better than 99% of any other end credit suites of other movies.  What a nice problem for JW fans to have.

1. ESB
2. ROTJ
3. TPM
4 ANH
5. TFA
6 AOTC
7. ROTS
8. TROS
9. TLJ
 
That's not to say TLJ or TROS are bad at all, they are both better than 99% of scores being written these days.

I agree there

John Williams > Stan Lee

John Williams > Stan Lee

Yeah, if imitation is an artform, Verta is a bonefide master. Here's another one, and he even has Williams' brother Don on timpani:
 
 

Anthem of Evil is a far more interesting track on the OST than the Imperial Suite. The latter is a pure Imperial March knock-off whereas the former starts is quite different with a moody choir, swirling strings, and a rising, building sensation. To me, Anthem of Evil doesn't even attempt to mimic the Imperial March in terms of how it is presented in the OST aside from the final moments of the Finale rendition that leads directly into the Imperial March. Gia's Imperial Suite is full on parody.

That is one impressive imitation! Bravo, @Loert! Obi-Wan has taught you well.

One of the greatest threads of the year, right here. What a harvest!
 
What I find most interesting, is that the most frequently imitated style presented here is that of the prequels.