Which do you think is Williams' best Giant Monster music

[David Coscina 3]

With the buzz about Cloverfield and Giacchino's ROAR being an ode to Akira Ifukube's Gojira, I was thinking more about whether Williams has tackled a kaiju style and these two films were to ones that came to mind. Lost World evokes some Kong type tone but I always thought WotW was Williams' own take on kaiju music. The Intersection Scene with its ominous low brass unison statement did remind me (even when watching the film) of Ifukube at least in tone. Williams modulated more.

What do you guys think?

[indy4 152]

LW's score is far superior, but WotW sounds more like a monster movie. LW is more of a safari/action soundtrack.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

WOTW. LW is good but it is a sequel and I think WOTW is original.

[David Coscina 3]

Yeah, I'm not sure I agree that Lost World is "better". In fact, it's one of Williams weakest offerings of the '90s IMO. THe movie was wretched though so I don't blame him. NOt much to go on. I don't care for the "jungle theme" as it's very block-chord like. WotW is far more dynamic and uncompromising. It's also Williams at his most vicious! Who knew he was a bad-ass?

[indy4 152]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores. It has its moments, though -- The Ferry Scene, Prolouge, and some others are very nice tracks. Still, LW is a brilliant score, IMO. I love the main theme, the action music is superb, e.g. especially in Rescuing Sarah (1:15 of said cue is brilliant!!!), and The Hunt is one of the greatest cues to not be used in a final film.

[Bryant Burnette 451]

I'd go with "The Lost World" in that poll, I guess. Any particular reason "Jurassic Park" was left out?

In my opinion, Williams' best giant monster music is to be found in "The Battle in the Snow" from The Empire Strikes Back. I'm not sure AT-ATs count as giant monsters, but they'll do as far as I'm concerned.

Also, his music for the Land of the Giants pilot episode seems to be in the monster-music genre, although I've never seen it and can't say if there are actually any monsters in it. Some of that music actually reminds me a bit of "The Lost World."

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Any particular reason "Jurassic Park" was left out?

Because it's so deeply liked on this board, it'd have an unfair advantage in the poll.

[King Mark 2,924]

Lost in Space has some amazing monster cues

Battle in the Snow for the AT-AT

Mynoc Cave

Den of the Rankor

Barry's Abduction

Duelling the Basilisk

The Werewolf Scene

The Dementors Converge

Lots of cues in Jaws

Lost World

Jurassic Park

WotW

[Miguel Andrade 964]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

[scissorhands 16]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

[ChuckM 1]

Lost World by FAR!!!

I like it way more than JP, and War of the Worlds is one of the few JW scores that I really don't like very much at all.

[David Coscina 3]

Lost in Space has some amazing monster cues

Battle in the Snow for the AT-AT

Mynoc Cave

Den of the Rankor

Barry's Abduction

Duelling the Basilisk

The Werewolf Scene

The Dementors Converge

Lots of cues in Jaws

Lost World

Jurassic Park

WotW

Good points but I was referring to Giant Monster music- like that of King Kong (i.e. Lost World) or Godzilla (parts of WotW) strictly. I know those other scores quite well and they don't evoke the same "big monster" sense, at least to me.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

Indeed. Thing is, I think that WotW focuses on the emotions, and TLW is so much more action oriented.

Which one do I listen to more? TLW because it generally puts me in a good mood, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's better film music.

[odnurega1 0]

I voted War of the Worlds on this one. It is not my favorite JW listen, but I have listened to it in its entirety a few times before. I like a few of the tracks (quite well actually), but feel that the music is better when listened to in the context of the film, and not the CD release. Having said all that, I too am wondering where Jurassic Park is, and why it was not mentioned in this poll.

[Ollie 859]

Probably War Of The Worlds.

The Lost World is more in line with Steiner's King Kong. WOTW captures more of that 50's giant monster feeling musically.

Jurassic Park has more of an amazing feeling than terror.

[Quintus 5,391]

The Jaws theme of course. Duh.

[indy4 152]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

Nope

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

Um, my opinion. . . Never said it was a fact.

[David Coscina 3]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

Nope

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

Um, my opinion. . . Never said it was a fact.

Isn't it fun when we share?

I don't mind contrary opinions. Everyone likes and dislikes different things. And Indy4 did preface his dislike with "I think".

[Elmo Lewis 6]

I love "Visitor in San Diego". Giant Monster music can't get much better than that.

[Henry B 49]

Yes, The Lost World is a great score. Better than Jurassic Park. War of the Worlds is good, but it's too derivative. The film is also painfully overspotted.

[David Coscina 3]

Yes, The Lost World is a great score. Better than Jurassic Park. War of the Worlds is good, but it's too derivative. The film is also painfully overspotted.

Henry, I'm not sure what you mean by "too derivative". I thought Williams was exploring newer territory sonically with some of the things he did on the action cues for that score.

[Henry B 49]

That's true, but conversely cues like "Epilogue" are practically plagiarized from A.I./Minority Report.

[scissorhands 16]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

Nope

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

Um, my opinion. . . Never said it was a fact.

Isn't it fun when we share?

I don't mind contrary opinions. Everyone likes and dislikes different things. And Indy4 did preface his dislike with "I think".

If only he had added some argument to such statement... There is this wrong idea that everything in music is subjective.

"I think that dogs can fly". "I think that Beethoven's 5th is the worst symphony ever written". So why even bother to reason out, when you just can put "I think" or "in my opinion", and as it's a matter of taste you can't prove me wrong.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

I agree with Peio.

[Neimoidian 13]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

Unfortunatelly I must agree with Indy 4. It's immensly disappointing score, especially given composer's other ventures into modern sound (e.g. Close Encounters or his concertos). Some of the tracks doesn't even work on screen for me, which is extremely rare in the case of JW. Some other scream for originality as they sound like RotS' leftovers (not to mention little originality of RotS itself).

Despite all my criticism, I do enjoy parts of WotW now and again. Moreover, I respect composer's approach, I only find the result surprisingly bland.

As for giant monser music, I thing WotW is better though. Not because it's better than LW, but because it's more like giant monster music for me than LW with its jungle-adventure feel.

[Miguel Andrade 964]

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

You're kidding, right?

Nope

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

And you say that based on what (apart from ignorance of musical language and Williams' earlier scores)?

Um, my opinion. . . Never said it was a fact.

Isn't it fun when we share?

I don't mind contrary opinions. Everyone likes and dislikes different things. And Indy4 did preface his dislike with "I think".

C'mon, you can do better than that...

Indy4 statement is a judgment of the music quality, his own of course, but still. If it was a subjective matter, as in taste, he would have just said, I don't like War of the Worlds.

Instead he says, and I quote:

I think that WotW is one of the (if not the) worst JW scores.

and I'm sorry, but that isn't a taste statement, even if that was what he meant it to be.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I rather like WOTW, although it's not a score I come back to often.

TLW is IMO one of Williams best scores. Dark, manacing, propulsive and proplable the only time that I'm 100% happy with Williams' rhytmic-rather-then-theme-based-action-music.

Back in 1997 it sounded unlike any-Williams score I've ever heard, and it's still fantastic today.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

There is this wrong idea that everything in music is subjective.

Absolutely. It's subjective to a degree. It is also very objective. Objectively War of the Worlds shows excellent technical skill on the part of John Williams and very little in the way of being a score that can provide more substance and innovation other than being a purely functional excercise in dissonant musical writing.

Objectively, it has no heart, no soul, it strikes you with neither tragedy nor terror, but is stuck half-way in between, the product of a man uninspired by his project and going through the numbers with great technical skill but little passion.

[Miguel Andrade 964]

Objectively, it has no heart, no soul, it strikes you with neither tragedy nor terror, but is stuck half-way in between, the product of a man uninspired by his project and going through the numbers with great technical skill but little passion.

Really... for me is quite emotional... but maybe that my subjective response to the music.

[Red 73]

The Lost World.

It is still one of Williams' most un-Williams-like scores (at least at the time).

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

Really? What gets you about it, and where?

Tracks! Times!

[Salacius 7]

The Lost World by veeeeeery far.

Main theme , great, The Hunt, awesome and even some of the action music has some awesome moments.

The War of the World is one of Williams' worst. Ending titles was the best bit in the score together with the second track on the disc + maybe one or two other bits.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I'm gonna go with Lost World, although I don't like either scores that much.

[indy4 152]

I don't mind contrary opinions. Everyone likes and dislikes different things. And Indy4 did preface his dislike with "I think".

Yes, thank you!

If only he had added some argument to such statement... There is this wrong idea that everything in music is subjective.

"I think that dogs can fly". "I think that Beethoven's 5th is the worst symphony ever written". So why even bother to reason out, when you just can put "I think" or "in my opinion", and as it's a matter of taste you can't prove me wrong.

Um, it is a matter of taste, and the fact that I don't like WotW is as true as anything. WotW is a bad score, well, that's not a fact, and therefore is not true or false. If I want to proove something, I'll say "WotW is a terrible score." If I want to state an opionion, I'll say: "I think that WotW is a terrible score" (wait a minute...that is what I said! Cool!)

[Miguel Andrade 964]

If I want to state an opionion, I'll say: "I think that WotW is a terrible score" (wait a minute...that is what I said! Cool!)

If you want to state a subjective, taste based, opinion you'll say "I don't like War of the Worlds".

Otherwise you're presenting an objective judgement.

Please study some Kant, and then talk to me.

[indy4 152]

I'm sorry, but posting an opion does not require one to study Kant. If I want to state an opinion, I'll say: "I think that WotW is a terrible score."

If you want to say "I don't like WotW," then fine by me, go right ahead.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

What...a crock of crap.

Get a life both of you and stop arguing like silly children.

Yeesh the last few posts have been the bottom of the barrel of this forum.

[indy4 152]

You're a silly child!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

I was half expecting either you or Miguel to run to mommy crying because the other one did not agree with your semantics!

P.S. And go study Kant to post on JWFan?

[Trent Hoyt 13]

There is no subjective truth...

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Everything we say about scores is an opinion. There are no facts in film music. Why even have this stupid argument about how to phrase your words to make it clear whether it's opinion or fact?

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

Everything we say about scores is an opinion. There are no facts in film music.

There's a subculture in the film music industry that get aroused by the process and technicalities of writing film music (how you hold the pencil, the type of eraser you use). They get off on it, so if the pencil is held at the perfect 73 degree angle and the eraser is a Pink Pearl, it is immediately assumed that the music written must be heavenly.

Of course, syllogisms are not the way to judge music.

[Music Manifesto 0]

Everything we say about scores is an opinion. There are no facts in film music.

Hans Zimmer is a bad composer. His film music is the devil incarnate. These are facts.

John Williams is a great composer. His music is well constructed. More facts.

I get a h#rd on when I listen to The Desert Chase. Fact.

[Ollie 859]

Well that's the first time I've heard a Williams fan say that.

[John Crichton 4]

Hans Zimmer is a bad composer. His film music is the devil incarnate. These are facts.

OK, no argument there.

John Williams is a great composer. His music is well constructed. More facts.

Still with you.

I get a h#rd on when I listen to The Desert Chase. Fact.

...Oh my.

Well, it's a memorable introduction. Welcome.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

Case in point.

I smell smurf.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Everything we say about scores is an opinion. There are no facts in film music.

Hans Zimmer is a bad composer. His film music is the devil incarnate. These are facts.

That is actually an opinion. Provide me scientific evidence that proves with at least a 95% confidence level that Hans Zimmer is a bad composer and I'll call it a fact.

John Williams is a great composer. His music is well constructed. More facts.

Again, an opinion. You have no proof that he is a great composer.

I get a h#rd on when I listen to The Desert Chase. Fact.

I guess that's a fact, I won't ask for proof on this one.

[John Crichton 4]

Well that's the first time I've heard a Williams fan say that.

Well I think Steef admitted something similar, but he was thinking about RotK.

[Music Manifesto 0]

Everything we say about scores is an opinion. There are no facts in film music.

Hans Zimmer is a bad composer. His film music is the devil incarnate. These are facts.

That is actually an opinion. Provide me scientific evidence that proves with at least a 95% confidence level that Hans Zimmer is a bad composer and I'll call it a fact.

John Williams is a great composer. His music is well constructed. More facts.

Again, an opinion. You have no proof that he is a great composer.

I get a h#rd on when I listen to The Desert Chase. Fact.

I guess that's a fact, I won't ask for proof on this one.

Come on now, if you can't see through the humor in this post I'm gonna' have to post my Williams love elsewhere.

Yes, I know they are opinions - however, good music composition is absolutely definable. You could never call Brahms, Stravinsky or even Williams a bad composer. It's quite easy to call Zimmer a bad composer. Harmonic control, contrapuntal discipline, orchestrational mastery, etc., etc. - all things used to measure the greatness, or lack thereof, of any composer.

[David Coscina 3]

Yes, I know they are opinions - however, good music composition is absolutely definable. You could never call Brahms, Stravinsky or even Williams a bad composer. It's quite easy to call Zimmer a bad composer. Harmonic control, contrapuntal discipline, orchestrational mastery, etc., etc. - all things used to measure the greatness, or lack thereof, of any composer.

You're going to have an uphill battle with some on this forum convincing them that music theory and fundaments/principles of music come into play when ascribing merit to a score. I for one agree with you wholeheartedly though.