Michael Giacchino's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - 2022 Expanded Edition now available

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

"Alternate", not "alternative".

[KK 3,307]

5 hours ago, BloodBoal said:

The similarity is only superficial.

 

"Rogue One" is probably the closest to MOH in that regard.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

10 minutes ago, Will said:

Maybe I should actually go read Filmtracks. I don't really visit boards other than JWFan, but it might be nice to hear an alternative perspective on this score.

 

If that's the way you feel about, that's the way you feel about it. Is that the way you feel about it..?

[Incanus 5,715]

9 minutes ago, Will said:

Maybe I should actually go read Filmtracks. I don't really visit boards other than JWFan, but it might be nice to hear an alternative perspective on this score.

We only fawn over John Williams scores here. J-O-H-N W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S. Got it?! Giacchino is poison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Gia's quotations of The Imperial March were pretty awful imo. The Force Theme fared little better.

[KK 3,307]

15 minutes ago, Will said:

Maybe I should actually go read Filmtracks. I don't really visit boards other than JWFan, but it might be nice to hear an alternative perspective on this score.

 

It's actually a good place for film music fans to start off. They're generally quite welcoming and supportive, so it helps for a general survey of the film music world and what's out there. But if you want more nuanced discussion and a more diverse range, JWFan's the place to stay.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

Like it or not, Inky, Gia is going to be around when JW's gone the way of the dodo.

[KK 3,307]

1 minute ago, Stefancos said:

Gia's quotations of The Imperial March were pretty awful imo. The Force Theme fared little better.

 

They all sound rather shoehorned. But I think that first statement of the Force theme on the album is the worst of the bunch.

 

The Jyn and Hope Suite is nice actually, and then its followed by the hokey Imperial Suite. The Guardians suite had a promising start before it strayed off into excess.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You've listened to the score release?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

2 minutes ago, KK said:

 

It's actually a good place for film music fans to begin. They're generally quite welcoming and supportive, so it helps for a general survey of the film music world and what's out there. But if you want more nuanced discussion and a more diverse range, JWFan's the place to stay.

 

"Do", " awful", "poison". That's nuanced, and diverse, is it?

[KK 3,307]

Everything I've wrote is based on the album. Won't be seeing the film till later tonight.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

You wait 'till later, 'till later, tonight.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

2 minutes ago, KK said:

Everything I've wrote is based on the album. Won't be seeing the film till later tonight.

 

Based on the film I doubt i'll be playing the album....ever.

[KK 3,307]

4 minutes ago, Richard said:

 

"Do", " awful", "poison". That's nuanced, and diverse, is it?

 

Clearly a joke!

 

Another thing JWFan has over Filmtracks, a sense of humour

 

But seriously, even for those who weren't fans of the score here, you're seeing intelligent/in-depth justification for why it didn't work for them (with the occasional dry snab).

 

The beauty of this place is that we're not all on the same page. It makes for far more fruitful discussion.

[Will 2,215]

I read through the Filmtracks thread. It actually wasn't too positive, IMO. Maybe a little more positivity then here, but there's plenty of criticism or "it's okay." 

 

Two interesting things:

 

1) I was reminded of how TFA wasn't so well received at first listen by some. I'd be interested to know how those here reacted (I can't remember many specific reactions). 

 

2) I was reminded of the role of "Giacchino's scoring SW!" bias in positive reactions, i. e. amazement simply because we have a new score, maybe Gia will really hit it out of the park, etc. This probably played a role in my reaction. 

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

Yes, we're all individual! 

[KK 3,307]

1 minute ago, Richard said:

Yes, we're all individual! 

 

Everyone except Steef...and maybe BB. You can never tell, with spambots.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Says the guy who's indistinguishable from Incanus!

[KK 3,307]

I am Gandalf the White, and he's the Grey. Pretty different, if you ask me!

[Naïve Old Fart 9,528]

4 minutes ago, Stefancos said:

Says the guy who's indistinguishable from Incanus!

 

That's not fair! KK doesn't have a hat.

[KK 3,307]

And that! ^

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

2 minutes ago, KK said:

I am Gandalf the White, and he's the Grey. Pretty different, if you ask me!

 

You are NOT white!

[KK 3,307]

How would you know??

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

We're Facebook friends! I know what yoy look like.

[KK 3,307]

That's not me! Everything on there is a lie!

 

Though you may have accidentally stumbled upon my real name that one time...

[Jilal 569]

I assume I'm the only one who loves the punchy, dry recording an sich?

[Docteur Qui 1,544]

Welp, this has been one of the most hateful circle-jerk threads I've ever seen on this board, and I've been here for about 13 years. I'm out of here till this blows over.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

On 12/15/2016 at 4:22 PM, Jay said:

 

20 The Imperial Suite 2:30

 

Is this a joke?  This is basically a pastiche of The Imperial March... like what someone would write if they were working on a project and asked to emulate the Imperial March because they weren't allowed to directly quote it.  This is a seriously weak theme, it sounds like a parody and not a true villain theme in a serious movie.  You have to wonder: Why not simply use the Imperial March in the scenes that use this theme?  Why is a third Imperial theme even necessary?  Extremely disappointed by this.

 

 

I actually noticed that in the film. Distracting!

[Loert 2,511]

But if you forget about the Empire, the Imperials or the Imperial March etc...it's a pretty good tune on its own, right?!  

 

 

I particularly like the parts with the "shivering" woodwind, such as from 0:17 and 2:00.

[KK 3,307]

Can't tell if you're joking Ioert, but I like the winds there too. The rest of the piece, I can do without.

[Loert 2,511]

No, I'm not joking. I just wonder if people have more of a problem with it based on its context in the film/subject matter rather than with the quality of the music itself. Fair enough if you dislike it, though. I don't think it's brilliant but I enjoy listening to it. 

[Jilal 569]

2 minutes ago, loert said:

No, I'm not joking. I just wonder if people have more of a problem with it based on its context in the film/subject matter rather than with the quality of the music itself. Fair enough if you dislike it, though. I don't think it's brilliant but I enjoy listening to it. 

 

Exactly my thoughts.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

1 hour ago, KK said:

I am Gandalf the White, and he's the Grey. Pretty different, if you ask me!

 

Well then who is TGP?

4 minutes ago, loert said:

I don't think it's brilliant but I enjoy listening to it. 

 

That's where I'm coming to.  I really dislike it in the film, but it's fine on album.  Not something I'll be returning to.  I certainly won't be listening to it hundreds of times in one year like I did with TFA!

[KK 3,307]

Fair enough. As music itself, I find it grating on its own, but I've never been a fan of Gia's "villain themes" (which are usually inferior variations of familiar Williams triads anyway). I also find the theme's attempts at bridging into Williams' Imperial March awkward at best.

 

But I think it's the half-baked motif on 1:07 that I find particularly amateur-ish.

 

Haven't heard the thing in film though naturally.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Oops, this is what I get for hurriedly scanning through a thread, I thought @loert was speaking about the album generally.   By far, the new Imperial material is the worst part of the score.

[Loert 2,511]

 

I think the last three cues are the worst part, but I admit that style of music isn't to my taste anyway.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

It's obviously impossible, but I am curious what this score would sound like if Giacchino had had more time (i.e., do I find it lacking because he had to use his "first pass" for every cue). 

[Machionic 0]

25 minutes ago, loert said:

I just wonder if people have more of a problem with it based on its context in the film/subject matter rather than with the quality of the music itself.

 

I think, it was like that to me. Yet to hear the score on the album.

 

I'm sure it was noted, but still, while watching the film I had mainly too problems with the score: 1. why are they using new Imperial march? They didn't want to pay Williams a fee or something? Otherwise it didn't make much sense to me. 2. Yeah, Jyn's theme was distractedly similar to something recently heard...

 

 

 

[KK 3,307]

45 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Well then who is TGP?

 

An imposter! He was the last of us to don the avatar!

[Jay 37,364]

I still don't get why he wanted to change his screen name - TheGreyPilgrim was a GREAT screen name

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I mean, a 2001 reference isn't bad.  But it's not as catchy as TheGreyPilgrim.

[mrbellamy 6,287]

So I don't have much to add on this that hasn't already been discussed to death, but I will reiterate a bunch of things that have already been said.

 

I thought the music was fine. I'm with you loert, I quite like that new Imperial theme. On a dramatic level it doesn't really convey much gravitas and it did take me out of the film at times and make it feel like a knock-off. One shot in particular, that big one of all the TIE Fighters flying out, I thought that actually did call for Williams. That was one of those moments where I agree (I think Jay said this) that the visuals were telling me it's Star Wars and the music wasn't. But it's a fun tune!

 

Not a fan of Jyn or Chirrut's themes, honestly, and I don't think they were that well-utilized either. Just don't think they really told much of a story or carried much meaning, and I could hear Giacchino straining to imitate Williams at times with those in kind of haphazard ways. There was one bit in Eadu where it showed Jyn and her theme played, then Chirrut and his theme, then back to Jyn and her theme, then Chirrut, and I just thought that felt a little forced, lacked that effortlessness. Reminded me of Sharky's comment awhile back about "rhetoric" vs "syntax". 

 

As far as the Williams quotes go, mostly I thought he did really well, minus a few missteps here and there. That Force theme statement early on, yeah, wtf is that? Rhythmically awkward, and it's funny that KK mentioned "Farewell and the Trip" earlier because that was the counterexample I was going to bring up too. But all the other Force theme statements I actually liked, and the Imperial motif, Imperial March, and Death Star were handled just fine.

 

The "Hope" theme, I think is okay as its own thing, but that title statement...yikes. I get that they were trying to go same but different, but the way I see it, the better decision would have been to go with something that sounded completely different like Jyn's theme, or just bite the bullet and do Luke's theme full stop. Everyone was already humming it anyway and it was sadly hilarious hearing everybody in the audience get all excited and whoo-ing with the first two notes, and then suddenly drop into this weird murmur. Going down the middle and having this cocktease thing that sounds like Luke's theme but isn't, and the title font looking like the Star Wars title but not looking like it, it was like the uncanny valley of Star Wars. Just weird and slightly embarrassing.

 

Thing is, when I heard the theme in that clip of Jyn's speech, I picked up on the Luke's theme similarities and actually appreciated it, but now I'm just not sure in general how successful that was to have something that sounded like the main title but wasn't. Especially because they never really connected. That was my expectation was that he would bring the two together at some point, or relate them to each other...there was a point late in the film where I thought he was going to go into Luke's theme instead. Just the idea of him conditioning us to hear this other "not quite right" theme all the time and then finally building into Luke's. I think that could have been interesting.

 

But you know, these gripes aside, hats off to MG. This was a less than ideal way for him to get his dream project and he gave it his all. You can tell he loves these scores, loves Williams, and as last-minute pastiche goes, he manages to convince well enough and keep the engine running with some entertaining highlights. Would have preferred to hear Desplat get his full swing at it, but what can you do? Thankfully he's got Valerian coming up.

 

And strangely find myself pretty indifferent about wondering what a Williams R1 would have been like. Just glad we've still got him on VIII. For the record, though, he would have destroyed that Jedha escape sequence!

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

I think that the imperial march is not used because since It apears full on esb, giacchino wanted to ackowledge that. I think the general consensus is that Vader in anh is not as high in imperial Commander and after anh he appears 'in ascension' and he is second in command that why the empire and he have the same theme.

 

 

I noticed in this film that krennic and tarkin had the same rank, tarkin gets his moff status after this film. Its probable Vader and tarkin are rivals and krennic is in the middle...favouring Vader It seems.

[Jay 37,364]

But The Imperial March is used... 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

5 minutes ago, Luke Skywalker said:

I think that the imperial march is not used because since It apears full on esb, giacchino wanted to ackowledge that. I think the general consensus is that Vader in anh is not as high in imperial Commander and after anh he appears 'in ascension' and he is second in command that why the empire and he have the same theme.

 

 

I noticed in this film that krennic and tarkin had the same rank, tarkin gets his moff status after this film. Its probable Vader and tarkin are rivals and krennic is in the middle...favouring Vader It seems.

 

1. You really think Anakin isn't the highest ranking Imperial officer after 20 years as Palpatine's Sith apprentice?

 

2. He's Grand Moff Tarkin in Episode IV literally a few in-universe hours after the end of Rogue One. He's gotta be "Moff" in R1 too, right?  That'd be weird if the got promoted in the few hours between when we see him here and on the Death Star in IV.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

The more I think about it, the more I suspect Desplat wussed out of following JW. 

 

This was the job no no one would do as well JW, but that needed to be done. 

 

Kudos to MG for stepping up. He at least protected the Star Wars sound from other alternatives. 

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

2 minutes ago, Jay said:

But The Imperial March is used... 

For Vader only like in the prequels...with the exception of the rescored atoc finales.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

2 minutes ago, Jay said:

But The Imperial March is used... 

 

And use of it at the end of Rogue One was better and more satisfying than any version of it we got in the prequels (excepting the gentle renditions in the end credits of 1 and 2). 

 

The one thing Gia did Trump JW on!

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

3 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

 

1. You really think Anakin isn't the highest ranking Imperial officer after 20 years as Palpatine's Sith apprentice?

 

2. He's Grand Moff Tarkin in Episode IV literally a few in-universe hours after the end of Rogue One. He's gotta be "Moff" in R1 too, right?  That'd be weird if the got promoted in the few hours between when we see him here and on the Death Star in IV.

Its not my theory, i dont really believe that but leía describes Vader as tarkins dog.

 

 

And yes when finally tarkin takes full control of the death star and inthe Grace of the emperor he is promoted...

[Disco Stu 15,495]

1 minute ago, Luke Skywalker said:

Its not my theory, i dont really believe that but leía describes Vader as tarkins dog.

 

 

And yes when finally tarkin takes full control of the death star and inthe Grace of the emperor he is promoted...

 

1. Yeah that line always seemed weird after Revenge of the Sith but who knows, anything can be explained

 

2. Weird!