Edmilson 7,265 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Two of the most beloved scores by JW for fantasy movies, now pitted against each other. What score do you personally consider is the best? The nautical adventures of Hook? Or the magic in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone? Vote now! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 hmm,that's a hard one Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Harry Potter in the end bollemanneke and Will 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmartigan JC 85 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 As wonderful as HP is, I must say Hook. Such masterful orchestration and the sheer variety of extraordinary themes. I love the ballet-like quality of the score. It always makes me dream of what could have been, if the original project for a Peter Pan musical had become a reality. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will 2,215 Posted June 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 8, 2020 They're both utter masterpieces, but I have to go with Potter. That score really moves me emotionally -- albeit perhaps in large part because the film is near and dear to my heart. Just such wonderful marriage of music and picture (at least to those who like the movie): Bellosh, Cerebral Cortex, bollemanneke and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellosh 3,317 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Harry Potter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1977 1,743 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Most definitely Hook. HP1 is my least favourite JW Potter score. I struggle to get through the OST let alone the C&C. If I had them on vinyl, HP2 would be wearing through and 3 would be close behind. HP1 would be mint @Edmilson could you please allow us to see who voted for which score? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,385 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 HOOK all the way. No competition. If you had chosen AZKABAN instead of PHILOSOPHER, it would have been a closer race, but still HOOK in the end. It's one of my favourite JW scores of all time. I was 24 when the first Potter film came out, so I have no nostalgic connection to these things - unlike most of you young whippersnappers. They are fine scores (esp. 3), but not something that will feature in my top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,382 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Harry Potter - it has more serious parts and is not all that sugary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Penna 3,617 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Potter, no contest at all. Hook has some wonderful moments, but I find the whole score just too much. Potter has much more meaning to me. Docteur Qui 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rick 1,152 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Where's the option for Sorcerer's Stone? It was a tough choice, but I had to go with Hook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,467 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Tough call. But I'd say stronger main theme for Harry Potter gives it a slightly edge in being a more cohesive score. But of course Hook is also an outstanding score and both are great Williams classic masterpieces. 11 hours ago, Will said: They're both utter masterpieces, but I have to go with Potter. That score really moves me emotionally -- albeit perhaps in large part because the film is near and dear to my heart. Just such wonderful marriage of music and picture (at least to those who like the movie): Great call here. I think Harry Potter is definitely helped by being mixed so loudly and prominently in a watchable entertaining film. It's been some time since I saw Hook so I don't quite now how it is featured in the film - whether it is butchered or mixed low - I don't remember. But HP1 must pretty much take the cake as probably the best film Williams score to listen to "in movie". Smeltington and Will 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Both scores in toto are a chock-full too much (and humping up and down the legs of older scores), but Potter is careful to balance the syrup with more sophisticated dramatic writing that Hook lacks. But it ain't so easy when you just choose single cues instead of the whole thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimwilson 244 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Has to be Hook for me. That film landed right in my formative years. The first film I remember deliberately going back to the cinema to see again, (go easy..... I was a kid) and I played that original album to death. Whilst potter is undoubtedly a fantastic score, I suppose my connection to it just doesn't run quite so deep. A little unfair perhaps if we're just going off the music, but I can't ignore those big Hook feels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theMaestraX 106 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 I both like them equally I guess! It feels like a parallel tie a feeling of the force I sense! But HOOK has those themes! Snuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 18 minutes ago, publicist said: and humping up and down the legs of older scores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,385 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 1 hour ago, bigjimwilson said: Has to be Hook for me. That film landed right in my formative years. The first film I remember deliberately going back to the cinema to see again, (go easy..... I was a kid) and I played that original album to death. Whilst potter is undoubtedly a fantastic score, I suppose my connection to it just doesn't run quite so deep. A little unfair perhaps if we're just going off the music, but I can't ignore those big Hook feels! Good to hear someone my own age feeling the same way! I often feel very 'fatherly' around these parts. bigjimwilson and Madmartigan JC 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hook has the best highlights, but also the worst eh... lowlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,265 Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 11 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: Hook has the best highlights, but also the worst eh... lowlights. Come on, Banning Back Home is pretty good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hehe... what about those stupid songs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,265 Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 I'm not a fan of the songs. And I can't listen to When You're All Alone without remembering Giacchino's Tomorrowland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 I'm not taking the bait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstrox 6,612 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hook, I don't care much for the first Potter score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hook HP is second tier Williams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 16 hours ago, Madmartigan JC said: It always makes me dream of what could have been, if the original project for a Peter Pan musical had become a reality. Since the obvious musical traces are the worst parts of the score, I think we were lucky that it got turned into a film instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Harry Potter. It's actually Tier 1, not Hook. Fabulin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,265 Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 For nostalgia reasons, I voted for HP. I watched Philosopher's Stone on theaters when I was 8 and then countless other times on DVD, meanwhile I've never seen Hook until this day. Both scores are amazing, but I find HP to be the richer score. Will and eitam 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Why is there a checkbox next to 50 members have voted? I want to uncheck that.. Mods, give me privileges to uncheck that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holko 9,400 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 1 hour ago, SteveMc said: HP is second tier Williams. Not in the universe we live in by any stretch of the imagination! Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitam 362 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Hard choice. Hook has such a wealth of great material and terrific orchestrations, but Harry Potter has the best main theme, and I prefer the intensity of the Quidditch match to the swashbuckling of the Ultimate War. Farewell Neverland is one of the most beautiful thing JW has ever written, but overall I have more emotionnal connection to Potter, which was the first soundtrack I consciously listened to, and my first contact with Williams (there must be a club of us!). So let's go with.Potter on this one. On a related note, I rewatched Harry Potter 8 last week, and while it left me cold 9 years ago, the nostalgia factor is working better now, and I was not immune to the use of Leaving Hogwarts during the epilogue... Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 I distinctly recall watching HP1, hearing the score for the first time that it reminded me of Hook (and Home Alone). Ultimately, they're similar enough with a lot of the same Tchaikovsky tropes and mushy sentimentality on steroids. HP leans decidedly more toward a "British" kind of sound and Hook blends fairy tale with seafaring pirate stuff and Korngoldian derring do. I prefer it because of that. The battle scenes at the end are ace. SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,610 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 I voted Hook. The OST version of the Ultimate War sealed the deal between me and Williams during my teenage years. I'm old. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 I'm old too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted June 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 9, 2020 Neither is really all that good. Just a load of unrealistic and unrelatable orchestral music to accentuate action and emotion really. But I chose Hook because I love Julia Roberts as she's a great rolemodel for young girls in films like Erin Brockovich and Pretty Woman. Gruesome Son of a Bitch, Martinland and Kasey Kockroach 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 3 hours ago, Holko said: Not in the universe we live in by any stretch of the imagination! Imagine broader! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montre 79 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Potter by a long shot for me. It just contains a bit of everything I love about Williams writing. There’s not a dull moment in the score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 16 minutes ago, Montre said: There’s not a dull moment in the score. Tell that to people back in 2001! Gruesome Son of a Bitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 We're obviously witnessing a generational shift. All these Millennial Gen Z kids that grew up obsessed with HP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montre 79 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 1 minute ago, PuhgreÞiviÞm said: Tell that to people back in 2001! I know, I’ve seen the reviews from that time. Different tastes I guess. It has aged very well though in my opinion. I forgot about it for a while even, and upon revisiting it a couple of years ago my appreciation has only grown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 4 minutes ago, Gruesome Son of a Bitch said: We're obviously witnessing a generational shift. All these Millennial Gen Z kids that grew up obsessed with HP. Now they hate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 It doesn't even have a creator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Holko 9,400 Posted June 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 9, 2020 HP1 is as top tier as you get, an iconic masterpiece that got a new generation to get hooked on JW. I love how at first it's single-minded and ramps up Hedwig. I love how then the motivic approach and soundscape opens up with the world opening up. I love how then it kinda focuses on Nimbus until that really culminates and the heart is injected with the Friends theme now appearing. I love how after you may think it's showed you everything it has to offer with QUidditch Match and Christmas Morning, it pulls a sneaky on ya and just casually drops Invisibility Cloak, Filch's Fond Remembrance, Dark Forest, and The Stone. Then onto further creative setpieces until the great final culminations. Williams clearly loved the concept, and clearly was completely inspired by it and loved doing it, just look at all the extra goodies on the LLL Disc 3 like the Children's Suite, and him scoring the trailers and commercials and doing little bits like Hedwig for Harp and Hogwarts Forever Vocal so that they may or may not get used but he'll have fun with it anyways. Calling it tier 2 is just foolish. And that's with me trying my hardest not to count that it's basically in my DNA. I love the Hook Suite on S/W II (only thing that album's good for, but boy is it good for it) and will probably really like a hopefully soon upcoming proper complete release but as for my personal preference as of right now, there's no competition. Montre, MaxTheHouseelf, Fabulin and 5 others 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 5 hours ago, SteveMc said: Imagine broader! He could have imagined more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crlbrg 381 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 I love both, but I grew up with the music of JW in HP, so I'm obviously biased towards it! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,385 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 5 hours ago, Gruesome Son of a Bitch said: We're obviously witnessing a generational shift. All these Millennial Gen Z kids that grew up obsessed with HP. Indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,382 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 15 hours ago, publicist said: Potter is careful to balance the syrup with more sophisticated dramatic writing that Hook lacks. When you have the complete score (Children's Suite included) and cut it down at the right spots, you can get an almost two hour listening experience with just a minimal amount of syrup. Basically, cutting down the pre-Hogwarts-arrival-stuff is almost it. My appreciation of the score really grew as soon as I was done with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 I don't see what's wrong with syrup, but Hook is still preferrable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Potter is a more refined work, with more idiomatic depth than the all-out cutesy Disney excesses of Hook. Still, i wouldn't want to lose cues like Farewell Neverland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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