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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Whatever your opinion of Lucas' films' cash-hoovering marketing tactics, there's little doubt that this "Ultimate Edition" of John Wiliams' fourth foray into that galaxy far, far away will be of certain interest to both rapacious Star Wars fans and aficionados of Williams' exquisite styling. A formidable two-disc set, with 68 tracks in chronological order over two hours, this score, like the film itself, lacks the iconic freshness of A New Hope (the first Star Wars film) and is hindered by forgivable self-plagiarism. However, it's undoubtedly an accomplished, enjoyable work, with Williams showcasing his strengths with impressive ease, and therefore, easily worthy of the Star Wars brand. This is especially true with this meatier version, where Williams' new themes mingle comfortably and effectively with the first trilogy's classic motifs such as the Main Title fanfare and the Force theme. His renowned technique for leitmotif gets a wonderfully subtle example with the string-driven "Anakin's Theme" (End Credits) in which the sweepingly innocent chorus is given a forbidding coda with the briefest snatch of the "Imperial Theme" from The Empire Strikes Back. With its Wagnerian chorus, courtesy of a 180-strong choir chanting Sanskrit, "Duel of the Fates" remains the score's high-point, giving the film's climactic lightsabre duels the apocalyptic urgency they deserve. Elsewhere, Williams imbues "The Flag Parade" with some Ben Hur bombast, while "Escape From Naboo" is thrilling, adrenalised fare. Ending with a fun, dialogue version of "Duel of The Fates", this is an impressive and exhaustive collection, confirming that Williams' lush, vivid themes define Lucas' universe as much as the special effects. --Danny Graydon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A welcome entry from John Williams,
By A Customer
This review is from: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Ultimate Edition (Audio CD)
As an avid Star Wars fan I was most eager to see the new Star Wars movie and even more excited to listen to the soundtrack. When it was first released however I have to say I was slightly disappointed with the content and arrangement of the score and felt it one of John Williams weaker scores. However, my opinion has now been pleasantly changed with the release of this superb Ultimate edition. not only does it contain every track from the movie but they are arranged individually so that you can skip directly to a particular song you like. With the added material the score really shines and although I don' rank it as my favourite score by Mr. Williams it is definitely in his top 5. I haven't stopped listening since I bought it a week ago !! As for the musical content it is very pacy interspersed with some of the loveliest melodies I have ever heard on a soundtrack album. Track 26 on CD 1 and Track 1 on CD rank among the best but the little sub-tunes which were used for backing are also most welcome. If I have one criticism it is a lack of liner notes but that is of small concern when you consider the sheer bulk of fine music here. I would recommend it to a fan of John Williams and to any collector of fine classical music. First rate
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate John Williams Experience,
By Calvin Scholtz (Cape Town, South Africa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Ultimate Edition (Audio CD)
I think the question that everyone's asking here is: "which do I buy? The traditional soundtrack release, or this very tempting `Ultimate Edition'?" I had already bought the original before discovering that there was a double-disc release, too, so I am in the position of having both and being able to examine the differences between them.
The original 1-disc version is amazing: by now, every fan of Williams' "Star Wars" music should know about the choral masterpiece `Duel of the Fates', and the subtle but emotional `Anakin's Theme'. What they don't know about is `The Arrival on Coruscant', `The Droid Battle', `The Chosen One' and `The Queen's Protectors'. But, to fully appreciate the world that John Williams has created, I think it's essential to hear the score in its entirety. That's why I bought this set even though I had the earlier version already: it's so rare these days to be able to hear the complete score to a film, and in some cases you don't want to, but Williams is just such a genius. He takes one through such a variety of sounds, emotions and experiences: from the tense failed negotiations on the Federation ship to the brief but brutal battle with the destroyer droids. From Jar Jar's clumsy, plodding theme and the ethereal otherworld of the Gungans' underwater city, to the militaristic, march-like invasion of Naboo. I'll admit, some of the local music on Tatooine is a bit repetitive and superfluous at times, but I suppose it's meant to be primitive: `Cantina Band' and `Jedi Rocks' is, after all, the peak of that society's musical development! Sprinklings of `Anakin's Theme' are introduced as Anakin appears and starts planning to enter the pod-race. The build-up to the pod-race is good, but it's a pity that the wonderful fanfare of `The Flag Parade' is so much shorter on this CD (Williams' whole composition is on the 1-disc edition). After Anakin wins the pod-race, we are treated to some triumphant music, followed by his emotional and life-changing separation from his mother. `Anakin is Free' includes a tender woodwind section that speaks to the dilemma of a young boy wanting to achieve great things, but having to give up his family and home to do it. As we all know, the galaxy will never be the same because of it, and so his decision is punctuated by a grand, stirring rendition of the `Star Wars' theme. Worthy of mention is that Qui-Gon also has a theme, completely absent from the original soundtrack, but noticeable in several places on this set. Another excellent device here is the Emperor's Theme, which haunts the edges of the music, giving the impression of a real `Phantom Menace' lurking in the background, waiting to strike. Again, the music accompanying all of the political back-and-forth is quite dull, with a few exceptions, however it's well worth it when the final battle begins, and we are treated to several variations on the `Duel of the Fates'. `The Tide Turns' is, in my opinion, the best track on this 2-CD set and almost worth the price just by itself. `The Parade' is a weird and wonderful mix of the strange musical style of the Gungans together with children scatting and laughing, harking back to the way in which the original saga ended with the party in the Ewoks' tree houses. My only complaint would be the `running-on' of the tracks, but otherwise a brilliant set!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding,
This review is from: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Ultimate Edition (Audio CD)
Outstanding, regardless of what you think about the movie. There is no way to take in all the nuances in all the cues from just watching the movie, and in comparison to a package like this, the original sountrack release sounds horribly butchered. There is not a single emotion that Williams failes to capture or convey, all in the span of a single film (which is not to mention the range exemplified in his entire works). It is perhaps telling that listening to a complete soundtrack like this is infinitely preferable to actually watching the film, but then none of those Lucas/Spielberg films would work without the richness added to the characters or contexts by the music. Why there is not an edition like this for every major Lucas or Spielberg release is baffling and eminently frustrating, as it's not a stretch to imagine that some of this music is timeless and will be appreciated many generations hence. Williams is, in short, one of the greatest composers of all time; I prefer to think of the movies as vehicles for his music rather than the other way round. Would that a full release of the other two prequels were forthcoming, and treasure of all impossible treasures to acquire, a complete edition of all the Indiana Jones movies (ala the 6CD SW boxset some years back). As always, hats off to the great John Williams.
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