I’ve only seen RO once, but from what I recall the music in it was a bit distracting. It even felt a bit desperate at times, such as when our heroes escape the rain planet. It just builds and builds and builds and the composer is clearly wishing the scene would end so he can stop writing triumphant Star Wars music. Other moments were quite nice though, and I may develop an appreciation for it later, but perhaps 3 weeks isn’t enough time for more than a musical rough draft.

The music for TFA, on the other hand, feels very sure of itself. It doesn’t intrude on the experience or draw attention to itself for much of the film like RO does, and has a sophistication that I’ve grown to like, despite not being impressed on the first viewing. One part in particular, the destruction of Starkiller Base, struck me as especially impressive. I tried to replicate the theme by ear on the piano, and found that it took more hands than the typical 2 to complete merely the melody. The fact that Williams was able to divide the simple Force melody in three blew my mind. Williams is just showing off with these new movies, and being very subtle about it.