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Episode VII: The Force Awakens - Discussion * SPOILER THREAD * — Page 208

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SilverWook said:

Still captured at the time.

Interesting. I’ll pay more attention to that now on my 2nd time around.

“This will begin to make things right.” Lor San Tekka

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towne32 said:

hydrospanner said:

Was anyone else disappointed by the film’s score? None of the music really grabbed me like it did in the previous films.

I thought it was solid enough and better than the average movie score, certainly. The use of old themes was noticeable and appropriate. But nothing struck me as a new classic as was developed for SW77 (and, hell, even TPM and Clones had some incredible new pieces). On the other hand, I’m admittedly not someone who pays much attention to soundtracks. I only bothered to learn (many of) whose theme is whose in the SW films earlier this year.

It was hard to grasp on to the film’s score while watching it, but I chalk that mainly up to there being so much new (music and other stuff) that it was a lot to take in.

I’ve since listened to the soundtrack in its entirety a couple times, and it is fantastic. There’s nothing bombastic or “epic” like in the prequels, and nothing that’s immediately unforgettable, which is I think why people are mixed on the score so far, but I think once people start to orient themselves with it, everyone’ll appreciate it.

It’s really great and very swashbuckling, more so than even the original Star Wars score ever was (check out “Scherzo for X-Wings” if you want to hear the main theme as if it were in an Errol Flynn picture). I honestly wasn’t expecting that but it works very well and makes the film a lot of fun.

One thing that I’m mixed on was the fact that they used “Burning Homestead” when Rey grabs the lightsaber. Not sure if I’m okay with it because why did they feel the need to use a 38 year old piece instead of a new one and because I recognized it immediately and found it a little distracting. On the other hand, it was epic as f and made me pretty emotional, honestly. So I probably don’t mind it.

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This is really getting annoying now 😦 Why does that keep happening?

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Harmy said:

This is really getting annoying now 😦 Why does that keep happening?

If you’re talking about the Markdown demo getting posted and reposted, then yeah, I have no clue why Jay hasn’t fixed this yet, as he’s definitely aware of the bug. I guess it’s more complex than just having a regex check on submission…?

If you’re talking about your smiley not rendering properly in Firefox 43,

No smiley

well, I think that’s a new one, heh.

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

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DominicCobb said:

towne32 said:

hydrospanner said:

Was anyone else disappointed by the film’s score? None of the music really grabbed me like it did in the previous films.

I thought it was solid enough and better than the average movie score, certainly. The use of old themes was noticeable and appropriate. But nothing struck me as a new classic as was developed for SW77 (and, hell, even TPM and Clones had some incredible new pieces). On the other hand, I’m admittedly not someone who pays much attention to soundtracks. I only bothered to learn (many of) whose theme is whose in the SW films earlier this year.

It was hard to grasp on to the film’s score while watching it, but I chalk that mainly up to there being so much new (music and other stuff) that it was a lot to take in.

I’ve since listened to the soundtrack in its entirety a couple times, and it is fantastic. There’s nothing bombastic or “epic” like in the prequels, and nothing that’s immediately unforgettable, which is I think why people are mixed on the score so far, but I think once people start to orient themselves with it, everyone’ll appreciate it.

It’s really great and very swashbuckling, more so than even the original Star Wars score ever was (check out “Scherzo for X-Wings” if you want to hear the main theme as if it were in an Errol Flynn picture). I honestly wasn’t expecting that but it works very well and makes the film a lot of fun.

One thing that I’m mixed on was the fact that they used “Burning Homestead” when Rey grabs the lightsaber. Not sure if I’m okay with it because why did they feel the need to use a 38 year old piece instead of a new one and because I recognized it immediately and found it a little distracting. On the other hand, it was epic as f and made me pretty emotional, honestly. So I probably don’t mind it.

I concur with all of this, now that I’ve been listening to the CD. The new themes weren’t terribly memorable - even Attack of the Clones had ‘Across the Stars’ - which was very disappointing in the theater, but they’re still fairly enjoyable when given a listen later (of course I preordered the soundtrack). Some things were out of place - like the needless retreads of old themes and cues in places that don’t make sense, which is something they had Williams do in Revenge of the Sith, too (with the music from Duel with the Dark Lord). This is usually a bad idea even if what’s happening has a direct parallel - goes beyond just ‘rhyming’ as GL would put it. (Using part of the Binary Sunset rendition of the Force Theme in the finale was an acceptable instance of this though.) Anyway, overall - the swashbuckling nature of the thing is pretty great. I especially liked ‘March of the Resistance’ and the last three tracks, as one unit. As Rey’s character becomes more compelling, her theme, which sounds like it came out of the Great Hall music for Harry Potter, may yet come into its own as well.

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

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‘The Jedi Steps and Finale’ might also be the first time since the original movies that the end credits track isn’t just an excuse for dumping in the extended concert suite versions of the themes without doing something interesting or original with them, so that’s much appreciated too.

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

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Yep^. The “Jedi Steps” portion is FANTASTIC by the way and probably my favorite part of the whole score.

In terms of the new themes, I’m digging them all, but especially Rey’s theme (“The Scavenger” is a standout track).

How does everyone feel about the new version of the main title? It’s got quite a different feel to it. I wish I knew how to describe music better, because I can pinpoint it but I can’t put it into words. It took me a little off guard when the film started, but I think I like it as sort of a new version for this new generation in the franchise’s history.

Really the whole score as a whole feels like a whole new take. I’m glad that Williams is doing something new here and not simply treading old ground/cutting pasting like in the AOTC and ROTS (save “Burning Homestead”). I think I’ll appreciate the score much more on second viewing, now that I’m familiar with it.

I am curious, on repeat viewing, to find out what was recorded that didn’t make it onto the soundtrack (off the top of my head there was the hint of the “Imperial March” when we saw Vader’s helmet that as far as I know is not on the CD, also the cantina music and probably other stuff). Wonder if there’ll be an ultimate edition like TPM or if we’ll be stuck with the standard release like the other two prequels. Don’t know why they don’t just put out the standard release and then a double album with everything.

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DominicCobb said:

How does everyone feel about the new version of the main title? It’s got quite a different feel to it. I wish I knew how to describe music better, because I can pinpoint it but I can’t put it into words. It took me a little off guard when the film started, but I think I like it as sort of a new version for this new generation in the franchise’s history.

I noticed that too immediately. Not sure what to think about it, either.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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Just got back from seeing it a second time. I felt like I enjoyed it as much as the first.

“The Jedi Steps” is really the best thing on the soundtrack, IMO. Seeing Luke this 2nd time around gave me goosebumps – again! And I knew it was coming (of course). Overall John Williams score is a little mediocre but it serves the film well when it needs to.

Something I noticed this second time, it probably means nothing. The camera lingers on Rey for a few more moments than one would expect when Han is first acknowledging the force and that is real. There is a lone close-up of just her and it’s like she’s processing it. FWIW, I’m now thoroughly convinced Rey is Luke’s daughter. And that perhaps she was exposed to all of this before she was dropped on Jakku. But, like most children, they only remember things after a certain age.

Also, something to remember…just because Rey was with Luke before being dropped off doesn’t mean she ever knew he was LUKE SKYWALKER, the Jedi Knight.

“This will begin to make things right.” Lor San Tekka

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LexX said:

DominicCobb said:

How does everyone feel about the new version of the main title? It’s got quite a different feel to it. I wish I knew how to describe music better, because I can pinpoint it but I can’t put it into words. It took me a little off guard when the film started, but I think I like it as sort of a new version for this new generation in the franchise’s history.

I noticed that too immediately. Not sure what to think about it, either.

It depends what version of the film you saw. The main title sounded really weird when i saw it fist in the IMAX3D showing. Almost sounded synthesised and completely lacking. It was really jarring. When i got home i immediately put the soundtrack CD on and it sounded completely different. Went to see the Real3D D-Box version the next day and it sounded like the soundtrack CD version. There was definitely something not right with the whole Imax audio. Almost as if the whole mix was wrong.

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So, to further support what I said about me not paying attention to soundtracks: Can anyone explain what you’re talking about regarding the title?

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I noticed it too. It’s kind of off-sounding, but it’s not awful. It’s more varied than the I,II,III arrangements. I think it’s the brass. It sounds too clean, too even.

My favorite version is still Take 18 from the Star Wars Anthology. That extra note at the beginning adds a lot. Wish more versions had it.

I’m just here because I’m driving tonight.

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adywan said:

LexX said:

DominicCobb said:

How does everyone feel about the new version of the main title? It’s got quite a different feel to it. I wish I knew how to describe music better, because I can pinpoint it but I can’t put it into words. It took me a little off guard when the film started, but I think I like it as sort of a new version for this new generation in the franchise’s history.

I noticed that too immediately. Not sure what to think about it, either.

It depends what version of the film you saw. The main title sounded really weird when i saw it fist in the IMAX3D showing. Almost sounded synthesised and completely lacking. It was really jarring. When i got home i immediately put the soundtrack CD on and it sounded completely different. Went to see the Real3D D-Box version the next day and it sounded like the soundtrack CD version. There was definitely something not right with the whole Imax audio. Almost as if the whole mix was wrong.

Haven’t seen it in IMAX but the version I saw sounded the same as the CD, and it’s a bit different than the main title for the other films.

Tack is right, it’s the brass. It sounds cleaner and maybe brighter? If that makes any sense. I wonder if it’s in a different key. I wouldn’t know this sort of thing.

Anyone not sure what the difference is just listen to any of the other main titles and then the one from TFA. It’s noticeable.

The finale’s different to, there’s this killer flute part to it (which might have always been there but is certainly more noticeable here) and I think it’s cut down a bit.

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hydrospanner said:

TK428 said:

So here’s my question since we aren’t 100% sure if Rey is Luke’s daughter.

a) Rey is the daughter of Luke Skywalker.
b) Rey is the daughter of Leia & Han and we weren’t told yet.
c) Rey is the offspring of someone else.

I am leaning towards A or C being the most likely. She spent half the movie with Han so if B were the case he either didn’t know it was his daughter he had found or for some reason kept it concealed. Han and Leia talk about their son quite a bit, with no mention of a daughter.

In the flashback they showed her being left on Jakku as a very small child… so this would have presumably been before Kylo turned to the dark side and killed all the Jedi, so she likely wouldn’t have been hidden from Kylo unless they are brother and sister but end up not being twins and she is in fact several years younger.

I think A is probably the most likely… why is she drawn towards a lightsaber that based on what we know now has only been used by people with the Skywalker name. With her being the one to find Luke after he has vanished for so long it sure seems they are setting it up that way.

Also recall Kylo looks into her mind and sees an island. Some rationale in Luke leaving her on a desert planet, to keep her safe, the same kind of planet he grew up on. Although I question the care she was left in.

The blue elephant in the room.

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If there are multiple sound mixes for the movie, some here are going to go crazy trying to document them! 😉

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Mrebo said:

hydrospanner said:

TK428 said:

So here’s my question since we aren’t 100% sure if Rey is Luke’s daughter.

a) Rey is the daughter of Luke Skywalker.
b) Rey is the daughter of Leia & Han and we weren’t told yet.
c) Rey is the offspring of someone else.

I am leaning towards A or C being the most likely. She spent half the movie with Han so if B were the case he either didn’t know it was his daughter he had found or for some reason kept it concealed. Han and Leia talk about their son quite a bit, with no mention of a daughter.

In the flashback they showed her being left on Jakku as a very small child… so this would have presumably been before Kylo turned to the dark side and killed all the Jedi, so she likely wouldn’t have been hidden from Kylo unless they are brother and sister but end up not being twins and she is in fact several years younger.

I think A is probably the most likely… why is she drawn towards a lightsaber that based on what we know now has only been used by people with the Skywalker name. With her being the one to find Luke after he has vanished for so long it sure seems they are setting it up that way.

Also recall Kylo looks into her mind and sees an island. Some rationale in Luke leaving her on a desert planet, to keep her safe, the same kind of planet he grew up on. Although I question the care she was left in.

I’ve been wondering about that. The person who was supposed to look after her could have died over the years though. (Scavenging old space ship hulks is a dangerous profession.) Could Max Von Sydow’s character been keeping an eye on her at a distance?

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SilverWook said:

Mrebo said:

hydrospanner said:

TK428 said:

So here’s my question since we aren’t 100% sure if Rey is Luke’s daughter.

a) Rey is the daughter of Luke Skywalker.
b) Rey is the daughter of Leia & Han and we weren’t told yet.
c) Rey is the offspring of someone else.

I am leaning towards A or C being the most likely. She spent half the movie with Han so if B were the case he either didn’t know it was his daughter he had found or for some reason kept it concealed. Han and Leia talk about their son quite a bit, with no mention of a daughter.

In the flashback they showed her being left on Jakku as a very small child… so this would have presumably been before Kylo turned to the dark side and killed all the Jedi, so she likely wouldn’t have been hidden from Kylo unless they are brother and sister but end up not being twins and she is in fact several years younger.

I think A is probably the most likely… why is she drawn towards a lightsaber that based on what we know now has only been used by people with the Skywalker name. With her being the one to find Luke after he has vanished for so long it sure seems they are setting it up that way.

Also recall Kylo looks into her mind and sees an island. Some rationale in Luke leaving her on a desert planet, to keep her safe, the same kind of planet he grew up on. Although I question the care she was left in.

I’ve been wondering about that. The person who was supposed to look after her could have died over the years though. (Scavenging old space ship hulks is a dangerous profession.) Could Max Von Sydow’s character been keeping an eye on her at a distance?

That would help explain why he was in the movie, and also why he was in possession of the map.

The blue elephant in the room.

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Anyone else catch the Bespin corridor shot during Rey’s vision?

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hydrospanner said:

Anyone else catch the Bespin corridor shot during Rey’s vision?

No. There was a ton of stuff from that sequence that I would like to rewatch.

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hydrospanner said:

Anyone else catch the Bespin corridor shot during Rey’s vision?

Are you sure? I don’t remember that. I guess I’ll have to keep an eye our for that while re-watching it.
Can you describe it?

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hydrospanner said:

Anyone else catch the Bespin corridor shot during Rey’s vision?

I noticed. Half expected her to go through all the original trilogy. Thank god she didn’t, or else it would be one of my few complaints. I think they choose that moment because it represented one of Luke’s darkest and/or scariest moments, which is what the rest of that scene seemed to me to be.

I guess that scene of Ren with the bodies was the rest of the pupils that he slaughtered. At least that’s how I took it.

I’m just here because I’m driving tonight.

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hydrospanner said:

Anyone else catch the Bespin corridor shot during Rey’s vision?

That was the only part I recognized. Nice touch.

I thought I saw a Padawan from ROTS getting killed too.

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I enjoyed the film quite a bit. I really loved the new characters. I was not expecting it. Finally a female jedi, and not just someone in the background who looks good with a saber. I liked all the characters, which is something that was dry in the prequels.

John Williams’ score was top notch. There’s not a lot of the “oh I remember that scene” from it, but I haven’t been listening to this soundtrack my whole life. You can definitely hear more of his 90s stylings in the score. It’s got a lot of the celesta in random parts, but I agree with Williams, it’s a beautiful sounding instrument, and doesn’t detract.

It’s a treat to see an action/adventure film with a score that isn’t all drums and orchestral hits.

I would’ve liked to have gotten a little more Max Von Sydow, as he was one of the casting choices I was most excited about.

Gwendoline Christie as Phasma was another great one. I have a feeling she will be more a thorn in the resistance’s side come next picture.

I’m still a little high off that ride to make a good enough judgement. I will say, I was ready to watch it again when it was over.

"The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won’t last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you’ll be able to project it on a 20’ by 40’ screen with perfect quality. I think it’s the director’s prerogative, not the studio’s to go back and reinvent a movie." - George Lucas

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I definitely noticed the Bespin corridor, it was the first thing you saw when she touched the saber. The rest? I have no idea what was going on. I’ve read that there are actually bits of dialogue in it from Obi-wan, Yoda, and even Padme? Wonder if that’s true. Will definitely have to pay more attention next time.