Search - John Williams :: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

A Final and Astounding Work of Art from John Williams

P. Smith | anonymous | 09/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
As always, John williams brings masterful composing to the Star Wars movie screen. The sweeping and spine-tingling score will leave you breathless and stick with you for years.



It starts out a little slow, but of course all the classic themes are present. The action picks up at track 7 (Dsic 1) The Pit of Carkoon/Sail Barge Assault. The moving track 8 will announce the arrival of the infamous emperor with deep male voices and dark themes, then we are swept back to Degobah for Luke's final meeting with Yoda in slow trumpets proclaiming Yoda's news and final announcement to Luke, finally we meet Obi Wan once again, whose conversation with Luke reveals stunning news with the trumpet theme of Skywalker and the warm, comforting violins. Comical additions such as Jabba's baroque recital and Jedi Rocks close the first disc with a slower pace, almost as if it were intermission.



Disc 2 opens with the playful Parade of Ewoks, a new theme created to portray the cute but deadly inhabitants of Endor, played on flutes, trumpets, and a variety of other instruments. Next we are introduced to the change in Luke and Leia's relationship with a slow flute and violin piece showing how strong their bond has become.



Track 3, Brother and Sister, Father and Son, finds the Skywalker theme as Luke tells Leia a wonderful secret, which transitions into their new theme. The Emperor's throne room conveys the serious danger of our heros in deep male voices and sweeping music. The three battle pieces are, of course, wonderful, but by far the best part is the piece matching when the rebels prepare to charge the Death Star in a great instrumental piece.



Last is the calm after the storm, the two tracks that are by far my favorite from this soundtrack. First is track 9, Leia's News/Light of the Force, in which we begin with a sweet, grand piece with Leia's theme and Luke & Leia's theme mingling in.

Next comes possibly the most moving piece of music created by John Williams as a lone trumpet breaks from the silence, playing the Skywalker theme, and it culminates in a tremendous and shattering climax, which settles back into the trumpet skywalker theme, as if in final send of, as Luke watches the man he had feared, redeemed, finally at peace.



Lastly, except for the extra tracks, we finish with the Ewoke celebration on endor, an amazing and wonderful piece of pure joy and revelation as we close upon our heros, all having found what they were looking for in the end, and see the final gathering of old friends.





Without a doubt, this is a must-have for soundtrack afficionados!"

Best of the Star Wars Scores (all 6 f them)

J. K. Moser | Flemington, New Jersey USA | 05/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"RotJ, is the best of all six of the Star Wars scores on cd. It has all the great themes from the first two movies, but the new themes especially the theme for Luke and Leia make this the ultimate Star Wars soundtrack. The action cues are excellent, especially Into the Trap which combines new music with a fast nostalgic rendition of the Star Wars theme. Williams maturity by this score is incredible. The struggle Luke fights with himself to reject the dark side is played out beautifully. The only problem I have with the score is the Ewok theme, which I don't like on because I don't like the Ewoks, but that does NOT make this score any less of a great score. This is truly the best of the Star Wars scores past and present."

Is it the best?

Kirs Mabitad | Hong Kong | 06/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This soundtrack CD is probably one of the best John Williams has ever had and the best among all the star wars CD soundtracks of the classic ones. The songs are much more fun and lively. John Williams knows how to translate the music so well that it can blend in perfectly with the movie.



The compositions are really magnificent and the dynamics are really great. These are really among the unique ones. Very special indeed.



Some of the great songs are Jedi rocks (The part in the movie where Jabba The Hut is entertained by the new cantina band. The song is very lively and can really make your mood a lot better. Another one is the Victory Celebration (The last part where the death star was destroyed and they went to Endor to Celebrate.) The song really captured the mood of celebration. I loved it.



Kirstie Mabitad"