Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is composer/conductor John Williams' fifth score for the Star Wars saga. As in the previous four soundtracks, Williams melds new musical material with familiar themes and once again comes up with a wonderful symphonic score.
As I listen to the soundtrack from "Attack of the Clones," different scenes from the movie come flashing through my mind. From the "Star Wars Main Title," with its disappearing logo and title crawl to "Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale," this album held me breathlessly captive as I followed Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padme through the many perils and tribulations they go through on their rendezvous with destiny. And just as Lucas' visuals take the viewer from the tall skycrapers of Coruscant to the rolling meadows of Naboo and into the unfriendly arena on Geonosis, Williams' themes help the listener recall these images through the emotional context of the music.
Along with the...Read more

Well, to begin this review I have to say that my expectations on this score were very high. But it didn`t sounded like I had predicted. In fact, it is quite different from it`s predecessor, The Phantom Menace, which was also a wonderfull score full of stunning themes and inspiring cues. This is the darkest and most serious Star Wars score so far,and it`s also more in style to the original trilogy than "The Phantom Menace". As George Lucas says, this is an interesting film,because it explores all new territories and elements in the Star Wars Saga, and that can be heard in the music too.
This score isn`t as thematic as the other SW scores, but in fact, I just find that relaxing because it makes the music less predictable.
Here is a track-by track analysis with ratings for each track : (Note!This analysis may contain mild spoilers, but I`ve tried not revealing too much).

1)Main Title & Ambush On Coruscant (3:45) : Main Title is the same as always and no Star Wars score...Read more

As a Star Wars soundtrack goes, this one is probably the least Star Wars-y. Track 2 which contains the "Love Theme" is a lovely bit of music. Track 3 "Zam the Assassin and The Chase Through Coruscant" reminds me more of some of Jerry Goldsmith's work in the original "Planet of the Apes" and "Total Recall". It's dissonant, fast, lots of percussion, and at times thinly orchestrated. The electric guitar heard twice in the cue only adds to the excitement. Track 7 "Jango's Escape" is more in keeping with what one expects from a Star Wars film action cue. Track 8 "The Meadow Picnic" is probably the best cue on the CD. Lovely, haunting, and somewhat chilling.

To sum up, this music is typical John Williams but it's going to disappoint those who love the loud, full orchestra orchestrations heard in the other movies because there isn't as much here. From a stylistic standpoint, this is more like what one hears in John Williams' music written for the concert hall. However, those who...Read more