The score was awful. It removed any sense of peril as time and again we heard the same light, floaty theme playing over scenes which were thematically different. The worst example I can think of is Fleshlumpeater looking for Sophie. That should have been a tense moment but all suspense was sucked out by Williams' by the numbers score.
Marlo Stanfield is NOT a man for this town - Omar Little
While I quite liked the score as a stand-alone musical suite, you're right to say that it was often lacking in any kind of dramatic tension when the situation called for it. That said, the adaptation as a whole seemed to have taken pains to surgically remove any genuine sense of peril at every turn.
The Fluffy Avenger strikes again!
Musician here. While you might be right about the lack of peril and tension in the film in general, I tried to enjoy it for what it is, and it wasn't hard. The music was rich, complex, and exquisitely orchestrated; it even approached impressionist music.
The music was placed inside a tradition, however it was very creative nonetheless. None of the rest of the simpletons composing for Hollywood today could have written this.
I'm not directly contradicting the OP's specific criticism; I guess I am saying, you could try again, to listen for what the music offers, and not for what it doesn't.
Wait a minute... John Williams made the score? wth
I would have never guessed it by the music in the movie. I can´t even remember there being a score in the background!
One of Williams' weakest scores for sure (excluding his pre-1975 "Johnny Williams" work). It's like a mixture of Hook and Harry Potter with the themes sucked out.
shareThe Cowboys, The Poseidon Adventure, and The Towering Inferno all had great John Williams scores. And all were pre-1975. Yes, he did good work prior to Jaws.
shareHold on. Before you bash his score how rite a better one the John Williams then talk about it. And don't tell me you can or give me one long explanation on why it's terrible. Get up and write a better score.
shareSo any aspect of any movie should be devoid of criticism because I personally can't do better? What a ridiculous argument. I would understand if I just moaned and slagged Williams off but I gave reasons as to why I personally disliked it and, considering his reputation, I think I am right in expecting better.
Marlo Stanfield is NOT a man for this town - Omar Little
I think the term 'awful' does not belong on this score.
Williams' music for the film is absolutely wonderful. Thematic, memorable, complex and extremely accomplished.
This film is magical and the scene you mentioned reflected adventure and not dread. Just because in your head, you interpreted the music differently it doesn't make Williams' music awful.
Do us a favour and reserve this kind of judgment for composers such as Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi and Bryan Tyler who are creating truly awful scores....
So, in your head, the scene represented adventure. Yet, we were told how dangerous the giants are and, considering the fact he will kill her if he catches her, it should be danger and not adventure that is represented.
"Do us a favour..." your choice of words seems to convey that you feel superior to anyone who has disagreed with you and you don't seem to understand how opinions work. At least I have given a reason as to why I disliked it, care to share your reasons for hating on Zimmer, Djawadi and Tyler?
Marlo Stanfield is NOT a man for this town - Omar Little
If Spielberg & Williams chose what they chose, then yes, they represented the adventure of the little girl escaping the giants. So yes, this is how I interpreted this scene too.
If my interpretation was the opposite, I should most definitely not expressed such an opinion as of how 'awful' this score was. because the score is simply not awful. It might not work in your opinion but that does not make it awful.
My choice of words was made in order to prompt you to please use this term towards people who deserve such criticism.
The gentlemen I mentioned (together with unfortunately many, many other composers)have created works that have been celebrated. But in reality , we are unfortunately celebrating mediocrity.
Non existent melodies, music devoid of any real musical artistry masked by massive block chords or ostinato strings, epic toms and synths and as of late a ridiculously annoying church organ or a massive one note bass brass and synth. These are over glorified keyboard players who would not make it past reception in the 70's and 80's where you needed to really know what you are doing in order to be given a film score and conduct an orchestra or create a score of any kind.
Today, most "composers" , have no idea how to read music, how to conduct, how to orchestrate, how to write counterpoint, contrapuntal writing and in some instances, how to play an instrument properly and most of all to write any melodies that truly represent a film/character and that stay with you for the rest of your life....
I agree. I thought the score was bland. It should've been more "thematic". It lacked a theme or a leitmotif. Most music was just random.
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