Soundtrack Review: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
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This is a review of the motion picture score Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by John Williams.
“A bummer for sure, but one of the few bummers I sincerely enjoy listening to.”
Star Wars scores come with high standards (duh). Neither The Phantom Menace nor Attack of the Clones have fulfilled them all, but both are great additions and have boasted a number of quality thematic additions to the saga. But when those lofty heights aren’t reached it is important to point out why, even if the score is still strong. So when I spend the next two paragraphs pointing out the inadequacies of Revenge of the Sith, just know that it’s still a fine score with many standout moments, albeit with a bunch of mitigating factors that keep it from greatness
Little Thematic Ground
The shock about the score is how little new thematic ground it establishes. The only major new theme is “Battle of the Heroes”, a climactic choral workout that is more operatic than its inevitable comparison piece “Duel of the Fates”. It certainly does make the final battle cues (heard best uninterrupted for their near 12-minute stretch) epic and thrilling, but as a primary thematic identity for the score it’s a bummer, especially with how classic “Across the Stars” was. Further compounding this is the lack of a strong secondary theme that consistently pops up. Certainly the score has its share of standout individual moments. The percussive and brassy ruckus for Grievous is impressively frenetic, even if it is anonymous and doesn’t break any new ground. The lament in “Anakin’s Betrayal” is an enormous musical tragedy that ranks among the most emotional of the composer’s creations, and the choral chanting in “Anakin’s Dark Deeds” roars with ominous menace. Yet all these are mostly reduced to single cues, creating a more situational score that is a stark change from the previous scores of the saga. There is no overarching thematic purpose here, making cues like “The Immolation Scene” a bit anonymous. A minor bummer for the prequel trilogy, it’s a massive disappointment when considering how much new thematic ground came with Return of the Jedi.
Odd Moments
There are also just a few moments that are…well…odd. The Middle Eastern vocals wailing over the subtle deconstruction of the love theme in “Padme’s Ruminations” work decently on film, but seem horribly out of place in the saga, even with the prequel trilogy’s occasional use of solo voice. The end credit mix also proves odd, though it still remains likeable. The use of Leia’s theme to start is probably a means to tie into the original trilogy, yet the inclusion of the theme for the twins would have been much more appropriate (further proving that this theme will never get its justly deserved airtime). The immediate transition from Battle of the Heroes into a lengthy variation on A New Hope’s Throne Room fanfare proves the most puzzling, even with its attractive presentation. It leaves the sense that nothing in the prequel trilogy was worth surmising, as well as further cementing the lack of darker development of Anakin’s Theme as the saga’s most wasted opportunity. With nearly 11 minutes to work with, the cue works but lacks the weight a final chapter’s close should.
Conclusion
Yet, as I said to start this review, the score is not poor, in fact it’s still a strong score and technically soars past most modern scores. The extended action finale is among the composer’s most exciting climactic ventures, and the suspense writing is laudable for progressing from more light eerie tones in TPM to uncertain mystery in AOTC to a full sense of unease and menace here. The score also features the most extensive and best uses of original trilogy themes. The Force theme is the clear winner here, whether soaring exuberantly in “Goodbye Old Friend”, rumbling at perhaps its most exciting level in “Battle Over Coruscant”, giving emotional weight to the climactic battle cues, or providing some brief nobility in the surrounding darkness of “The Death of Mace”. The Imperial March comes in clear second. “The Death of Mace” adds ominous throat singing while “The Birth of the Twins” and “Padme’s Funeral” giving it a dark sense of things to come. Both themes duel in the muted atmosphere of “Palpatine’s Teachings”, though you’ll need great speakers and a devoted ear to pick up on that. And while its reverence to prequel trilogy themes may be lacking (the use of Duel of the Fates in the climactic battle is mostly temp-tracked, only rerecording the choir), the use of the funeral theme in “Padme’s Funeral” is gorgeous in its restraint, and the counterpoint with the imperial march is equally brilliant. Fantastic moments throughout, but the score lacks the focus and cohesion to stand with its predecessors. A bummer for sure, but one of the few bummers I sincerely enjoy listening to.
Album Situation: Both the commercial album and 2-disc DVD rips share the same structural problems, but the increased thematic references on the rip make it the slightly better choice, especially with sound effects becoming overpowering only in parts of two cues.
Original Album (72:08)
1. Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith (7:31)
2. Anakin’s Dream (4:46)
3. Battle of the Heroes (3:42)
4. Anakin’s Betrayal (4:04)
5. General Grievous (4:07)
6. Palpatine’s Teachings (5:25)
7. Grievous and the Droids (3:28)
8. Padme’s Ruminations (3:17)
9. Anakin vs. Obi-Wan (3:57)
10. Anakin’s Dark Deeds (4:05)
11. Enter Lord Vader (4:14)
12. The Immolation Scene (2:42)
13. Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious (2:49)
14. The Birth of the Twins and Padme’s Destiny (3:37)
15. A New Hope and End Credits (13:06)
2-Disc Partial DVD Rip (143:08)
Disc 1
1. Fox Fanfare 0:23
2. Star Wars Main Title/Battle Over Coruscant 7:31
3. General Grievous 0:54
4. The Elevator Scene 2:12
5. Count Dooku’s Entrance 0:51
6. The Death of Dooku I 1:20 (blatant sfx)
7. The Death of Dooku 2 1:00 (sfx)
8. Going Down 0:58 (Temp)
9. Grievous Flees 3:28
10. Coruscant’s Warm Welcome 1:15 (Temp)
11. Another Happy Landing 0:41
12. Revisiting Padme 1:54 (sfx)
13. Greivous Travels to Palpatine/According to Plan 2:09 (some sfx)
14. Scenes and Dreams 1:53
15. You Die 3:55
16. Be Careful Of Your Friend 1:32 (sfx)
17. Council Meeting I 1:10 (sfx)
18. Council Meeting II 3:12 (sfx)
19. Hold Me 0:41 (sfx)
20. Palpatine’s TV Set/Palpatine’s Big Pitch 5:26 (some sfx)
21. Battle on Kashyyk (Temp) 2:16
22. Goodbye Old Friend 2:38
23. Going to Utapau/Riding the Lizard 3:48
24. Obi-Wan Fares Droids 0:19
25. Obi-Wan vs Grievous 3:44
26. A Plot To Destroy 1;06 (sfx)
27. Palpatine’s Seduction 2:31
28. Rolling and Fighting With Grievous 2:33
29. Dialogue with Mace 1:35
30. Padme’s Ruminations 1:41
31. I Am The Senate 2:56 (some sfx)
32. The Death of Mace 2:31 (brief blatant sfx)
Disc Two
1. Palpatine Instructs Anakin 1:55 (sfx)
2. Execute Order 66 1:56 (Mostly Temp)
3. Anakin’s Betrayal 4:27
4. Bail’s Escape 0:28 (Temp)
5. Swimming and Yoda Farewell 1:16
6. News of the Attack 1:31
7. Moving Things Along 1:59 (sfx)
8. Enter Lord Vader 4:16
9. Anakin’s Dark Deeds 2:15
10. Security Recordings 2:37 (sfx)
11. It Can’t Be 2:55 (some sfx)
12. A Moody Trip 0:59
13. Padme’s Visit 2:59 (some sfx)
14. Padme’s Plea 2:08 (sfx)
15. Battle of the Heroes (Film) 6:59
16. Search for Yoda 1:21
17. Into Exile 0:28 (sfx)
18. Anakin vs. Obi-Wan (Film) 2:47
19. The Immolation Scene 2:42
20. Crawling/Still Alive 1:17 (sfx)
21. Yoda Meditates/Landing on Coruscant 1:54 (sfx)
22. The Birth of the Twins/Padme’s Fate 4:33 (some sfx)
23. Plans For The Twins 1:39
24. Padme’s Funeral 1:30 (brief sfx)
25. A Home For The Twins/End Credits 13:37 (brief sfx in first minute)
26. Battle Of The Heroes (concert) 3:42
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Soundtrack Seek
Thanks for the great review. Where could I buy/download the 2-Disc Partial DVD Rip ?
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