The Best Musical Pieces From Each 'Star Wars' Movie: Part 1 – The Prequel Trilogy
Ever since I started watching the Star Wars movies, I have maintained that the movies, although they stand well enough on their own, would not be quite the same without the amazing film scores carefully crafted by maestro John Williams. Heavily utilizing "leitmotifs," or "short, recurring musical phrase" associated with a particular person, or idea, Williams created so many of these amazing and memorable themes for the Star Wars movies. I believe that they are so memorable, that they basically are "characters" in each film. Being a film score music lover, I have deep appreciation for what Williams was able to accomplish within the Star Wars movie franchise. In this installment, I will be discussing some of the best pieces of music from the prequel trilogy movies.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Although John Williams was not a new face to the Star Wars saga when the prequel trilogy started in 1999, he managed to come up with some amazing new musical themes to add to his already extensive tapestry of musical themes for the Star Wars universe. They help to quickly establish some new characters and scenes. There is a pastoral leitmotif theme for young Anakin Skywalker ("Anakin's Theme"), as well as a bold and triumphant theme announcing the star of the Boonta Eve Podrace ("The Arrival At Tatooine & The Flag Ceremony"). However, I think that it is hard to argue that "Duel of the Fates," written for the amazing duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul, is easily the most significant piece to come out of this movie. The piece even re-appears in the next two prequel trilogy films.
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Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
As the most significant event in Attack of the Clones is the budding yet troubled romance between Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala, Williams crafted the amazing "Across The Stars" leitmotif to reflect it. While it is the most significant and most prominent theme throughout the movie, Williams also created a martial theme that accompanies the arena battle between Anakin, Obi-Wan, Padme, and some vicious creatures in the Geonosian arena toward the end of the film. This piece ("Love Pledge & The Arena") also shows up briefly again in Revenge of the Sith. Williams also surprises us with the re-introduction of "The Imperial March" as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and some other Senators oversee the deployment of the clone army, hinting at the future transformation of the Republic into the Galactic Empire ("Confrontation With Count Dooku & Finale").
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Although "Battle of the Heroes" was clearly written to be the centerpiece of the score for Revenge of the Sith as the score during the climactic duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, there are so many other cues in the movie that deserve mention, not the least of which is "Anakin's Betrayal," which plays over a montage of Jedi being mercilessly gunned down by their clone troopers after Palpatine initiates Order 66. The theme has always reminded me a lot of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings." Earlier in the film, there is also "Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious," which starts big and bold with a chorus, highlighting Grevious' arrival on Utapau as he starts communicating with Darth Sidious and then transitioning to Anakin and Padme on Coruscant.
"Padme's Ruminations" is also a dark and interesting piece, which plays over Anakin sitting alone and troubled in the empty Jedi Council chambers while he ruminates over his decision to alert the Jedi about Palpatine while Padme stares off at the Jedi Temple from across the city. Although, unfortunately, it was not included on the soundtrack album, the beginning of the movie features some awesome pounding drums, right before we are thrust right into the midst of a massive space battle between the Republic and Separatists over Coruscant ("Main Title & Revenge of the Sith").
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