Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK]

John Williams (Composer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition, Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000062VVV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (229 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,909 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

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There's never been anything quite like the symphonic film music series that John Williams has forged for George Lucas's sprawling Star Wars saga. By the time the sixth chapter rolls around, Williams will have created a body of work that spans fully 30 years of his career, a virtual Ring Cycle of sci-fi/fantasy soundtrack music. While Attack of the Clones again achieves the high standards of its predecessors, it also succeeds by both forging some rewarding new musical themes at the same time it begins to bring the galactic fable full circle. The budding relationship between now-teenaged Anakin Skywalker and Amidala/Padme is informed by "Across the Stars--Love Theme from Attack of the Clones," a grand romantic motif that's infused with a subtle melancholy that hints at the tragedy that must ultimately befall the young lovers. The composer's mastery of idiom and color serve him especially well in the action cues, infusing "Zam the Assassin and the Chase Through Coruscant" and "Jango's Escape" with bracing doses of 20th-century modernism and its inherent rhythmic fury performed, as always, by the London Symphony Orchestra. Williams also incorporates the "Force" and "Jedi" themes of the first SW trilogy sparingly, before "Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale" completes the musical/thematic tapestry by interweaving The Empire Strikes Back's menacing "Imperial March" with both the new "Love Theme" and the Phantom Menace's dramatic choral showcase "Duel of the Fates." This sweeping denouement should rightfully take its place among the saga's most compelling musical sequences. Purists may grouse at the obviously abridged music here, but given history a complete/ultimate edition of the score can't be far behind. This soundtrack is issued with one of four different, collectible covers. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A force-ful score for Clones......, October 21, 2003

By	Betty June Moore (Douglas, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

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 visuals and the storyline, Williams' music is evolving "towards" the existing Classic Trilogy's thematic contact even as new action cues add freshness and avoid the "been-there, done-that" staleness that kills movie sequels and their scores.
Of particular note among the action cues is the combined "Zam the Assasin and The Chase Through Coruscant," a percussion-heavy composition that accompanies scenes with the Clawdite bounty hunter Zam Wessel and her frantic efforts to escape from Obi-Wan and Anakin through Coruscant's planetwide cityscape. It is fast-paced and relentless, alternating between purpose and desperation as the chase unfolds.
Just as The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) dominated Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back's score to reflect the true driving force of the second Star Wars film, Across the Stars (Love Theme from Attack of the Clones) is the true heart-and-soul of Williams' music for Episode II. In this album we hear the concert arrangement, "Across the Stars," in its entirety: it is, like its close counterpart Han Solo and the Princess, a romantic theme that evokes the growing affection between the former Queen of Naboo and the rebellious young Jedi Padawan. Its main melody is full of yearning and passion, yet there is a hint of darkness to it at times. For Williams knows, as we do, that Anakin Skywalker is destined to fall to the dark side of the Force.....
The love theme appears in other tracks, notably in "The Meadow Picnic," "Anakin and Padme," "Love Pledge and The Arena," and, in a Star Wars tradition, as part of the end credit music in "Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale."
Themes from the entire Star Wars saga are heard throughout the various cues. The classic Star Wars theme is, of course, heard at the start of Main Title, then reprised with the Rebel Fanfare (another Star Wars tradition) for the end credits. The famous "Duel of the Fates" vocal makes a cameo in "Return to Tatooine," Yoda's Theme from The Empire Strikes Back is heard in "Yoda and the Younglings," while the iconic Imperial March (which made little coy appearances in Episode I as part of "Anakin's Theme") is featured prominently toward the end of track 13. As usual, the Force theme (also known as Ben's Theme in the original Star Wars soundtrack from 1977) serves as a unifying theme, marking transitions in Anakin's journey to his destiny.
Heard alone or in conjuction with the other four Star Wars scores, this CD is worth adding it to your library of movie soundtracks, or, if you simply love music, the enjoyment of listening to compositions by the great John Williams.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Star Wars Is Back!, June 23, 2002

By	Johannes (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

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 begins without it!The rest of the track is quite dark and introduces a new motif for Count Dooku, the new villain. But the track is mislabeled - it should be "Main Title & Arrival on Kamino", as it is heard when Obi-Wan arrives on Kamino. Great track. ****

2)Across The Stars (5:33): I reeeeallly LOVE this one!This is the new,bittersweet,love theme for Anakin and Amidala. It is quite different from everything else in Star Wars we`ve heard before. It is more sounding like a love theme from the 40`s, and it`s really stunning. It doesn`t give a happy feeling, like the Han & Leia love theme, but it perfectly portrays the forbidden love - a Jedi should feel no anger,nor hatred, nor love!This is the main new theme of Episode II, and it is really memorable.
Definitly the best love theme ever done by Williams!*****

3)Zam The Assasin & Chase Through Coruscant (11:07): Another highlight. An eleven-minute action cue!This track consists of wonderfull percussion and some primitive drums and hand-clapping effects, which are all new to SW (there is even a rock guitar in this track, which adds a really urban feel to it). Unlike any other Star Wars chase music, this track is what will stimulate even the non-fans of typical Star Wars music. After about nine minutes of action, it is slowing down and becomes dark underscore. The last three mins of this track are heard when obi-Wan negotiates with the kaminoans. It is very menacing. *****

4)Yoda & The Younglings (3:55): This track begins very innocent, with some idyllic and sweet music for the very young jedis. It is very beautifull. Then, the love theme comes back for a short while, with a statement of Yoda`s theme from the original trilogy, which I really enjoy. It is followed by some mysterious choir, which is so beautifull I nearly want to cry,and with the force theme, this is a really moving track reminiscent of Williams`s underrated score for "A.I.". It ends with yet a statement of the love theme. ****

5)Departing Coruscant (1:48): A minor cue, and the least interesting on the CD. Only reason to ever listen to this track is about 15 seconds of the force theme. ***

6)Anakin & Padmè (3:54): Rather beautifull beginning which soon overgoes into the love theme played on piano, as Anakin expresses his love to Amidala. This track is rather similar to Harry Potter, and this makes it less interesting but it`s still a good one which I often listen too. ****

7)Jango`s Escape (3:48): Begins with the motif for Jango Fett, one of the new cool villains of the film. This is a highly percussive action cue which is similar to the track 3, but much stronger orchestral. It ends with some egyptian sounding music which I really enjoy and it accompanies the track very well.
Still, it could deliver little more of Jango`s theme. ****

8)The Meadow Picnic (4:14): Begins nearly identical to track 6, then overgoes into some sad music, before bursting out into a happy version of the love theme. Here, we have the old Williams back. At about 2:40, we are taken into Obi-Wan`s adventure when he is tracking down the enemy. The track suddenly becomes some exotic,percussive underscore with light choir. ****

9)Bounty Hunter`s Pursuit (3:20): A massive, percussive action cue at the first 1.5 minutes, which is reminiscent of the action music in "Return of Jedi". Then, it turns down to almost nothing,and ends with some incredible music - the most agressive and threatening version of the Trade Federation March we`ve ever heard.****

10)Return to Tatooine (6:55): Begins with some music reminiscent of Episode I, and it can really tell the story - Anakin returns to the place where he grew up. It is very low at bits, then getting a little more nervous and agressive, like a prelude to something horrible. It continues beeing that exciting for a while, giving us a heroic statement of the force theme, and the bursts into....DUEL OF THE FATES!This really awakens memories,as Anakin leaves to find his mother, and I really love this part. Then, it turns down to almost nothing, which gives it an eerie feel of the Tatooine wastelands. It ends with another statement of Count Dooku`s motif. *****

11)The Tusken Camp & The Homestead (5:54): The beginning is a lot similar to the tusken raider music of Episode IV, and works well. Then, it suddenly becomes both sad and mysterious, with some piano solos, reminding me of Eric Serra`s "Atlantis". This track is also rather feelsome, as it features several statements of The Imperial March, as Anakin`s anger flows through him. This makes this track close in style to the original trilogy. At the end,it also features some darkened chorus. *****

12)Love Pledge & The Arena (8:29):The best action cue on the entire CD! Begins with several variations on the love theme, as Anakin says "I truly,deeply love you". That goes on for about two minutes, and then, it is beginning to turn into a menacing march, which sounds like a mix of the trade federation & imperial march and much more. It is also a little similar to the action music of The Lost World, which was very enjoyable. It also features some drums and lots of percussion.
Here we finally have some really heroic action music, and the only opportunities to hear the love theme in action, as well as an heroic version of the force theme at the end of the track. A real highlight. *****

13)Confrontation With Count Dooku & Finale (10:44): Aaaah!My favorite!John Williams ends the score with this eleven-minute thriller, beginning with mysterious choir and the force theme.
That is followed by a wonderfull,eerie soprano and harp strings, which really portrays the dark side and then overgoes into some heroic music and several statements of the imperial march, and yet another version of the love theme closes the film, and the end credits roll. The end titles begins with the typical Sw theme, then several statements of the love theme and finally, a french horn solo of Anakin`s theme from Episode I, which sounds unique. Over all,a magnificent ending of yet another great adventure!*****

Over all, I find this score very enjoyable and I can`t understand what everyone is complaining at. When Williams`s didn`t gave us something new with Harry Potter, they`d complained. But when he finally does,with this, they want the same old stuff again!Are they never happy with the modern day Williams?
Anyhow, I think Williams is still the amazing composer he was 20 years ago.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Jerry Goldsmith than John Williams, May 17, 2002

By A Customer

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 know and like the alternate unused cue for the battle on Jaba's sand barge in "Return of the Jedi" or "Battle in the Snow" from "The Empire Strikes Back" will appreciate this CD more I think.