Star Wars Opening - Music Reimagined [Version2]

Here's my attempt at the infamous Star Wars opening. The things I wanted to focus on were... 

1) How I transition from scene to scene?

2) Overall mood is fitting? 

3) Does it capture the attention throughout?

4) Does it enhance the picture or just distract? 

I'm looking to learn so any criticism is welcome. Thank you. 

Holy cow dude...Creating music for a Star Wars scene is already a massive undertaking so congratulations on your patience there!

While the music itself wasn't bad, I felt that it could've changed some moments in the scene. Like when the stormtroopers busted through the door I felt like the melody could've changed a bit during that specific time. 

I mean other than that bravo! I loved it when the brass came in during when the empire ship boarded the rebel ship from beneath.

Thanks for the quick review! I admit I got lazy during the second half and just copy/pasted. I'll look into changing up the music a bit more to create variety. Thanks again! 

Ambitious indeed to rescore a scene with an iconic soundtrack but I thought you did a great job.  I completely agree with LostSamurai's comment about needing some change in the music when the stormtroopers board.  The music was great in building up the opening scene but doesn't quite work as well when looped into the action part of the scene.  Also a bit of a let down that the music drops out when Vader enters.

You know, I felt like if you brought back the brass like you did when the stormtroopers boarded the ship during Vader's entry it would've gave a very grave feeling like oh crap he's here!

I actually had low strings with subtle piano playing the Vader theme when he arrives. I scrapped it because I thought silence suited the scene more. I'll experiment with what you guys suggested :) 

Just edited the second half - Removed the reappearance of opening theme and added a more familiar motif. Also added music for Vader's entrance. I'm slightly torn with this part as I'm struggled to find the mood here. Let me know what you think! 

Definitely like this version better!  If I had to nitpick, my only quibble is still Vader’s entrance could be more dramatic.  I guess I’m just too used to hearing the gong/brass part in the original.  Still great job!

DEFINITELY love this version MUCH better. This version is much more intense. The instruments that played when the stormtroopers busted through the door had the hairs on my skin rise. In that part, the music actually made the stormtroopers seem deeply more sinister than what the original made them out to be. 

I do agree with bkho about the Vader part in that it could've been a bit more intense but it was fine.

Honestly, I like this a lot better than the original score. Good stuff man!

Edit:

Actually, I take back what I said about Vaders introduction. After seeing it a second time, I actually like the way it is! Low string sustain that sounded dark and grim, that perfectly describes Vaders personality. Your version made him feel VERY dark and I love that. But I noticed the longer the sustain the brighter the sound had gotten...which took away from the dark feeling a bit but here it's understandable since it cuts to the Star Wars logo and ends the clip.

5 hours ago, bkho said:

Definitely like this version better!  If I had to nitpick, my only quibble is still Vader’s entrance could be more dramatic.  I guess I’m just too used to hearing the gong/brass part in the original.  Still great job!

 

Thank you! I'm glad I was able to improve on it. And please nitpick... I want to improve as much as possible. I want to know every little quirk and second that seems off putting. :)

2 hours ago, LostSamurai said:

DEFINITELY love this version MUCH better. This version is much more intense. The instruments that played when the stormtroopers busted through the door had the hairs on my skin rise. In that part, the music actually made the stormtroopers seem deeply more sinister than what the original made them out to be. 

I do agree with bkho about the Vader part in that it could've been a bit more intense but it was fine.

Honestly, I like this a lot better than the original score. Good stuff man!

Edit:

Actually, I take back what I said about Vaders introduction. After seeing it a second time, I actually like the way it is! Low string sustain that sounded dark and grim, that perfectly describes Vaders personality. Your version made him feel VERY dark and I love that. But I noticed the longer the sustain the brighter the sound had gotten...which took away from the dark feeling a bit but here it's understandable since it cuts to the Star Wars logo and ends the clip.

 

Woah! That's a very nice comment, LostSamurai! I probably listened to my own version 50 times, trying to find which section sounded off and I'm glad I was able to improve it.

The storm troopers section took some time to figure out. I knew I couldn't reuse the same rhythm as previous because it would feel a bit redundant, and the mood isn't quite the same. I cheated and placed the Jedi Theme in there, because it felt fitting :) Also what's odd is that everything seemed to fit within the 120BPM. I suppose George Lucas timed everything to JW's music? 

I am surprised you like this version over the original! But I'll take it! JW's compositions in my mind will never be surpassed but I hope to one day be in his shoes.  

Thanks again for listening, it means a lot to me! 

The music fits the scene, transitions are good, it helps the movie but doesn't take the watchers attention.

I think that you achived your goals.

Theres a problem you overcame here that I've been trying to overcome myself for months with no success...

How did you keep the original soundeffects after removing the original music?

I think you did an outstanding job on transitions. The music fits the frame on almost every part of the scene. The only part I think was a bit off is the part when the stormtroopers enter the spaceship. The melody and the harmonization are fine but I'm not keen on the choice of instruments here and the intensity you put at that moment.

Apart from great job man! I escpecially liked the Vador entrance. The big brass are in their place here.