TLDR;
This video explores the musical themes in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, focusing on Rey's theme and its connections to other iconic themes like the Force theme, the Imperial March, Yoda's theme, and Kylo Ren's theme. It argues that the sequel trilogy lacks a cohesive plan, leading composer John Williams to create flexible themes that can adapt to various narrative possibilities.
- Rey's theme contains elements reminiscent of the Force theme, the Imperial March, and Yoda's theme.
- The Force theme is overused in the sequel trilogy, diminishing its impact.
- John Williams created flexible themes for Rey and Kylo Ren to adapt to the evolving storyline.
Introduction to Rey's Theme [0:00]
The video introduces the extensive online discussions about Rey's theme from Star Wars, highlighting the Easter eggs and hidden meanings within it. The creator acknowledges the Star Wars community's work in dissecting the theme and promises to credit their contributions by providing links in the description. Rey's theme contains elements that sound like the Force theme played backward and can be played as a duet with it.
Connections Within Rey's Theme [0:21]
The video explores the connections within Rey's theme to other Star Wars themes. A part of Rey's theme resembles the cadence of the Imperial March when played repeatedly. Another part of her theme, when played backward, also evokes the Imperial March. Additionally, a section of Rey's theme is harmonized similarly to Yoda's theme, allowing them to be played together. Kylo Ren's theme is almost a retrograde version of Rey's theme and can be seen as an extension of the Emperor's throne room theme.
The Importance of Planning in Soundtracks [1:31]
The video emphasizes the importance of planning when creating soundtracks with themes and motifs. Composers need to know the story, characters, relationships, and future events to create effective music. The Emperor's throne room theme from "Return of the Jedi" appears in the prequels, showcasing how Williams used music to tell Palpatine's story across the trilogy. However, the original Star Wars trilogy lacked a clear plan, requiring Williams to compensate.
The Use of the Main Theme and Luke's Development [3:16]
The video discusses the use of the main Star Wars theme and its association with Luke Skywalker. The main theme represents Luke, but using it repeatedly can make the character seem static. To show Luke's growth, other themes, like the Force theme, are used to represent him as a Jedi. The main theme appears sparingly in the prequel trilogy, mainly during the title crawl and key moments related to Luke.
The Force Theme and Its Overuse [5:24]
The video shifts focus to the Force theme, noting its overuse in the sequel trilogy. The Force theme, originally Obi-Wan Kenobi's theme (Binary Sunset), was retconned to represent the Force in Episodes V and VI. In the prequels, this created an awkward situation where Obi-Wan is surrounded by Force users who share his theme. The sequel trilogy excessively uses the Force theme, diminishing its impact, particularly in Episode VIII where it was notably absent during a crucial scene of Luke using the Force.
The Imperial March and Vader's Theme [9:51]
The video examines the Imperial March and its association with Darth Vader. The Imperial March represents the Empire, not specifically Vader, and is used when the Empire is present. Anakin's theme subtly incorporates the Imperial March, foreshadowing his transformation into Vader. In the sequel trilogy, the Imperial March is used when referencing Vader or Kylo Ren's connection to him.
Disney's Lack of Planning and Williams' Flexible Themes [12:27]
The video argues that Disney lacks a clear plan for the sequel trilogy, leading to inconsistent storytelling. Rey's parentage reveal exemplifies this lack of direction. John Williams, recognizing this, created flexible themes for Rey and Kylo Ren that can adapt to various narrative possibilities. Their themes are almost perfect retrogrades of each other, and Williams can emphasize different aspects to fit the evolving story.
Williams' Strategic Composition [14:18]
The video concludes by emphasizing John Williams' strategic approach to composing the music for the sequel trilogy. Knowing that the overarching story might change, Williams designed Rey's theme to be adaptable. He can highlight different elements of her theme to align with various plot developments, such as connections to Yoda, the Skywalkers, or the Emperor. This flexibility ensures that the music remains relevant and impactful regardless of the story's direction.