Star Wars - The Phantom Menace: The Ultimate Edition Cary NC

Star Wars - The Phantom Menace: The Ultimate Edition

Soundtrack

Sony Classics Records, 1999

REVIEW BY: Alfredo Narvaez

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/01/2001

I know, I know. There's a whole level of controversy swirlingaround this little album. And I will get to it. First, let me helpthose that are not aware catch up.

When plans began in earnest for a new Star Wars movie, one of the things fans were looking mosttowards was the new music that composer/producer/maestro JohnWilliams would create. After all, one of the elements most loved bymovie and music fans around the world were the thrilling pieces andcues and themes that Mr. Williams had created. Think of the "StarWars Main Theme." Hear it in your head. It's something thateveryone remembers.

Finally, in May of 1999, the soundtrack was released.Unfortunately, everyone soon found out that it was not the completescore. Rather, it was the original score pieces that Williams hadcreated. Material like "Duel Of The Fates," "Anakin's Theme" and"The Droid March" was all great. Nevertheless, there was still anhour's worth of material still not available to fans. Many turnedto game CDs to compile their own "complete soundtracks." SonyClassical, catching wind of this, then turned around and began toclaim that they would soon release a complete and total edition ofthe soundtrack. Their ads claimed that it would contain all of themusic John Williams wrote for the movie. "Every note" their webpagetoted. Then, this album was released.

To be honest, every note that was in the movie is to be foundhere. However, this "Ultimate Edition" does NOT contain all of themusic Mr. Williams wrote for the movie. You see, as director GeorgeLucas continued to cut and edit the movie, musical pieces andsections were re-edited, looped or just removed from the finalmusic score to better fit the movie's action. It is this finalmusical score that Sony Classical released as its "UltimateEdition." And the fans have been yelling foul since.