The Force Awakens - Soundtrack

[smash]

So, I saw the Force Awakens again on Tuesday night, and my very first thought upon hearing the very first note of music was Ohhh

I was immediately struck by how flat and lifeless the score was.

Anyone else notice this?

I watched the credits afterwards and noticed that for the first time ever, it wasn't the LSO recorded @ Abbey Road, but was recorded in the states.

Anyone else notice this?

SImon.

Simon "Smash" Ashby.

[Text_Edifice]

I thought the score was obviously 'star-warsy' but I agree it didn't have the same impact. I think part of that might be the character themes (or lack of memorable ones) – but I've only seen it once so not sure.

[smash]

Sorry - should have been clearer...

I was referring to the recording of the score... the mix...
but yep, there weren't really any new character themes either.

Simon "Smash" Ashby

[DwaneHollands]

Do you mean the title track?

I agree.

I was surprised at how thin it sounded. It sounded small. I was waiting for a thick, surround sound mix with dialed in low frequency, but it was so pedestrian.

I mean the trailer had this mash up, almost zimmer-sound that got me excited! "They're going to just make the original theme more epic"

But no.

Honestly, it threw me off initially - I expected to be immersed in the title track. I kinda observed the title sequence a little dispassionately.

But the rest I was happy with

[zenelectro]

Just a thought - The Force Awakens was recorded in Dolby Atmos but I'm not sure if all theaters here fully support it. Apparently pretty spectacular when done right.

[Text_Edifice]

That's interesting.

[dave01.cooper]

Thought the exact same thing to be honest. I went and saw it at Vmax in Crown and remember watching the trailers for all the other movies before Star Wars plus the Dolby intro and the surround sound was amazing, detailed, full, butt shaking but when the opening title track started... everything seemed to collapse into this weird mono image just behind the screen. Really lacked life!
I was sitting half way back just on the right hand side of the room but that shouldn't have made a difference, the dialog and sound fx were great (apart from 1 horrible ADR blunder) but the music just felt, almost boring

[smash]

I saw it in Atmos, @ Event Cinemas George Street.

Seeing it again tomorrow at the IMAX in Darling Harbour, hoping it will be better.

Simon "Smash" Ashby

[audioio]

when the opening title track started...

Hit 108 db SPL where I was sitting. Fortunately, that was not sustained (unlike the second Charlies Angels film where my wife and I had to scrape our brains off the back wall before leaving).

apart from 1 horrible ADR blunder

I have to see it again to see if can spot that (pun intentional!).

[Sammas]

I saw it in Atmos, @ Event Cinemas George Street.

Simon "Smash" Ashby

I am seeing it there tomorrow night. I shall keep my ears peeled!

[chrisp]

Cinema where I saw it had one left side driver damaged - it was positively rattling at anything under 30Hz. Highly distracting .... plus two dints in the screen. Not even a cheap ticket.