On Second Thought, Fantastic Music

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2015)

I previously wrote a scathing review of this film and gave it 3 stars. I now have to give it 8 for the music alone. The music is a "10" but the film is a "3". Let me explain.
You would think that in this day and age that music would be electronic and automated. Last night, my wife attended a performance of the Santa Barbara Symphony where they ended with music from the original Star Wars (what my kids know as Episode 4). The conductor congratulated the musicians from that orchestra who made the music for this film! It was about half the orchestra that had been in the orchestra for the latest Star Wars movie!
The music was entirely acoustic! That is to say, all the instruments of the orchestra were non- electronic instruments played by real people. You have to admit the music is fantastic. The conductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony pointed out that these were some of the most heard musicians on stage. Full disclosure: I am a professional musician myself with a degree from one of the great music schools (I play the pipe organ).
While I was not impressed by the plot nor the visual effects, the music makes this film worthwhile.