Star Wars: The Clone Wars by Kevin Kiner (Soundtrack Review)

Return of the Clones
Review by Christopher Coleman


It is no secret that George Lucas does what he wants to. Not only that, but he does what he wants HOW he wants. He's got the money and the right to do just that. He has now taken the story out of the rigors of the live-action genre and put it solely in the hands of 3D digital artists. It's easier. It's faster. It's cheaper. Why not? It is a new era for the Star Wars galaxy and along with this change in sub-genre comes a significant musical shift. The musical score is now in the hands of veteran composer KEVIN KINER.

Believe it or not, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS has shifted much further in regards to its music than it has in its visuals. With increasing frequency , the only things on-screen during the prequel trilogy were the starring actors. But now even the "last remnants of that old republic have been swept away." So, Lucas is still infatuated with these wars and the story of Obi Wan and Anakin, but perhaps composer JOHN WILLIAMS has had enough of this galaxy, and so new musical blood was in order. Rather than try to dance the line between stylistic continuity and "rip off" it sounds as though, deep within the halls of LucasFilm/LucasAnimation, after hours of deliberation, the conclusion was reached..."Screw it. Let's just sample a bit of all things Star Wars and hope for the best." The end result is a score from composer Kevin Kiner that hardly had any chance to be appreciated on its own merits. Nevertheless, we have to try.

Read the Full review here

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Music Clips Online

Starwarsthemusic.com has recently posted clips form the upcoming STAR WARS: THE CLONES WARS feature film soundtrack. The site allows you to preview every track and even rate them. THE CLONE WARS score was composed by KEVIN KINER and clearly keeps in line with Lucas' desire to take the franchise in "new directions." There are certainly moments of the big, symphonic variety that IS Star Wars, but, at the same time, this music IS NOT what most have come to associate with the characters and story. Early on, there are a couple partial quotes and occasional variations of famous motifs, but the majority of the 32 track samples contain a decidedly "world-beat" edge to them. And if that doesn' t do it for you, perhaps sleazy jazz, or big band will.

Thus far the buzz hasn't been very good for STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS itself, but I'm even more curious as to what the reaction of SW fans will be over the re-inventing of the musical element. As it stands, the music is certainly "interesting," but far, far away from the galaxy we've been visiting for 30 years.

So what do you think about this music?

Check out the clips here

Music in the Extended Clip from STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Lucas Animation recently released an extended clip from the upcoming 3-D animated feature film, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. The clip runs the better part of 4 minutes and the entire sequence has music score, so it provides a keyhole into what composer KEVIN KINER has done for the new series. The earlier music clips that were used for the official site caused me more than a little concern for what sort of score lay in wait. The music in this clip is substantially better, although it makes zero use of any of John Williams compositions. In fact, if you heard this music outside of its context, you'd likely never guess that it was associated with the Star Wars universe at all. That's not to say that it's bad. Kiner seems to get the orchestra going quite well in this action piece. It has the sort of intensity needed for a battle scene and a couple of heroic moments as well. I am much more interested in hearing the totality of the score now, but I still see a very real possibility of musical-disconnect looming.

Yes the Cartoon Network's CLONE WARS animated series went a new direction musically, but it did occasionally incorporate music from Williams vast library. Perhaps because that short-lived series was so stylistically different from any other Star Wars feature that the musical differences were acceptable. With this new film and series, yet again chronicling the events between Episodes 2 and 3, the music falls much closer to the type of score Williams has provided.

Now, I'm basing this opinion off of this single clip, which I know is a dangerous thing to do, but let me continue on why this could be problem. There are some specific moments in this clip where I'd fully expect to hear something familar like "the force theme" or the Trade Federation theme, but neither was to be heard. In one moment, a completely new, heroic motif is played over Anakin Skywalker...and my attention was duly drawn to it. I should be thinking (or feeling) "Ok...here goes Anakin!" Instead, I'm thinking, "What? No Force theme?"

I suppose for the younger generations out there, the classic Star Wars motifs are not so important, but for those who grew up with the original trilogy, I can say that to a large degree Star Wars IS it's music. If this clip indicates what I think it might, then I could have a hard time watching this film or series without being painfully distracted by the music. Certain actions and situations in the Star Wars universe have been defined over 30 years. It will not be easy to displace this.

My guess would be that somewhere within, there is an occasional quote of familiar music, but if there wasn't in a scene like this...then all bets are off. I do I hope I am wrong.

Well, check out the clip for yourself. What do you think about Kevin Kiner's music?

Check out the clip here.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Ramping Up

In just about a month, Star Wars will be back in theaters. The official site is ramping things up...slowly providing new tidbits of information about the upcoming feature film and following tv-series.

The updated starwars.com has a new look and offers a new The Clone Wars widget, see below. The widget uses, what appears to be excerpts from Kevin Kiner's upcoming score. What I'm hearing thus far is definitely cause for concern. George Lucas has made it very clear that he is going to continue to do things "his way" whether anyone likes it or not - and it's certainly his right to do so. My feeling is music-minded-star-wars-fans are going to be none-to-thrilled with the new musical direction for the animated franchise.

New Starwars.com and Clone Wars Site...with score?

It's been quite a few years since Lucas and Co. updated their official website. Well over the July 4th weekend, they did just that. Nothing as dynamic as THE FORCE UNLEASHED site, but a measured improvement. Included in the update is the section for the upcoming CLONE WARS film and television series. In that section, it appears as though they are utilizing music from either the film (by Kevin Kiner) or the TV series. In any event, it isn't what I'd call traditional Star-wars-music by any stretch of the imagination. You can check it out at the link below. So, if this proves to be the official score of either the film or tv series...what do you think of it???

Check out the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS site here

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - New Trailer (No New Music)

If you haven't seen it yet, the new, full trailer for STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS is available online...and in all its high-def glory. Unfortunately, we don't get a peek at what composer Kevin Kiner is going to be providing score-wise. As you might guess, we get all the main Star Wars trailer staples: Tales of a Jedi Knight and Duel of the Fates.

Some thoughts about the trailer, the movie and the score. First, how weird is it to see the Warner Brothers logo precede the LucasFilm logo? Pretty weird, indeed. Second, I am wondering just how much "in-between-plot" is going to be able to hold our interest and not eventually conflict with the canon established in the films on some level. Third, while I'm keen to hear what composer Kevin Kiner will provide as a score...I still can't help but think that Mark Griskey would have done a spectacular job. I'll reserve judgement until August 15 or so.

Check the full trailer here

Official STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS News

So now we have the official announcement straight from "The Ranch" ... err straight from "The Presidio" regarding the new Star Wars series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. It's actually been quite some time since I visited ye old starwars.com, but they have a pretty nifty new video player and library and among the niftiness is a teaser for the upcoming series. No mention of who is scoring the series or film, that I can find.

You who are Hyperspace members get access to all sorts of exclusive stuff as well. (I've just never seen enough value to drop $15/mo to be a H-space member.) But with the Lucas-hype-machine starting to roll into high gear...you've got me thinking about it George...you've got me thinkin'.

If you are H-space member, let us know how cool (or not) all the members-only goodies are.

Check out the trailer here.