TFA Soundtrack Listing

It's so hard to guess when we only have track titles to go by. I'd really need to hear the score before I try.
But, until I hear the music, I'm going along with you, "The Ways of the Force"
Of the track titles listed -- it feels closest.

 

Once again, this trilogy is not about Han, Luke and Leia. This is not their trilogy. Their trilogy is 4-6. Yes - they are in the movie - but to serve as the transition to the next generation of characters. These trilogies are clearly structured generationally.

Again, no one asked for Luke, Han, and Leia to be the center of the new trilogy. All we asked is that since they're back that they at least deliver on them doing some stuff and not put them in the film for 2 seconds, and have them interact with each other. This isn't an unreasonable expectation. There's no reason why having Luke, Han, and Leia in supporting roles a la Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing in ANY way impedes on the development of new characters, and if it does, then it's really, REALLY badly written.

There absolutely is a reason - we just don't know it yet.

Han will be in the movie to the degree that Obi Wan was in IV, being a carry over from the 1-3 trilogy.

Tarkin was basically a new character in IV, we saw him for 2 seconds in Sith. His role is comparable to a General Hux in TFA.

What makes you think that Luke has any place in the First Order/Resistance fight? What if it makes no sense to shoehorn him into that conflict when we have no idea what he has been up to for 30 years? Why is he in hiding on the island? Questions we don't know the answers to yet, but the filmmakers do.

Luke is not going to be put in a place that he doesn't belong in the larger scheme of things in order to appease entitled fanboys. That's not good storytelling.

Okay, so then why did you just act like you did?

I am trying to understand why certain decisions were made regarding Luke and what it means long term and not trying to impose my own personal demands on the filmmakers and then whine when I don't get exactly what I expected.

Again, you guys act like the story HAD to be written that way and somebody didn't sit there and decide at some point that it was a good idea to put Luke in the movie for 2 seconds and basically do a remake of A New Hope minus Luke. And if that's the best they could come up with, it's honestly only more evidence of how creatively bankrupt Hollywood sadly is.

The argument that it's "fan service" to put Luke Skywalker in the film for more than 2 seconds, have him do something, and maybe use a lightsaber and interact with Han and Leia is completely hypocritical when the entire existence of this movie aside from money/greed IS fan service.

It is supremely hypocritical to label everyone who hates the idea of putting Luke Skywalker in the movie for 2 seconds and never having him do anything in it as nostalgia blind/obsessed fanboys who don't care about anything else, when the entire movie is so drenched in nostalgia -- and intended to be that way -- that the only way it'd be more nostalgic is if they took a time machine to the 1980s and released it then.

People who want to see Luke in this film for more than two seconds are just saying "Hey, me too!" when they see everything else the movie is, they're not being unreasonable. In the buffet of nostalgia that The Force Awakens seems to be, they're just asking for a spot for Luke, and that isn't too much to ask. Not at all. Saying that putting Luke in the film for more than two seconds is pandering to nostalgia is like closing the gate after the tauntaun got out and lightsaber sliced itself open to shove a jedi in it because it happened in Empire Strikes Back.

It's like putting Yoda into A New Hope if the films were released chronologically. "Hey, why is Yoda not in this new movie? We loved him in 1-3 and he is no where to be found in this new Episode IV. Why would they not bring him back? We've waited so long to see him again. Is it asking too much to see him? I can't believe he's not going to leave his exile and join these rebels to destroy this big space station and completely blow his cover to the Empire. Can he not at least do something?" Yoda is not in Episode IV because he doesn't fit into that story and his role is being saved for Episode V. Luke is not in Episode VII (much) because he doesn't fit into that story and his role is being saved for Episode VII. Fan service is probably the reason we will see Luke at all. Rey very easily could've started her search for Luke at the start of Episode 8. But they decided to do it at the end of VII probably to avoid absolute fanboy rage.

Luke comparisons to Yoda, and Han to Obi-Wan don't work because one, we had no preconceptions of who Yoda or Obi-Wan were in the Original Trilogy and they were never the faces of Star Wars, whereas Luke, followed by Han, are pretty much the faces of Star Wars and arguably the most iconic film figures of all time. Two, Harrison Ford said he won't be the Obi Wan Kenobi of the new films, and likewise Luke won't be Yoda. Even Kasdan said the characters hadn't changed, but were just more experienced. Three, Obi Wan Kenobi as an old man fought with a lightsaber and saved the day in Episode 4, so Luke doing that in Episode 7 if he's an Obi Wan allegory still works. Luke as old and decrepit and not doing blast like Yoda makes no sense when both Han and Leia are still in the action, and Leia isn't as dependent on the force as Luke, and Han is years older than Luke, plus, again, old Obi Wan still kicked ass. Relegating Luke to a useless old guy who does nothing but spew fortune cookie advice is in a hutt is moronic and a complete waste of the character.

We certainly do know who they are in chronological context. Obi Wan and Yoda were central figures of the first 3 episodes. The films were made out of order, but the stories are not out of order. Han Solo serves as the older warrior who imparts the tale of the previous generation, as seen in the trailer. He ultimately sacrifices his life so the new kids might escape. So this very much like Obi Wan did in IV. We are taking about character role similarities, not exact replicas. Luke, like Yoda, is in exile. No one knows were he is, and he doesn't want anyone to know where he is. That's why you don't see Yoda showing up to help take down the Death Star and you don't see Luke leading an attack on the Starkiller Base. What we don't know yet is what sets Luke into that hiding. So to expect him to be central to this movie ignores the whole basis for his hiding, and the dark forces that have sprung up to threaten Luke and whatever has become of Luke training new Jedi. We have no idea what type of mentor Luke will be to Rey. No one is saying he will be exactly like Yoda was and be old and decrepit and not engage in any action. Again, we're talking about character role similarities, not exact replicas.

Oh gee, well I can't wait. I totally feel like trusting them again after waiting 32 years for a Return Of The Jedi sequel and only getting to see the character for 2 seconds after all the hype of seeing the original cast in a Star Wars movie again -- hey, it's just 2 more years now, whoohoo!

This is the biggest middle finger to an audience ever if true. Apologists be damned. There is no excuse.

Well, then don't see it. If you think that this movie is being tailor-made to meet your personal expectations, you're going to be disappointed. This movie is Act I of a three Act trilogy. If you can't enjoy the first one because you're too impatient to see what happens in the second and third ones, then you'll find no enjoyment in it.

 

Could be fake, could be real. It's hard to tell. It presents some interesting possibilities ("Scherzo for X-Wings' especially) but there also some disappointments, like the lack of a dedicated concert arrangement for Kylo Ren or Finn.

 

My apologies because I mentioned this in the AMA post as well, but I feel inclined to revisit the issue after seeing the "Scherzo for X-Wings" track listing. Others have already defined what "scherzo" means, so I will spare your time. My only criticism of the AMA sequence was that the music was too playful for an action scene (I wonder which one of the track listings this was). We have had playful tracks in SW before, but I can't think of any during an action scene (only when introducing ewoks, droids, etc.).

So, if an X-wing sequence has music defined as "scherzo", plus the already-released AMA scene was playful, I really hope that this is not a trend. The music goes a long way in establishing the tone of the film. I will reserve judgement until after I see the film, but I really hope that either John Williams isn't losing is touch or that JJ has not dictated too playful a tone for this film. The fact that it is rated PG-13 gives me hope.

I watched "Jurassic World" over the weekend to get an idea for Colin Trevorrow's work and I must say that the score by Michael Giacchino ruined the film for me because it was too playful during serious moments and because it guided the audience too much.

If somebody with a background in musical composition can chime in, I would be curious to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

 

Well let's see...
We've got "The Scavenger", "Rey's theme", and "the girl with the staff" which all seem to be about Rey.
So maybe Rey's theme?

 

Great post. Welcome to the Cantina.

 

Dude. Stop.

 

http://www.allegroclassical.com/beethoven-scherzo.html

and

I would consider this a scherzo

and that obviously lol

 

Great!
Here's my attempt...

Spoiler

1. Main Title and the Attack on the Jakku Village

Pan down from opening crawl to reveal the Finalizer above Jakku. Onboard, First Order Stormtroopers line up in troop transporters as launch klaxons sound. The camera seems to focus on one of the troopers in particular as the transports blast off for the planet below.
Cut to Lor San Tekka's dwelling. Poe Dameron approaches the village elder. "This," explains Tekka "is what you were sent to collect," as he presents him with the lightsaber. Suddenly, a loud noise breaks the night silence. "We've got company," Poe announces. Outside, the First Order carriers are descending on the edge of the village. Tekka reveals the weapon also contains an important message for the Resistance. As the villagers prepare to resist the First Order, Poe entrusts the message to his droid, BB-8, as he hides the lightsaber inside. As the droid races away from the village, the troops begin to disembark, under a volley of laser fire from the villagers.

Captain Phasma strides into the village and orders her flame troopers to begin torching the dwellings. The villagers are soon overwhelmed. Amid the chaos, one of the troopers appears bewildered by the carnage around him. Nearby, one of his comrades has been mortally wounded. As he crouches to assist, the fallen trooper reaches out, leaving a bloody handprint on the helmet of his ally.
Phasma orders the flustered trooper to ignore the casualty and open fire on the villagers, addressing him by his callsign, FN-2187.
The trooper hesitates, eventually indicating he has had a weapons malfunction.
Meanwhile Poe has returned to his X-Wing, parked on an embankment on the outskirts of the village. He retrieves his weapon and rushes to join the battle. He is discovered by a group of Flame Troopers who apprehend him and torch the pilot's transport. BB-8 witnesses the explosion as he scoots away across the desert under cover of darkness.
Kylo Ren's personal shuttle lands, and he disembarks as the surviving villagers have been contained.
He ignites his lightsaber and cuts down some of the villagers who attempt to stop him. He approaches Tekka to find out where the lightsaber is. When the elder refuses to reveal the whereabouts of the artifact, he is murdered by Ren.

The First Order return to the Finalizer, taking Poe Dameron with them as prisoner. Shaken by the experience, FN-2187 remains onboard the troop carrier and removes his helmet, gasping for breath. Phasma requests to see the troop, demanding he surrenders his weapon for inspection. Upon finding no fault with the blaster, Phasma decides the FN-2187 will be punished for his cowardice...

2. The Scavenger

Daytime - back on Jakku, we are shown the remnants of a great battle - downed Star Destroyers and various fighter craft sit like monumental relics in the sand. A lone speeder cuts across the horizon heading through the wreckages. A masked figure, wrapped in desert fatigues, hops off the speeder and heads up a huge banking of sand, towards the engines of a vast Star Destroyer wreckage.
Using unique agility and a rope to descend through the many levels of the capital ship to the main hangar, she gathers a collection of useful scrap items and makes her way back to the surface. As she emerges, she removes her mask and studies some of the items she has plundered, before dragging her wares back down to her speeder. She attaches the bag of scrap to the speeder and races home, passing through a small frontier settlement where traders deal in salvaged goods to earn a living, as the sun begins to set on Jakku...

3. I Can Fly Anything

Back onboard the Finalizer, Kylo Ren is interrogating Poe Dameron. Using the Force, Ren attempts to probe Dameron's mind for answers. Despite Poe's attempts to resist, Ren is able to learn that the lightsaber was hidden inside the droid back on Jakku, as Dameron passes out, exhausted from the ordeal. Ren reports back to General Hux as Poe is escorted away to the detention area.
Fearing retribution for his actions, and disillusioned by the First Order's motives, FN-2187 decides he needs to escape. Unable to fly himself, he decides the imprisoned Resistance pilot will have no choice but to help him escape in return for providing him with access to one of the fighters in the Finalizer hangar.
Releasing Dameron, FN-2187 escorts him away to a quiet service gantry, where he explains his plan. Upon asking Poe whether he will be able to pilot a First Order vessel, Dameron responds "I can fly anything."
Once in the hangar, the pair are able to sneak into one of the Special Forces TIE Fighters moored to the flight deck. With FN-2187 in the gunner's position, the TIE lifts off - still ancchored by it's moorings. Alerted to the rogue craft's attempts to lift off unauthorised, troops rush into the hangar and attempt to prevent the craft from leaving. FN-2187 returns fire, taking out an observation deck overlooking the hangar as he blasts away. As the heavy artiliary is brought in, the craft breaks free of the moorings and away from the Finalizer.
Enraged by this turn of events, on the bridge General Hux orders the Finalizer's gunners to take out the fighter. Crippled by the Finalizer's missiles, the TIE spirals down towards the planet below.
As impact looms, FN-2187 is able to eject from the fighter, which plows into the Jakku sands, engulfed by flames.

Regaining consciousness, FN-2187 stumbles to his feet as he scans his surroundings. Heading off over the dunes, he eventually sees smoke rising from the crash site and he makes his way towards the TIE. Poe is nowhere to be seen, but Finn is able to salvage the pilot's jacket from the wreckage.
Realising the First Order must already be on his trail, FN-2187 decides Poe will have to fend for himself - there is no time to search for him; FN-2187 needs to put some distance between himself and the stolen fighter.
Ditching his armour, Finn hopes he will at least looks less conspicuous. Eventually, he wanders on to an outcrop overlooking the trading post, following a speeder that rushes by him. Weighing up his options, he slips on the pilot's jacket and heads down towards the settlement.

Onboard the Finalizer, General Hux and Captain Phasma have identified FN-2187 as the troop who absconded in the TIE with the Resistance prisoner. They agree that locating the droid carrying the lightsaber remains the priority.

4. Rey Meets BB-8

Back at her own dwelling, carved into the remains of a fallen At-At walker, Rey is preparing some of the items she salvaged the previous day for sale. As she works, she observes a mother and child as they head off to the local spaceport. Rey smiles to herself as the shuttle eventually departs - hoping the family are getting the chance of a new life away from the harsh existence of Jakku.
Suddenly, she is alerted to a commotion nearby. Grabbing her staff, she sets out to see what all the fuss is about.
It is Teedo, a small rival scavenger who roams the Jakku wastelands atop a Luggabeast mount - he has captured BB-8. Rey sees that the droid is in distress, and decides to free it from Teedo's clutches, hoping she will be able to get a good price for the droid herself.
As she heads back to her home, ready to set off for the trading post she bonds with BB-8, explaining her situation to the droid. Both, it seems, are waiting to be picked up by someone, but Rey has been waiting a lot longer...

5. Follow Me

After a brief exchange with the trading post's law enforcer, Constable Zuvio, Rey attempts to sell some of her scrap, along with the BB-8, to local trader Unkar Plutt. The droid, however, seems intent on remaining with Rey and negotiations break down. As she leaves the central market gazebo, she is set upon by some of Unkar's thugs - if the droid will not be sold, they will take it for free. As Rey fights off the thugs, FN-2187 approaches, witnessing the fracas - he offers to help Rey. Rey proves she is capable of looking after herself and doubts the stranger is really a pilot, despite his clothing.
Somewhat insulted, FN-2187 follows Rey back into the market, as BB-8 suddenly becomes agitated and races out of the gazebo to scan the horizon. The distinctive shapes of a squadron of TIE fighters can be seen silhouetted against the Jakku sun.
The trio bolt back through the trading hub as the fighters open fire, destroying half of the gazebo and throwing them to the ground. Rey protests as FN-2187 grabs her by the arm and leads them through the marketplace, as troops now also pursue on foot.
Another blast sends the FN-2187 to the deck again. Realising the severity of the situation Rey extends her hand to the stranger to help him up, saying "follow me".
She leads them out of the market and in the direction of a small Quad Jumper vehicle as the TIEs cause more carnage behind them. Finn protests as they are led out into the open, arguing they cannot outrun their pursuers, but Rey explains she will be able to pilot the craft in front of them.
They arrive at the Quad Jumper just as the TIE's blasts destroy the vehicle.
Spotting another vessel parked across the lot, the trio bolt back in the opposite direction to board the Millennium Falcon...

6. Rey’s Theme

As Rey takes the controls, FN-2187 eases himself into one of the gun positions - both utter words of reassurance to themselves and Rey yells for BB-8 hold on as the Falcon blasts off. BB-8 is sent careering around the Falcon's corridor.
As the TIEs follow, Rey decides to take advantage of her knowledge of the Jakku landscape, leading the pursuit out to the Star Destroyer graveyard, whose innards she has navigated numerous times on foot. Another manoeuvre sends BB-8 flying again - this time the droid is able to support itself by firing grappling hooks into the corridor walls.
Rey is able to lose some of the fighters as she weaves the Falcon through the narrow spaces of the Super Star Destroyer.
As they emerge, the pursuit continues. FN-2187 finally gets to grips with the gun controls - he celebrates as he takes out the last fighter and the Falcon blasts away from Jakku.

On the Finalizer, Kylo Ren has learned of the failure to obtain the lightsaber on Jakku. In his personal chamber, he speaks to the charred remains of Darth Vader's helmet - vowing to "finish" what the legendary Sith Lord started...

7. The Falcon

Our heroes finally have a brief moment to reflect - revealing their names to each other. The trooper FN-2187 tells Rey he is called "Finn". The peace does not last long, however - the Falcon is caught in a tractor beam and is being pulled in by a much larger cruiser.
Finn, Rey and BB-8 attempt to hide, unaware of who or what awaits them in the cruiser's hangar. The Falcon is boarded by Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Despite being thrilled to be "back home", the pirates are annoyed to find stowaways onboard.
Working with the Guavian Gang, Solo was about to negotiate a deal to return the Falcon to his ownership - these kids may have just blown that deal.
Suddenly a warning alerts them to another ship approaching. The Kanjiklub Gang - the current owners of the Falcon - are furious with Solo's apparent trickery. The Falcon was supposed to be exchanged for the Guavian cargo, now it seems Solo has simply stolen the ship from them instead. Solo warns Finn and Rey to stay put as Guavian Enforcers arrive to deal with the Kanjiklub.
Suspecting the both may have been duped, the gangs turn on each other, and also eventually on Solo and the Wookiee - and a battle ensues...

8. That Girl with the Staff

Realising Solo is the only one to side with, Rey and Finn join in the battle. Rey is able to demonstrate how years of fending for herself on Jakku have made her pretty adept with that staff as she tackles some of the Kanjiklub thugs.
Chewbacca is injured in the crossfire, and Finn tends to Wookiee. Both Rey and Finn earn back some respect from Solo in the process...

9. The Rathtars

As the stand-off continues Rey is able to release the cargo the freighter is carrying - ferocious beasts called Rathtars. The Rathtars keep the gangs occupied while Solo decides to quit while he is ahead, racing back to the Falcon with Chewbacca, Rey and Finn and blasting away from the carnage onboard the freighter...

10. Finn’s Confession

Time for everyone to come clean. Finn explains about his past as a member of the First Order, and BB-8 reveals the precious item he is carrying. Solo immediately recognises the object as the lightsaber that once belonged to an old friend he had not seen in a long time.
Rey is curious - she has heard tales of the Jedi and the civil war. Han tells her the tales are all true - he was part of it.
Rey explains how she was abandoned on Jakku as a child, and was forced to fend for herself. She has spent her whole life hoping her parents may return one day.
The holoprojector on the Falcon's chess table is used to display a huge star chart. Han explains where they are going next - to Takodana to visit his former mentor...

11. Maz’s Counsel

The Falcon emerges from hyperspace above a lush blue/green planet covered with rich forests and vast lakes. Rey has never seen anything like this.
As they approach a castle on the banks of one of the planet's lakes, the young heroes ask who they are there to see. Solo points to a statue outside the castle. It is Maz Kanata, a thousand-year-old pirate with a unique gift.
Before they enter, Solo hands Rey a blaster, telling her she may need it - the castle can be a hostile place. Chewbacca remains on the Falcon.
Rey is soon drawn into a confrontation with one of the denizens of the watering hole. He takes Rey's blaster and threatens her with it. Chewbacca enters, with a bandage around his arm, tearing the thug's arm out of it's socket and handing it, blaster and all, back to Rey.
Maz emerges - announcing Solo has "25 bounties on his head".
Convincing Maz he doesn't want any trouble, he explains the events that brought them to Takodana and Maz is shown the lightsaber.
Maz quizzes Rey and Finn. When Finn comes under scrutiny, he becomes defensive - he has seen what the First Order are up to firsthand, he has no time for games. How can Maz know anything about him? Rey is relatively unfazed, she thinks she is a nobody who has no worth in the galaxy. Maz tells Rey she has seen her eyes before.
Finn reassures Rey, and reminds her how her "strength" has enabled him to get where he is, even though he didn't want to fight.

For Maz, a person's eyes truly are the window to the soul. Her own eyes too have unique powers. Using the Force, she is able to see beyond the "crude matter" - Leading them down to a chamber below the bar, she removes her goggles and begins to reveal the history of the lightsaber they have presented her with simply by focusing on it.
Going right back to the duel on Bespin between Vader and Skywalker when the lightsaber was first lost... to its discovery some time after by a humble farmer... how it changed hands through collecters and traders across the galaxy until it found its way to Lor San Tekka on Jakku. And then revealing something of the former owner of the lightsaber... how the Knights of Ren are hell bent on killing Skywalker and ending the Jedi line... seeking out the saber in the hope it may provide a clue to finding Skywalker himself.

Something Maz reveals upsets Rey. She does not want the lightsaber, or the responsibility it brings, and flees into the woods. Finn accepts the lightsaber...

12. The Starkiller

The First Order's sinister weapon is revealed. The full might of the First Order is on parade as General Hux leads a ceremony which will see Starkiller get it's first taste of action. But first, they must retrieve the lightsaber - they have tracked the Falcon to Takodana.

BB-8 has located Rey in the forest. As they are reunited, First Order forces appear overhead. Rey runs back down from the forest to a clearing in time to witness the castle coming under attack.
Han, Chewbacca, Finn and Maz emerge from the underground chamber to see the castle in ruins. Alongside the castle's limited security forces, they resist the First Order, but are soon overwhelmed and are rounded up by the First Order troops.

13. Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle

Kylo Ren arrives amid the battle, sensing something he heads into the forest where he encounters Rey. She stands her ground against her pursuer, allowing BB-8 to escape.

Meanwhile, the Resistance have been alerted to the events by their connections in the castle. Poe Dameron and his X-Wing squadron are racing across the lake to intercept the First Order. As our heroes' prospects look bleak, the X-Wings appear on the horizon. The Resistance target the First Order's troops on the ground as TIEs arrive to engage them above the castle ruins.
Maz urges Finn to use the lightsaber against the troops as our heroes gradually turn the tables and the First Order.

14. The Abduction

Back in the forest, Ren confronts Rey and decides she may be just as valuable to him as the droid, and she is captured and taken to Starkiller. Satisfied they have got what they came for, the First Order withdraw from Takodana.

15. Han and Leia

Our heroes are escorted back to the Resistance's hidden base on D'Qar. As they regroup, Finn is amazed to encounter Poe on the landing strip. The two exchange an understanding look as the Resistance prepares to plan their next move.
Reunited again, Han and Leia embrace.
In the war room the Resistance lay out their strategy. C-3PO, R2-D2 and Admiral Ackbar are present at the briefing. Fighters will engage with Starkiller head on. The Resistance has a "superweapon" of their own up their sleeves which will neutralise the First Order's capital ships.
Maz hands Leia her brother's lightsaber and explains the motives of the Knights of Ren.

16. March of the Resistance

The Resistance forces man their fighters and take off. Han says goodbye to Leia as he, Finn and Chewbacca head off on their own to rescue Rey.

Kylo Ren is attempting to probe Rey's mind as he did Poe Dameron's earlier. However, he is surprised to find that she too is powerful with the Force and is able to reverse his attempted probe. She learns that he aspires to be as powerful as Darth Vader, and mocks him for this. Ren, in turn, is shocked to find that someone so powerful is just a lowly scavenger.
Believing it is her destiny to join him in his quest he tells her not to resist the dark side and that "together they will destroy the Resistance and the last Jedi"...

17. Snoke

Shaken by his encounter with Rey, Kylo Ren leaves to communicate with the guy who is really pulling the strings, Supreme Leader Snoke, who is revealed to us for the first time.
When asked by Snoke if he has felt "an awakening in the Force", Ren replies that he has indeed. Snoke warns Ren that it is time to face his biggest test yet...

18. On the Inside

Solo has a cunning plan to bypass Starkiller's defences. It is a huge gamble, but he hopes to bring the Falcon out of hyperspace straight into the planet's atmosphere - beyond Starkillers perimeter defenses.
The plan works - just. As Solo slams on the brakes the Falcon crashes through the forest and eventually comes to rest.

Elsewhere, Poe Dameron leads the Resistance forces as they reach Starkiller. On the edge of the planet's atmosphere, they draw in the First Order's capital ships as they engage them head on.

Meanwhile, Rey uses her talents to escape from her cell and wanders out into the snowy environs surrounding Starkiller base...

19. Torn Apart

As Finn, Solo and Chewie advance on Starkiller, they encounter Rey.

Above the base, The Resistance play their trump card - once the First Order's cruisers are in position, Leia fires the Resistance superweapon, which batters its way through the Star Destroyers one by one. Kylo Ren watches the weapon blazing through the sky from an observation deck.
Furious, he returns to Rey's cell to find she is gone. He too wanders out of the base intent on finding her.
General Hux demands his retaliation. The base's perimeter defences are engaged, taking out every fighter in the atmosphere above Starkiller, regardless of their affiliation. The Resistance's secret weapon is immobilized and their fighter squadrons are decimated.

Dameron's squadron are still fighting fit though. As they swoop past, Finn, Chewbacca and co realise the Resistance are counting on them knocking out the Starkiller defenses - they enter the bunker and plant their charges.

20. The Ways of the Force

As they emerge from the bunker, Kylo Ren confronts our heroes.
Han attempts to reason with Ren, and it costs him his life.
Enraged, Chewbacca triggers the charges and the area around the bunker begins to explode as Finn and Rey flee into the forest. Kylo Ren, who has been shaken by the explosion, pursues.
Realising he has been running for too long now, Finn decides he must turn and face Ren.
Sensing someone ahead of him, Ren ignites his lightsaber and advances to be met by Finn brandishing Luke's lightsaber.

21. Scherzo for X-Wings

With the defenses disabled, Poe's squadron is free to launch their final assault on Starkiller as TIE fighters swoop to engage them above the planet's surface. Starkiller is almost ready to fire, targeting, not D'Qar, but the planet's star, wiping out the entire system the First Order believe the Resistance base to be located in.

Finn fights bravely but is soon overwhelmed and injured by Ren. Rey is tearful as Ren again urges her to surrender herself and help him destroy the last Jedi. Realising she has no choice, she takes the lightsaber and takes on Ren herself, catching Kylo off-guard with the ferocity of her attack.

As Poe takes out Starkiller base, the duel reaches its climax (which has got me stumped, to be honest)...

22. Farewell and the Trip

The First Order's plans have been thwarted. Han Solo's death is mourned. Rey accepts that it was destiny that the lightsaber came to her.
The droids have decoded the message hidden within the lightsaber by Lor San Tekka. The elderly scholar had managed to discern Luke's location. Rey says her goodbyes and vows to seek out Skywalker and become his pupil...

23. The Jedi Steps and Finale

A sombre Rey and Chewbacca pilot the Millennium Falcon as it approaches Hosnian Prime. The Falcon lands. Rey bids farewell to the Wookiee and ascends a flight of rocky steps hewn from the rugged landscape. At the top is a small stone dwelling. She enters, and is acknowledged by a bearded figure in the robes of a Jedi Master, shades of light grey and white in colour. In her hand is a lightsaber, which she presents to the master Jedi, as if presenting her credentials...

 

This soundtrack sounds awesome! The listing is revealing and confirms a lot of things, but I like how it avoids spoiling anything.

 

You need not worry.
As a refresher: For Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a scherzo was used for the motorcycle chase because of its rapid 6/8 rhythm... it's very propulsive and evokes galloping horses.

So it's great for action scenes!

Here is a terrific performance by the US Marine Band of "Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra", transcribed for band. John Williams even assisted with this transcription.

Even though The Force Awakens will obviously have a different composition for its scherzo, click play anyway, then close your eyes and imagine a squadron of X-Wings....

And here's John Williams original version of Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra. (I tried to embed this.. but it didn't embed. Here's the link.)

 

JEDI STEPS?


Still shaking head. If its true it could mean that Rey meets Luke at a Jedi Temple and like the show Rebels she begins her training. This may not be Lukes home after all.

 

Literally, she ascends a flight of steps to reach the Jedi.
Figuratively, she is taking steps towards becoming a Jedi.

 

How long until someone in a brick and mortar store leaks the listing from the cd case itself to either confirm or debunk the track listing from Amazon?

 

I see where you're coming from about the music possibility being too "playful" but that sequence will likely be one of the more lighthearted of the film. I'm sure the music will gain the necessary dramatic weight once the movie calls for it.

 

Either that, or an official source cites the name Rathtars - that would go some way towards confirming this...

 

These CDs and packaging for them are manufactured already. They have to manufacture them and then ship them all over the world to retail for the stores. They have three weeks. Same goes for the other material releasing on ~December 18.

 

Exactly... which is why I think we might get photographic evidence of the track list in the next week or two.