I am a longtime devoted fan of composer John Williams. This fact colors my review.
First, the music performed at this concert is comprised of concert or symphonic suites. Some of the pieces were arranged at the time of the original score releases; others were arranged between the film releases or since, for performance in the concert hall. As such, they vary from the presentation in the films because of the need for every piece to be self-contained, to have a neat beginning and end. Also, while every performance is different, especially with different conductors, the tempi vary significantly from those in the film because they do not attempt to match it to any given scene.
Here's whats good about Star Wars in concert:
What IS perfomed is great music! While a couple of the pieces on the program (Star Wars Main Title and Imperial March) are regularly performed at symphony pops or film concerts around the world, most of the music is never heard in live performance. This is why I went and it's more than enough for those who go to these concerts just to get their geek on (and there were MANY) and for anyone just out for a nice evening listening to some great orchestral film music. In a nice touch, Anthony Daniels provides narration in the unmistakeable tones he lent C3PO in the films.
Here's what's wrong with Star Wars in Concert: Is it that much of a stretch to wish that a Star Wars in Concert event would capture the essence of the film presentation of the original scores as much as possible? This program, despite the inclusion of MOST of the significant themes from the six films, does not accomplish this. At very few points did I feel drawn out of the mindset of "Oh, I'm at a concert, listening to the symphony." The addition of cheesy, whirlwind montages of seconds-long clips from throughout the series and hundreds of geeks in the audience waving their plastic lightsabers cannot draw you into the magical marriage between the music of John Williams and the Star Wars films. This program is flawed in the same way just about every film music symphony concert is: it's too much conventional symphony suite presentation and not enough original film score!
What ELSE is wrong with Star Wars in Concert? Why, when the original films AND scores were so popular with both critics and the masses, dilute the experience by spreading out the content over six films' worth of material? Again, when this approach is taken, there is little option but to present only the super-familiar themes in suite arrangements. Yes, it was all composed by John Williams but there is a clear difference between the music he wrote at the peak of his creativity for some of the greatest films ever made and what he wrote a generation later for decidedly mediocre movies. Also, where was Han Solo and the Princess, otherwise known as the Love Theme from Empire Strikes Back? This is one of the greatest film themes ever composed, and it is only given a cameo appearance at the end of the Asteriod Field piece!
Everything I've written so far is about the CONTENT of the concert, which is true no matter where it is performed. Now, about this specific performance:
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra has a very good reputation. For the most part, I would say this performance validated that reputation. However, there was one GLARING defect in the orchestra's performance: the French Horn! I know it's a difficult instrument: that's not the point. The point is that this is an expensive concert to attend, performed by a supposedly world class orchestra. The French Horn was BADLY out of tune during what should have been its shining moment, Princess Leia's theme. The addition of several cracks during his/her solo meant that one of the best moments in the concert was RUINED! These kind of errors should not happen in full-time, professional orchestras.
The sound of the orchestra was beautiful during the softer moments but very harsh during the iconic, brassy moments that first come to mind when you think of Star Wars. And there are lots of those moments. This is because the speakers are set way too loud! Ideally, it would be entirely acoustic, but in an outdoor venue like the Hollywood Bowl they are an unfortunate necessity.
The other thing that really bothered me about this performance is that the concert started half an hour late! Then the intermission went twenty minutes longer than it was supposed to. Those seats are not very comfortable and it's a marathon getting-to and leaving the concert. It all adds up to leave you exhausted at the end of the night!
The Hollywood Bowl is a beautiful and historic venue and a worthy attraction to visit while in LA. It is nice that they let you bring food in to enjoy during the concert. One word of advice for those who take the shuttle bus: when exiting the venue, you must go under the marquee to get out to the buses. It can be hard to see the stair entrance when there are so many people leaving at once. Don't go down the hill with the crowds toward Hollywood!