The 7 Most Surprising Opinions On John Williams's Film Music (From The Maestro Himself)

The film music world is buzzing in late 2025, not just with new scores, but with a renewed appreciation for the maestro, John Williams, following the release and critical acclaim of the 2024 documentary, Music by John Williams. As the composer celebrates a career spanning over seven decades, the opinions surrounding his work—from critics, fellow composers, and even Williams himself—reveal a fascinating paradox: the man who defined modern blockbuster scoring once harbored a deep skepticism about the genre itself.

This article dives into the freshest, most current, and often surprising perspectives on the musical legacy of John Williams, examining the critical consensus of 2024/2025 and the profound influence he continues to exert on the art of film scoring. We explore the nuanced opinions that solidify his standing as arguably the greatest film composer of all time.

John Williams: A Biographical Profile and Career Milestones

• Full Name: John Towner Williams
• Born: February 8, 1932 (currently 93 years old in 2025)
• Birthplace: Floral Park, New York, U.S.
• Education: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Juilliard School
• Spouse(s): Barbara Ruick (m. 1956; d. 1974), Samantha Winslow (m. 1980)
• Children: Jennifer, Mark, Joseph Williams (lead singer of Toto)
• Notable Roles: Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra (1980–1995); Laureate Conductor (1995–Present)
• Major Awards: 5 Academy Awards (54 nominations, the most-nominated living person), 25 Grammy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards, 7 BAFTA Awards, Kennedy Center Honors (2004), AFI Life Achievement Award (2016)
• Key Collaborators: Steven Spielberg (over 30 films), George Lucas
• First Major Film Score: Daddy-O (1958)
• Iconic Scores: Jaws (1975), Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Superman (1978), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Indiana Jones franchise, Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler's List (1993), Harry Potter franchise (first three films).

The Maestro's Own Paradoxical View: "I Never Liked Film Music Very Much"

One of the most revealing and often-cited recent opinions on the film music genre comes directly from John Williams himself. In a candid reflection on his early career, the composer who has defined the symphonic sound of cinema admitted to a surprising initial frustration with the medium. He stated that he "never liked film music very much" early on.

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This sentiment stemmed from the common early-career complaint among composers: working with directors who lacked a fundamental understanding of music. Williams found the process frustrating until he began his legendary collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, a partnership that provided the creative freedom necessary for his monumental scores to flourish. This opinion highlights a crucial aspect of his work: Williams didn't just write film music; he elevated it to a high art form, bridging the gap between the classical concert hall and the commercial cinema.

Another profound self-reflection involves his process. Williams often speaks of the necessity of serving the film and the director's vision first. His opinion is that the music should be integral to the storytelling, not merely a background accompaniment. This commitment to narrative function is precisely why scores like Jaws (1975), with its two-note motif, and the sweeping themes of Star Wars (1977) are seen as essential components of their respective films, not just successful soundtracks.

Critical Consensus 2024/2025: The Documentary Effect

The release of the 2024 documentary, Music by John Williams, has ignited a fresh wave of critical analysis and public discussion about his body of work. The overwhelmingly positive reviews from major critics and publications in 2024 and 2025 serve as a powerful affirmation of his unparalleled legacy.

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1. The "Best of All Time" Opinion is Undisputed: A key opinion emerging from the reviews is the near-unanimous declaration that John Williams is, and will likely remain, the best film composer of all time. Critics note that no other composer has created as many memorable and universally recognized scores. His ability to craft melodies that define an entire half-century of film-going is frequently cited as his unique genius.

2. The Revitalization of the Symphonic Score: Critics consistently credit Williams with single-handedly revitalizing the grand symphonic score in the 1970s. After a period where film music leaned toward jazz, pop, or more experimental, minimalist sounds, Williams brought back the lush, Romantic-era orchestral tradition. His scores for Star Wars and Superman were not just successful; they set the template for the blockbuster sound for decades to follow, influencing every major composer who came after him.

3. The Power of the Leitmotif: A deep-dive opinion into his compositional technique focuses on his masterful use of the leitmotif—a musical theme associated with a particular character, object, or idea. Critics argue that his skill in creating distinct, emotionally resonant themes (e.g., the soaring theme for E.T., the menacing brass for Darth Vader, the heroic march for Indiana Jones) allows his music to function as a form of non-verbal dialogue, giving fresh eyes to the films themselves.

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The Enduring Legacy: How Williams Influenced a Generation of Composers

The most current and compelling opinions often come from the contemporary composers who grew up listening to the John Williams soundtracks. His influence is not just acknowledged; it is a foundational pillar for at least two generations of successful composers in film and the contemporary classical field.

4. Inspiration for the Modern Orchestral Sound: Composers like Eric Whitacre and Peter Boyer speak openly about how Williams’s music inspired their own artistic journeys. Williams's scores for films like Jurassic Park and Home Alone were formative experiences, demonstrating the power of the orchestra in a modern context.

5. The "Williams Effect" on Genre: His influence is not restricted to a single genre. While he is most famous for adventure and sci-fi (like Close Encounters of the Third Kind), his scores for serious dramas, such as the haunting, minimalist violin theme for Schindler's List, showcase his versatility and deep respect for the classical tradition. The opinion is that he set a standard of musical quality that transcends genre boundaries.

6. The Composer as Storyteller: Modern composers view Williams as the ultimate storyteller. They note that his compositions don't just underscore a scene; they actively participate in the narrative, often telling the audience what the characters are feeling or foreshadowing events. This elevates the film score from a technical requirement to a critical component of cinematic artistry.

7. The Concert Hall Acceptance: A final, significant opinion is the unique respect Williams commands in the concert world. Unlike many film composers, his music is regularly performed by major symphony orchestras globally, not just in "Pops" concerts, but in serious classical programming. This acceptance validates the opinion that his work is not merely commercial movie music but is a significant contribution to 20th and 21st-century orchestral music, cementing his legacy as a true American composer.

The current consensus is clear: John Williams's music is an essential part of our cultural fabric. Despite his own early reservations about the genre, his work has become the definitive voice of cinematic heroism and wonder, inspiring countless musicians and enriching the lives of millions of film-goers.