“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …”

These words were our first introduction to the “Star Wars” universe. Our next clue was the thundering John Williams Score. The soundtrack has always been an integral part of the “Star Wars” legend, and “Episode 1” is no different.

An obvious challenge for Williams was to introduce new themes while still using the same motifs he had created in the original trilogy. Overall, Williams has done a very good job of that.

By opening the soundtrack with the same title as the original trilogy, he provides a reminder of the world we are about to re-enter.

But Williams uses sounds from his original pallet in other ways as well. This is most notable in “Anakin’s Theme,” probably the most intriguing piece on the soundtrack.

It begins with very gentle, airy sounds appropriate for a young boy. As the theme progresses, Williams brings in intervals from “Darth Vader’s Theme” (also frequently called “The Imperial March”).

The effect is to conjure a sense of foreboding in the listener. We meet an innocent young boy, but we are painfully aware of the evil that lurks within him. Williams also introduces us to a striking new range of sounds. We are jarred early on by the vocal power of the London Voices on “Duel of the Fates.”

If there is one criticism I have of the album, it is that many of the pieces bleed together in the memory. Whether that’s a fault of the composer or simply the nature of scoring for film is open for debate.

Probably the greatest strength of “Episode 1: The Soundtrack” is it’s ability to open our imaginations. As we listen to the soundtrack, we picture in our minds thrilling chases and epic light saber battles.

Some critics will jump on this and say it is good only as a nostalgia trip. But to touch our imaginations is something that most soundtracks will never do, so even if all “Episode 1” does is remind us of the first time we saw “Star Wars,” it is enough.

four stars out of five