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John Williams stuff all sounds the same because it's what's needed for the movie. He's quite capable of writing different, unfamiliar stuff. The Star Wars Cantina and The Terminal are nothing like Indiana Jones or Jurassic Park.
People take what Spielberg wants his blockbusters to sound like, and assume it's John Williams showing a lack of ability and talent. They don't stop to think that maybe he's doing what he's paid to do and give the director what he wants.
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Partial truth. John Williams motifs are usually the same though and often use stolen melodies.
But yes, director influence plays a big part. This is partly why Elfman has a bad rep. Under Burton's direction, all of his stuff sounds like
The Nightmare Before Christmas. Truthfully, TNBC is probably my least favorite Elfman score. Even though his scores for
Batman Returns and
Edward Scissorhands are along the same lines, I still prefer them to TNBC.
Danny: "So Tim, what motifs you want me to do this time?"
Tim: "Anything with xylophones, glockenspiels, celesta, tubular bells, and boys choir will be fine"
Danny: *sigh*
I just don't understand why John Williams is at the top of the ladder as far as film composers go. I assume it's because of his ability to create memorable "hummable" melodies that stick with you, and not so much for instrumentation. I just find him highly overrated, and even though his melodies
are memorable, I don't really
enjoy them.