Cocoon: The Return

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

If the soundtrack Cocoon: The Return was composed during classic hits like Willow and The Land Before Time, then I forgive Horner for ripping simply the entire score Cocoon. At least if you consider somebody accepting it of Horner, since it simply is the one man who everyone watches directly for originality. And true, the sequel score is capturing perhaps 70% of the original, even downright passages of melody. Yet, it all works to give the movie the heart of the original which isn't a surprise since the theme is working its way into some wonderful moments. Yet the rest of the score can perhaps be seen as not so good as the original. And even if the main theme and the fanfares are here, they just feel like a rehash of everything we've heard from the first one. Several years ago I would have said YES in getting this score, since it was the only Cocoon score to be found on the market. Today the original is the only one available on the commercial circuit and the sequel is the hard to get one. So, only die hard fans of both Horner and the movie should get their hands on it, if they so rightfully can.

It all begins with the main theme version that ended in concert mood the first score and opening in concert form the sequel namely 'Returning Home'. It is a wonderful track and the theme once more oozes of pride yet not that astonishing as heard on the original. Still, it remains a wonderful track. The swing tracks which are presented by two long cues are more jazzy and a lot more swinging then its predecessor on Cocoon and this counts especially for 'Basketball Swing', being even at times as fun as Zimmer's jazz tour de force on A League of their Own. The main theme performances equally appear when something emotional or magical is happening on screen and wonderful yet short performances in 'Joe's Gift' and 'Jack's Future' give this score its good warm feeling. Especially notice how well the magic is starting in the latter through the piano, string and full main theme performance. Still the end is the most riveting of all and equally offers these sensational fanfares we are so accustomed to hear of Horner. Yet sadly they are all heard before, because 'Rescue / The Ascension' is loaded with signs from the original or as some might call them, rip-offs and frankly sometimes they last for a whole thematic idea, even if some ideas are completely new to enjoy. Yet this is a sequel to a film and it is allowed like many other scores have proven this (Back to the Future II, Superman II, Jaws 2). It was only a matter of getting the rest to be original and interesting and that is the problem of the score, since they don't hold a candle to the original. It still remains a load of fun that last track.

I count the score as one of those many efforts that make the movie proud and use the good stuff from everything the original was blessed with. Yet, they are usually weaker in their overall strength. Not speaking of the quality of the music per se but mostly through the interesting experience that is linked with the originality factor. Tracks like 1 and 6 would have gotten an "excellent" marking yet lose that since they offer nothing we haven't heard before. The last track is somewhat different because it offers both the main theme as the fanfares that make it at least a nice finisher. Even pay attention to the sneaky music heard in 'Remembrances / The Break - In' resembling the best of Sneakers in a way. Cocoon: The Return is easily a lovely score but too much of it is used that reminds you of the original to make it such a score to recommend. I sincerely recommend it to those that like it but since it is obscure to get, it might not be worthy of the effort. I remain with my impression, Cocoon remains a heartwarming score full of beauty and Cocoon: The Return equally possesses that. Its only the point of which one came first.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Returning Home (6.10)

2. Taking Bernie To The Beach (4.33)

3. Joe's Gift (8.08)

4. Remembrances / The Break - In (8.29)

5. Basketball Swing (7.01)

6. Jack's Future (2.46)

7. Growing Old (1.57)

8. Good Friend (3.20)

9. Rescue / The Ascension (11.33) Excellent Track

Total Length: 53.59

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: James Horner ===