Debney's score to the first film is a guilty pleasure and highly enjoyable work, so while I think the film is a sure-fire crap pile ready to be dumped on us, the score, however, will be the shinning part. And let's face it: the first film was pretty bad, although kind of a guilty pleasure as well. Until you get to the parts you forgot about.
In an age where keeping on the original composer appears to be the last thing on anyone’s mind, this is a very good thing.
Somewhat unrelated, I recently discovered Debney’s score for another early 90s children’s horror film, The Halloween Tree, and was blown away by how good it was. That one definitely needs a release of some kind.
Why does the cinematography have a cold and desaturated "Christopher Nolan" look? That's a major downgrade from the warm and colorful look the first film had. I'm curious about the score, but the lack of interest the filmmakers seem to have with visual consistency certainly doesn't bode well for the music.
The film..... well I guess some people may like this. It's interesting how the original film was supposed not go to theaters and the quality was actually fairly high, so Disney pushed it up. Now decades later the sequel is getting the treatment the original would have had.
Walt Disney Records to Release ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Soundtrack
Walt Disney Records will release the official soundtrack album for the Disney+ original movie Hocus Pocus 2. The album features the film’s original score composed by Academy Award nominee John Debney (The Passion of the Christ, The Jungle Book, Iron Man 2, Elf, The Emperor’s New Groove) who previously scored the original 1993 original movie. Also included are two new songs (artists and titles to be announced). The soundtrack is expected to be released digitally next week. A CD version is scheduled to come out on November 11 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Check back on this page for the full album details. Hocus Pocus 2 is directed by Anne Fletcher and stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy who return as the wicked Sanderson sisters. The comedy sequel will premiere on September 30 exclusively on Disney+.
I was really excited about this score until I read this in a new Debney interview, and now I'm not so sure:
"The new material, the new themes for this film, they're for a more contemporary audience that likes darker sounds. It’s the encapsulation of new material, the old material, and then the blending of the two, and it worked out really well.”
I, for one, don't like "darker sounds" -- but still hoping for the best.
I was really excited about this score until I read this in a new Debney interview, and now I'm not so sure:
"The new material, the new themes for this film, they're for a more contemporary audience that likes darker sounds. It’s the encapsulation of new material, the old material, and then the blending of the two, and it worked out really well.”
I, for one, don't like "darker sounds" -- but still hoping for the best.
Wouldn't it be cool if the "Darker sounds" were akin to the Mystery/discovery of the cave scenes of CutThroat Island. That's the kinda dark I would go for.
But it's 2022 so I aint holding my breath. As has been said, if you're over 40, today's art isn't being made for you.
Sounds like he's following a director's "Inception"/"The Social Network" temp track and tossing in a nearly-veiled 1990s sound in places. Kind of like how whoever shot this was obviously asked to mimic the cold, desaturated look of certain Nolan and Fincher movies. I don't know why the filmmakers asked for any of that, and I understand less how it got approved by the brass. Do "the kids" really want dark/cold-looking photography and ambient sounds for a "Hocus Pocus" film?
But it's 2022 so I aint holding my breath. As has been said, if you're over 40, today's art isn't being made for you.
I don't even think that is true anymore. I think certain studios who hold certain false beliefs and want to push narratives and agendas, don't strictly make certain films for people under forty, but rather make them to fit what they think.
I feel like anything Disney is putting out now isn't being made strictly for entertainment purposes but to push an agenda. And instead of original ideas, it's reboots, remakes, and sequels to childhood movies that shouldn't be touched.
Now available in any country where it is already Friday
1. Yes Salem, We’re Back! – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy 2. The Witches Are Back – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy 3. Skeleton Sam – LVCRFT 4. Planet Claire – The B-52’s 5. Ghosted – DBone and The Remains 6. Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell 7. Hocus Pocus Voo Doo – Big Bob Kornegay 8. Afraid of the Night – DBone and The Remains & Earl St. Clair 9. One Way or Another (Hocus Pocus 2 Version) – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy 10. Salem 1653 11. Banished Thee 12. I Don’t Have a Temper 13. Lighting the Black Flame 14. Sanderson’s Storm 15. Let’s Steal Their Souls! 16. Salt Bags 17. The Power Spell 18. Cobweb the Cat/Hourglass 19. Digging Up Billy 20. Lift the Curse and Let Us Out 21. I Need Your Head/Meeting the Mayor 22. Forbidden Wood 23. Is Becca a Witch? 24. Finishing the Spell 25. Sarah and Mary Disappear 26. Making Amends with Gilbert 27. Cobweb Canole 28. Hocus Pocus Main Theme
