Album Review: Zootopia 2

 Zootopia 2
Music composed by Michael Giacchino
Music conducted by Marshall Bowen
Music orchestrated by Jeff Kryka, Logyn Okuda, Onree Gill, Melvin Jones
Music recorded at Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage
Total album running time: 67 minutes
Available on Walt Disney Records (digital)

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back, and so is Michael Giacchino. He returns to his Looney Tunes-style goofy scoring with all styles thrown in - sentimental themes, 70s funk, 60s retro vocals, bluegrass and large action cues. For some reason, the first Zootopia (2016)'s score never really caught my attention even with the frantic pace and stylings. For the sequel, there are some returning styles. Music for Judy and Nick return (even if they weren't prominent in the original), and the new thematic work for the Lynxleys and Gary D' Snake make the most sizeable impressions.

The album opens with the new Shakira song "Zoo"...it's fun and catchy like "Try Everything" but has no bearing on the score. The score begins with Zootopening with the buddy theme, used when Nick and Judy are on the case. The funky guitars and Hammond organ gives you a sense of what Giacchino has in mind. The Old Zoo Review brings lively brass into the funky rhythm while overlaying Judy's theme as they recap the previous film. Hot Fursuit opens with a lounge jazz style investigation theme turning into an action cue with vocal jazz like heard in Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) with a wailing trumpet ending. 

A Commuted Relationship uses Judy's theme in a groovy variation. Journey to the Journal uses the investigation theme on organ with an interlude for Judy's theme. Gary's theme is introduced halfway, before returning to the buddy theme. Snake Away Pt. 1 brings the action back as they chase Gary, with Gary's theme in prominent action mode with various flutes adding to his character's stylings. Wooden flute continue into Snake Away Pt. 2 as Gary's theme gets added depth before the cartoon action picks back up. 

Big Into Fashion brings back the swinging vocals as Judy and Nick get their disguises. A new musical style is introduced for the new location in Marsh Market with harmonicas, banjos and fiddles add to the bluegrass style. Snaking the Journal continues the marsh style through the frantic action set-piece chase. The featured instrumentalist's solo fiddle mixing with the flute are used to great effect, even in Giacchino's fun manic writing. Goofiness continues in Das Goats with some bouncy accordion music as the Alpine goats lead them up the mountain to the hideout lodge. 

Get Out of Lodge continues action as they escape from the falling lodge with some action strings and an ending sting. Wilde Caught opens with Gary's theme on wood flute and building to a bigger statement for Indian-esque orchestra. Cimbalom introduces the mysterious Lynxley theme - a more dramatic turn for the story. Cover Story leads with Gary's theme as he explains the backstory of reptile's erasure from Zootopia. The Lynxley theme makes more of a sinister appearance, with more repetition and expansion with Gary's theme returns at the close.

Wall of Judy opens with Gary's theme, building into a percussion-heavy action cue, bringing brass into statements of the Lynxley theme. The strings have some quick writing and help add the tension, ending with a brief fanfare cut short. The Weak Lynx gives a slight variation on Gary's theme, with stings leading into more subdued version of the Lynxley theme. Gary a Twain Shall Meet opens with a slow variation of Gary's theme and Judy's theme, as the characters are stuck in the Tundratown cold. The two themes intermix and speed up as they are able to unfreeze. The Lynxley theme appears and gets more forcefully punchy.

Bunny and Overshare begins with a very lovely sentimental version of Judy's theme for piano and solo cello - it sounds like Giacchino in his old Lost days. The funk material returns combined with instrumentation from the marsh. World's Worst Detention is carried by emotional, extended statements of Gary's theme, now also representing the reptile's original home. The sting at the end is classic Giacchino.

Our Differences Don't Make Any Difference brings the bright brass and Hammond organ to Judy's theme, leading to one more statement of Gary's theme on wood flute as his family is reunited. Zootopia 2 Suite starts with the slower version of Judy's theme which builds to a larger version. Next is Gary's theme, getting slightly different arrangements with expanded orchestration. The cimbalom brings back the Lynxley theme in a new waltz-style arrangement and violin solo. The last thing in the suite is a lighter Gary's theme, building to a big climax.

Bonus tracks include Lizard Lounge - source music featuring banjo and muted brass and Flash from the Past is a few seconds of fun when we see Flash arrive in his sports car.

Giacchino's score is much improved on the first one - even though it carries much of the same trademarks. Judy's theme reoccurs more, but Nick's theme doesn't appear much. The funky buddy and investigation themes only really are heard in the first half. The second half of the film is full of action cues and repeated statements of Gary's theme and the Lynxley theme. Thankfully those themes work nicely and are woven nicely into the score. It sounds like Giacchino enjoyed having both the frantic animated world meet the 60s and 70s styles he likes to use and the sentimental version of his new themes. If you enjoy the mixing of those styles, this score is for you.