It would appear that the Star Trek franchise has returned to Jerry Goldsmith as it's composer of choice and if the quality of the films hasn't exactly been peaking to incredible new heights, at least we are guaranteed a decent Trek score every couple of years as each Next Generation Trek is wheeled out. Insurrection is a more light hearted adventure than First Contact about happy clappy aliens and their fountain of youth planet and those trying to exploit it. The score is a nice mixture of the gentle Insurrection theme, a pretty melody for harp and strings which is introduced over the opening titles. Not hugely memorable, but perfect for the hippy aliens and their utopian life.

Insurrection actually has more outright action cues than First Contact, The Drones Attack and The Riker Maneuver being the highlights which, while similar to US Marshals with low end strings and a nifty echoing synth effect, are exciting and certainly pick up the pace. The Healing Process is actually mainly the final action showdown that comes to an exciting climax before a gentle epilogue leads into the Star Trek: The Motion Picture main theme surrounding the Insurrection theme. The recording here introduces Goldsmith's slightly different performance of the Star Trek theme with a sudden drop in volume and then crescendo during the three note descending part of the melody which sounds quite good here, although his subsequent more exaggerated rendition just doesn't sound quite right.

The quieter moments make good use of the main theme, although there isn't a great deal of variation. It's a more organic score than First Contact that flows extremely well through the gentle opening to the action and exciting finale. Goldsmith always seems to get better reviews for Star Trek scores and while it's very enjoyable, isn't really hugely better than some of his action scores of the same time. However, a worth addition to the Star Trek series, but hopefully Goldsmith will get something a bit more juicy for his next deep space adventure.

Rating ~

  1. Ba'Ku Village (6:52)
  2. In Custody (1:14)
  3. Children's Story (1:47)
  4. Not Functioning (1:45)
  5. New Sight (5:44)
  6. The Drones Attack (4:10)
  7. The Riker Maneuver (3:09)
  8. The Same Race (1:16)
  9. No Threat (4:12)
  10. The Healing Process (7:15)
  11. End Credits (5:25)

Total Time ~ 44:49