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The formula of the score doesn't require much analytical thought. Poledouris' two themes are simple in their chord construction, one for the boy and other for the landscape of Montana. Performed by the certainly adequate, but not overwhelming Seattle Session Orchestra, the majority of material composed includes light woodwind solos with string overlays. It is pleasant material, harmonious in almost all circumstances, and contains the expected gravity of weight that Poledouris often provides with supporting brass whole notes. The overbearing, dramatic bass evident in his stronger action scores and the forthcoming Les Misérables, however, is absent. The highlights of the score exist when the boy's imagination of knights, swords, and warriors takes over and Poledouris injects the otherwise subdued score with shades of timpani and brass that hail back to the days of Conan the Barbarian. While brief in their outbursts, these cues for riding scenes are symphonically impressive and well worth the price of the album for Poledouris enthusiasts. Explosions of brass and snare occur exclusively during the four storytelling tracks of the album, with an additional short burst of rhythmic spirit from Quigley Down Under and Lonesome Dove in "To the Rodeo." No other "local flavor" is really used in the score. The woodwind section receives, as usual for the composer, some interesting performances at the limits of its ranges. The delicate sensitivity utilized by Poledouris for the mass of underscore has a hint of James Horner's thematic approach for children's films, never deviating much from the same lofty, adolescent harmonies throughout the score. Poledouris had a knack for rarely repeating sequences of music or obvious styles in his later efforts, and while Amanda is no exception, the score offers little in instrumentation or extended, rousing themes to distinguish itself in his career. While therefore a lightweight when compared to Free Willy and Poledouris' other children's efforts, Amanda remains an enjoyable afternoon listen. Even with the film's monumental failure, the score was released in limited numbers by the Belgian label Prometheus in 2000, available only through soundtrack specialty outlets.  ***   @Amazon.com: CD or Download

Bias Check:

For Basil Poledouris reviews at Filmtracks, the average editorial rating is 3.54 (in 35 reviews) and the average viewer rating is 3.29 (in 36,752 votes). The maximum rating is 5 stars.

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