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A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

With films like Gold Diggers, Young Indiana Jones, Wild America, Return to Neverland and The Jungle Book 2 on his resumé, Joel McNeely is obviously something of an expert when it comes to scoring family adventure films.  His music so often has such a delightful, magical air that it is not difficult to see why he is so often picked for these projects; perhaps at one time the labels stuck on him about just being a Williams clone had some slight merit (though it would surely be difficult to get away with not being a Williams clone on McNeely's breakout project, Young Indiana Jones) but looking back at his body of work as a whole, it is certainly not fair in any way.

Thinking of Flipper brings back many fond memories of youth, with the adventures of Sandy, Bud and their dolphin friend making ideal Saturday morning viewing when I was a wee lad.  Sadly, changing times and innocence lost meant that when it was turned into a movie in 1996 with Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan it just didn't capture children's imagination in the same way, but nobody could accuse Joel McNeely of doing anything but his best to try to do just that.  His music shines through with the exuberance of innocent youth, of magical larger-than-life adventures.

The opening title piece is slightly atypical of the score as a whole, with some wordless vocals provided by Crosby, Stills and Nash being a rather odd way of opening the tale.  Later on, it's the delightful adventure music ("The Secret Weapon", "Attack of the Hammerhead") and magical water-inspired pieces ("Flipper Ballet") that really shine.  OK, there is nothing earth-shattering here, it's just great old-fashioned family fun, a score that wears a smile on its face and just hits you with its delightful melodies and warm heart - and sometimes, there's really nothing wrong with that.

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Tracks

1. In the Summertime Shaggy (3:59)
2. Do It Again The Beach Boys (2:25)
3. It's Not Unusual Tom Jones (1:59)
4. Tipitina Professor Longhair (3:35)
5. Flipper Matthew Sweet (2:07)
6. Main Title (3:47)
7. Abandoned and Alone (1:46)
8. Sandy Meets Flipper (2:09)
9. Flipper Ballet (3:09)
10. He Belongs at Sea (2:59)
11. Marv Meets Flipper (1:57)
12. The Secret Weapon (2:59)
13. Sandy Searches (3:56)
14. Attack of the Hammerhead (2:51)
15. Flipper Goes Home (3:34)