Filmtracks.com
by Christian Clemmensen

IMAX films often provide film music fans with spectacular scores composed by a great variety of composers. Newcomer Alan Williams' score for the Oscar-nominated film Amazon is no exception, with orchestral and ethnic performances of epic proportions. The score for Amazon equals the grand scope of the film, and provides some very enjoyable themes and ethnic sub-themes as well.

The main theme of Amazon is without a doubt a variation, in some form or another, of James Newton Howard's main title for Waterworld, with an entire sequence of the Waterworld theme accompanied by the same deep percussion. Nonetheless, it is a very effective and encompassing theme, and in many ways, it is an even better performance than that in Howard's Waterworld. Once past that theme, Williams' score is very original. The six minutes of music that make up tracks 7 through 9 are absolutely incredible. Featuring a soothing choir, flute solos, and a percussion-driven repreise of the main title, these tracks a must-have for any compilation. Track 11 is also noteworthy, with a brief choral cue reminiscent of Silvestri's The Abyss.

Track 9 is particularly interesting. It adds a heavier brass influence to produce a remarkably Goldsmith-like outburst of theme. In many ways, Amazon will appeal to film music enthusiasts who enjoyed such Goldsmith works as Medicine Man and The Ghost and the Darkness. Even though the score is strictly orchestral, some of the slower passages remind me of James Horner's Vibes (or what Vibes would have sounded like had Horner had chosen --or had the money-- to compose it for orchestra). These softer sequences of purely ethnic material can sometimes become a bit long, but on the whole, Williams inserts interesting cues around every corner.

It is because of this talent for variation that Williams succeeds with Amazon. The final two tracks are jubilant and add a nice touch to the album. The majestic aspect of this album is difficult to dismiss, and it makes me wish I had seen the film on the big (really big!) screen. I recommend this album to you, IMAX fan or not! It has every element a score for this film should have: native woodwinds, varied percussion, choir, and orchestra. And when combined, Williams provides us with a very enjoyable album.