Perhaps lighter fare than Williams is used to writing for, but he, as always, does a good job creating a festive atmosphere as well as the comedy action. The best parts of this score are the two short tracks that cover the scenes as the rest of the family try and make the plane. I am convinced that these two sections were temp tracked with The Trepak from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky and as such a pastiche of this is produced, but they are fast and furious with some very fast violin figures that really test the orchestra, they do, of course perform splendidly. The carols all fit nicely into the framework, including the ones not composed by Williams. As my only comedy score, I have no real benchmarks, but if The Gramophone Film Music CD Guide is anything to go by, this is a top rate example of this type of score.

Rating ~

  1. Main Titles - "Somewhere in my Memory" (4:53)
  2. Holiday Flight (0:59)
  3. The House (2:27)
  4. Star of Bethlehem (2:51)
  5. Man of the House (4:33)
  6. White Christmas (2:40) (Song)
  7. Scammed by a Kindergartner (3:55)
  8. Please Come Home for Christmas (2:41) (Song)
  9. Follow that Kid! (2:03)
  10. Making the Plane (0:52)
  11. O Holy Night (2:48)
  12. Carol of the Bells (1:25)
  13. Star of Bethlehem - reprise (2:59)
  14. Setting the Trap (2:16)
  15. Somewhere in my Memory (1:04)
  16. The Attack on the House (6:53)
  17. Mom Returns - Finale (4:19)
  18. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (3:05) (Song)
  19. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - End Titles (4:15)