Perhaps what sets Jack apart from any number of gooey eyed Marc Shaiman or Alan Silvestri sugarfests is its eclectic selection of weirdness. From the opening Jack Conga, Kamen throws in a range of strange instruments (kazoos, calliopes, bells and whistles amongst others) playing self consciously wacky tunes that aren't really good enough to be memorable, but seem to be over the top for their own sake. This is not to say that they aren't enjoyable on some level, indeed when the Conga becomes the Scherzo, the results are fun without being overtly annoying. The main theme does, rather unfortunately, sound like an outtake from Kamen's masterwork, Mr Holland's Opus, which was composed the same year. Although ostensibly a brief and delicate tune, there are some more comedic slants, notably Louie's Mom and Treehouse Collapses, but it's the more sensible arrangements such as the lengthy Cello Jack that are most affecting.
Some of the more outrageous ideas work, even if they seem like they ought to be from a different film entirely; The Basketball Game has a slightly street sound, with various samples and percussion, while the second half of Treehouse Collapse includes a curious vocal passage which is unexpected and strange. It seems even more out of place when followed by the deeply sincere Jack's Collapse, which paints an understated, melancholy musical picture. Maybe the wildly different tones are valid within the film, but on disc if becomes disjointed, with the playful pulling against the drama, but neither really complimenting each other. It's a bold move to include such obviously comedic music - the usual rule is to largely play it straight, especially if there's a deeper emotional tow to the story, but Jack doesn't quite work, even if the moments are often good on their own terms.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 37:52