This is an immensely enjoyable score from Goldsmith and is free of bombast even though there is some action mixed in. The main theme is lyrical and pleasant, albeit somewhat sentimental. The entire score is like that really. A lot of it brings memories of Forrest Gump and indeed many of Gump's themes seem to bear a striking resemblance to those from Rudy. The overall effect is just as sugary. Fortunately for Goldsmith, he gets more time to expand theme themes unlike in Gump where the tune will start and then it's the end of the track. There isn't a great deal of variety to the score, it has to be said. Aside from the main theme, there is a quicker moving theme that is mostly used to support the football scenes that appear in the film. The only thing I wonder about this theme is that it's not quite as kinetic as I would imagine. The end track, especially, I expected to be much more exciting. Everyone raves about that track (including all those at the recording with stories of bursting into tears and applauding - all very melodramatic and difficult to see why as well). The problem with The Final Game is that it starts reasonably quietly, builds a bit, but the plateau seems to be a bit low in terms of energy. I hoped for it to be desperately exciting, but was a little disappointed. Still, this is an enjoyable score that fans of Gump, at least, will like and it's nice to hear something by Jerry that isn't all loud action cues.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 36:48