Batman Forever
Elliot Goldenthal
" it works, but schizophrenia can appear when listening to this score, just watch what happened to Jim Carrey "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
When Joel Schumacher revised Batman to a more heroic lighter side, Danny Elfman wasn't considered (or perhaps wasn't interested) to continue the Batman saga. So at the time, new talented voice Elliot Goldenthal entered the scoring stage to deliver us his interpretation of Batman and his sidekick Robin. Batman Forever, starring also the Riddler and Two Face became a successful movie financially, but not really critically. While Elliot Goldenthal had to box up against a gothic sound and theme that carried all that darkish Gothman weight, director Schumacher couldn't really outdo Burton's beloved Batman.
Elliot had the opportunity (or burden) to come up with a new Batman theme, and in a way he has succeeded in bringing an equally impressive one, evidently carrying his brassy trademark approach. Each time this fanfare throws itself with immense proportion onto the screen, you can't help but marvel at its wonderful potential. So "Main Titles and Fanfare" is the wonderful opening track with the fanfare for Batman, the clangs and then the fanfare for the cave itself through light supportive choir. Oh it does the trick alright. Other tracks where this theme appears are spotted in "Fledermausmarschmusik" (what's in a name) and "Descent".
Yet when it comes down to wackiness, Goldenthal is as quirky as Elfman. Take for instance the wackiness that is Mr. E, (short for Enigma and played by Jim Carrey). The track "Nygma Variations (An Ode to Science)" is an example of every musical genre imaginable. This from dark piano music to organ, from out of tone violins to carnival esque music ending with B-movie inspired Martian music. Simply put, it was at the time the epitome of Goldenthal's harder to appreciate music. And frankly these examples are still a little too much. There are of course others in the genre, the frenetic action pieces with these feisty strings and jazzy trumpet blasts, which bring "Perpetuum Mobile" and "Gotham City Boogie" to life.
And there are tracks as well that are more uninteresting than intrusive. "Mr. E's Dance Card" uses carnival esque tones, just like the track before it that put us into the crazy inventive world of Enigma himself. This is a moment that's easier to skip.
Yet there are examples as well where everything comes together wonderfully well. "Two-Face Three Step" is an intriguing display of Goldenthal's capabilities. Whether violins bring a stunning alternate version on the Batman theme or the festivity theme (used for the party in the following film), the sometimes total wackiness is replaced by more intriguing orchestral and instrumental music.
Further on, "Chase Noir" and "Mouth to Mouth Nocturne" bring forward Nicole Kidman's musical theme. She receives a very interesting (again) variation of the Batman theme, this time on piano. The other one captures an over the top classical string moment of emotional magnitude. And while the sleaziness is supporting Chase's character, the Gotham figure receives the wondrous string work brought out of Sphere in "The Perils of Gotham" and "Under the Top".
Basically there is a lot you can say about this score.. The themes are expanded with the fanfare for the villain, the instrumentation is equally expanded the further you keep listening (through harmonica, accordion, bells, violins or piano), and there's about every possible variation on the main theme you can expect in each track. This also makes sure that each track has something unique to present, making Elliot Goldenthal as said a very original composer indeed.
The downparts are the orchestral carnage, even if it's more or less approachable if you compare it with several other scores of him. But this is no easy score to listen to, and his second Batman score (Batman & Robin) is much easier to appreciate. Overall, Batman Forever is Elliot Goldenthal in a nutshell. It can work in either form and it will please or displease you no matter what you think of him overall. Patience is no virtue since the score starts immediately, ends like it begun and gives no rest for the needy. Perhaps your ticket to heaven, if not your calling card to Enigma's brain controller.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles and Fanfare (1.50) Excellent track
2. Perpetuum Mobile (0.54)
3. The Perils of Gotham (3.00)
4. Chase Noir (1.44)
5. Fledermausmarschmusik (1.14)
6. Nygma Variations (An Ode to Science) (6.02)
7. Victory (2.36)
8. Descent (1.06)
9. The Pull of Regret (2.49)
10. Mouth to Mouth Nocturne (2.13)
11. Gotham City Boogie (2.02)
12. Under the Top (5.41)
13. Mr. E's Dance Card (3.20)
14. Two-Face Three Step (2.20)
15. Chase Blanc (1.23)
16. Spank Me! Overture (2.45)
17. Holy Rusted Metal (1.50)
18. Batterdammerung (1.20)
Total Length: 44.22
Elliot had the opportunity (or burden) to come up with a new Batman theme, and in a way he has succeeded in bringing an equally impressive one, evidently carrying his brassy trademark approach. Each time this fanfare throws itself with immense proportion onto the screen, you can't help but marvel at its wonderful potential. So "Main Titles and Fanfare" is the wonderful opening track with the fanfare for Batman, the clangs and then the fanfare for the cave itself through light supportive choir. Oh it does the trick alright. Other tracks where this theme appears are spotted in "Fledermausmarschmusik" (what's in a name) and "Descent".
Yet when it comes down to wackiness, Goldenthal is as quirky as Elfman. Take for instance the wackiness that is Mr. E, (short for Enigma and played by Jim Carrey). The track "Nygma Variations (An Ode to Science)" is an example of every musical genre imaginable. This from dark piano music to organ, from out of tone violins to carnival esque music ending with B-movie inspired Martian music. Simply put, it was at the time the epitome of Goldenthal's harder to appreciate music. And frankly these examples are still a little too much. There are of course others in the genre, the frenetic action pieces with these feisty strings and jazzy trumpet blasts, which bring "Perpetuum Mobile" and "Gotham City Boogie" to life.
And there are tracks as well that are more uninteresting than intrusive. "Mr. E's Dance Card" uses carnival esque tones, just like the track before it that put us into the crazy inventive world of Enigma himself. This is a moment that's easier to skip.
Yet there are examples as well where everything comes together wonderfully well. "Two-Face Three Step" is an intriguing display of Goldenthal's capabilities. Whether violins bring a stunning alternate version on the Batman theme or the festivity theme (used for the party in the following film), the sometimes total wackiness is replaced by more intriguing orchestral and instrumental music.
Further on, "Chase Noir" and "Mouth to Mouth Nocturne" bring forward Nicole Kidman's musical theme. She receives a very interesting (again) variation of the Batman theme, this time on piano. The other one captures an over the top classical string moment of emotional magnitude. And while the sleaziness is supporting Chase's character, the Gotham figure receives the wondrous string work brought out of Sphere in "The Perils of Gotham" and "Under the Top".
Basically there is a lot you can say about this score.. The themes are expanded with the fanfare for the villain, the instrumentation is equally expanded the further you keep listening (through harmonica, accordion, bells, violins or piano), and there's about every possible variation on the main theme you can expect in each track. This also makes sure that each track has something unique to present, making Elliot Goldenthal as said a very original composer indeed.
The downparts are the orchestral carnage, even if it's more or less approachable if you compare it with several other scores of him. But this is no easy score to listen to, and his second Batman score (Batman & Robin) is much easier to appreciate. Overall, Batman Forever is Elliot Goldenthal in a nutshell. It can work in either form and it will please or displease you no matter what you think of him overall. Patience is no virtue since the score starts immediately, ends like it begun and gives no rest for the needy. Perhaps your ticket to heaven, if not your calling card to Enigma's brain controller.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles and Fanfare (1.50) Excellent track
2. Perpetuum Mobile (0.54)
3. The Perils of Gotham (3.00)
4. Chase Noir (1.44)
5. Fledermausmarschmusik (1.14)
6. Nygma Variations (An Ode to Science) (6.02)
7. Victory (2.36)
8. Descent (1.06)
9. The Pull of Regret (2.49)
10. Mouth to Mouth Nocturne (2.13)
11. Gotham City Boogie (2.02)
12. Under the Top (5.41)
13. Mr. E's Dance Card (3.20)
14. Two-Face Three Step (2.20)
15. Chase Blanc (1.23)
16. Spank Me! Overture (2.45)
17. Holy Rusted Metal (1.50)
18. Batterdammerung (1.20)
Total Length: 44.22