Batman: Gotham Knight
Christopher Drake , Robert J. Kral and Kevin Manthei
" 6 stories receive 3 different composers "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Batman: Gotham Knight is a 2008 animated direct-to-DVD anthology film of six animated short films set in-between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It depicts Batman battling against the mob of Gotham City, as well as other villains before his fateful meeting with the Joker. Music wise, these 6 segments were scored by Christopher Drake, Kevin Manthei and Robert J. Kral. La-La Land Records (publisher of the more forgotten but popular TV series) brings out a CD covering all the moments of those 6 short stories.
We open with Christopher Drake's music for the episode 'Have I Got a Story for you' and you couldn't predict how well it opens. "Main Titles / Intro / Interlude / Punk Skater / Trouble at the Dock" opens with an orchestral and choral rise, bringing forth some majesty but also mystery. This is brief however, moving soon into a punk rock attitude brought forward through guitar (soft and rocking). "Living Shadow / Living Shadow Finale" is quite atonal and show's the appearance of the Batmonster. This monster receives airtime in "Batmonster Appears / Batmonster Do-Over / Batmonster Finale" and the John Williams'esque "Rooftop Robbery / Robobat" which is really impressive at times.
Drake's other musical segment is for 'In Darkness Dwells' and Drake's 2 note motif for Batman immediately sets this score on fire, alongside a wonderful choral build up. This all in the brief "In Darkness Dwells Intro". The ominous and atmospheric "Gordon's Cannibal / Ghost Station" aside, the section still holds some fine moments. "Killer Croc / Hallucinations / Scarecrow Interrupted" has nice attacking ideas, the choral fanfare that shows the Batman falling down and the heroic 2 note Batman motif in both tone and development are proof of this. Overall, this is the kind of score you wish to hear in a larger version.
Kevin Manthei's part is completely different from what you heard by now. In 'Inferno' his two tracks are organic, atmospheric, holding various tones and interestingly enough ethnic material. "Crossfire" holds this the most while in "Inferno" the same sound design is aided by the begin of a choir and a more thematic heroic approach. His other party is for 'Working Through Pain' and this is a relaxing ethnic piece altogether. "Rejected and Despised" is very nice and soft while "Working Through Pain / The Fall" is surely the most emotional of them all.
Robert J. Kral is the 3rd composer in line who brings forth his own unique vision and voice to the short stories. In 'Field Test' only his "A Russian in his Grave / It Works too Well" stings. In 'Deadshot' a piano is more prominent. This in "Parents Killed" and "His Life's Quest". The "Gordon / Batman / The Train" is a nice suspension builder which uses a heroic fanfare as part of the action.
This is all reprised in "Batman Gotham Knight End Credits Suite", bringing forth as well the ethnic material of Manthei and the choral stunner of Drake's music.
Honestly, I'm not a follower of all this Batman hype. Especially not the animated versions. And so personally I didn't know what to expect. But it is refreshing to discover that Drake's music is at times very good, that Manthei offers us diversity and emotion and that Kral's train piece shows a nice development in suspense. Altogether Batman: Gotham Knight offers you a fun listening experience. It screams out for a full orchestral performance and a shorter running length. If that was the case, the soundtrack would have been a lot more successful. And it would have been rightfully so.
Tracklisting
Have I Got a Story for You: Composed by Christopher Drake
1. Main Titles / Intro / Interlude / Punk Skater / Trouble at the Dock (2.30)
2. Living Shadow / Living Shadow Finale (1.47)
3. Skater Girl / Trouble in the City (0.52)
4. Batmonster Appears / Batmonster Do-Over / Batmonster Finale (2.20)
5. Rooftop Robbery / Robobat (1.46)
6. Have I Got a Story for You Finale (1.39)
Crossfire: Composed by Kevin Manthei
7. Crossfire (4.51)
8. Inferno (5.52)
Field Test: Composed by Robert J. Kral
9. New Device (1.24)
10. Trigger a Device / As Good as your Drive (1.12)
11. A Russian in his Grave / It Works too Well (3.57)
In Darkness Dwells: Composed by Christopher Drake
12. In Darkness Dwells Intro (1.02)
13. Gordon's Cannibal / Ghost Station (3.02)
14. Epidermalytic Hyperkeratosis (0.45)
15. Killer Croc / Hallucinations / Scarecrow Interrupted (3.21) Excellent track
16. Escape and End (1.49)
Working Through Pain: Composed by Kevin Manthei
17. Working Through Pain / The Fall (1.48)
18. Bazaar (0.28)
19. There is Another / Training (2.48)
20. Rejected and Despised (1.32)
21. Painless Fight / I Can't (3.27)
Deadshot: Composed by Robert J. Kral
22. Parents Killed (0.56)
23. Gun Attraction / Park Killing (1.28)
24. Gordon / Batman / The Train (6.16)
25. His Life's Quest (1.00)
26. Batman Gotham Knight End Credits Suite (5.02)
Total Length: 63.08
We open with Christopher Drake's music for the episode 'Have I Got a Story for you' and you couldn't predict how well it opens. "Main Titles / Intro / Interlude / Punk Skater / Trouble at the Dock" opens with an orchestral and choral rise, bringing forth some majesty but also mystery. This is brief however, moving soon into a punk rock attitude brought forward through guitar (soft and rocking). "Living Shadow / Living Shadow Finale" is quite atonal and show's the appearance of the Batmonster. This monster receives airtime in "Batmonster Appears / Batmonster Do-Over / Batmonster Finale" and the John Williams'esque "Rooftop Robbery / Robobat" which is really impressive at times.
Drake's other musical segment is for 'In Darkness Dwells' and Drake's 2 note motif for Batman immediately sets this score on fire, alongside a wonderful choral build up. This all in the brief "In Darkness Dwells Intro". The ominous and atmospheric "Gordon's Cannibal / Ghost Station" aside, the section still holds some fine moments. "Killer Croc / Hallucinations / Scarecrow Interrupted" has nice attacking ideas, the choral fanfare that shows the Batman falling down and the heroic 2 note Batman motif in both tone and development are proof of this. Overall, this is the kind of score you wish to hear in a larger version.
Kevin Manthei's part is completely different from what you heard by now. In 'Inferno' his two tracks are organic, atmospheric, holding various tones and interestingly enough ethnic material. "Crossfire" holds this the most while in "Inferno" the same sound design is aided by the begin of a choir and a more thematic heroic approach. His other party is for 'Working Through Pain' and this is a relaxing ethnic piece altogether. "Rejected and Despised" is very nice and soft while "Working Through Pain / The Fall" is surely the most emotional of them all.
Robert J. Kral is the 3rd composer in line who brings forth his own unique vision and voice to the short stories. In 'Field Test' only his "A Russian in his Grave / It Works too Well" stings. In 'Deadshot' a piano is more prominent. This in "Parents Killed" and "His Life's Quest". The "Gordon / Batman / The Train" is a nice suspension builder which uses a heroic fanfare as part of the action.
This is all reprised in "Batman Gotham Knight End Credits Suite", bringing forth as well the ethnic material of Manthei and the choral stunner of Drake's music.
Honestly, I'm not a follower of all this Batman hype. Especially not the animated versions. And so personally I didn't know what to expect. But it is refreshing to discover that Drake's music is at times very good, that Manthei offers us diversity and emotion and that Kral's train piece shows a nice development in suspense. Altogether Batman: Gotham Knight offers you a fun listening experience. It screams out for a full orchestral performance and a shorter running length. If that was the case, the soundtrack would have been a lot more successful. And it would have been rightfully so.
Tracklisting
Have I Got a Story for You: Composed by Christopher Drake
1. Main Titles / Intro / Interlude / Punk Skater / Trouble at the Dock (2.30)
2. Living Shadow / Living Shadow Finale (1.47)
3. Skater Girl / Trouble in the City (0.52)
4. Batmonster Appears / Batmonster Do-Over / Batmonster Finale (2.20)
5. Rooftop Robbery / Robobat (1.46)
6. Have I Got a Story for You Finale (1.39)
Crossfire: Composed by Kevin Manthei
7. Crossfire (4.51)
8. Inferno (5.52)
Field Test: Composed by Robert J. Kral
9. New Device (1.24)
10. Trigger a Device / As Good as your Drive (1.12)
11. A Russian in his Grave / It Works too Well (3.57)
In Darkness Dwells: Composed by Christopher Drake
12. In Darkness Dwells Intro (1.02)
13. Gordon's Cannibal / Ghost Station (3.02)
14. Epidermalytic Hyperkeratosis (0.45)
15. Killer Croc / Hallucinations / Scarecrow Interrupted (3.21) Excellent track
16. Escape and End (1.49)
Working Through Pain: Composed by Kevin Manthei
17. Working Through Pain / The Fall (1.48)
18. Bazaar (0.28)
19. There is Another / Training (2.48)
20. Rejected and Despised (1.32)
21. Painless Fight / I Can't (3.27)
Deadshot: Composed by Robert J. Kral
22. Parents Killed (0.56)
23. Gun Attraction / Park Killing (1.28)
24. Gordon / Batman / The Train (6.16)
25. His Life's Quest (1.00)
26. Batman Gotham Knight End Credits Suite (5.02)
Total Length: 63.08