Batman
Danny Elfman
" Gothic masterpiece "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Back at the days, Batman was the phenomenon at the box office. Hell today it still is. But back then the dark gothic city of Gotham was stunning through the vision of director Tim Burton, and its mysterious hero was just and true. But the movie also received something else that was captivating, namely the gothic grand score of Danny Elfman. Being his first major blockbuster project, it still stands today as the classic amongst classics in Elfman's career.
What drives this score is the twisted action music by Danny Elfman. It's when he uses his typical intense orchestrations backed up by the powerful main theme that the score becomes the powerful superhero score amongst the superheroes. Every keynote in Elfman's score is known in other works by him, but here it is used so carefully and perfect. Batman is truly Elfman in gothic yet stylish proportions.
The score of course is memorable due to its already memorable theme. While it isn't used that much, it is interwoven enough to carry the mood and the weight of the mysterious hero. The first few notes of the track "The Batman Theme" have always been my favourite notes of the entire album. It has the feeling you know something is building towards a climax and you expect it to burst out in a massive orchestral note any time soon.
After that we have Elfman's rather energetic chase and action music, used in many of his other same category scores. But here it is put to great use, like in "First Confrontation" and "Batman to the Rescue". The comical twisted side of the Joker receive playful waltzes after that, which makes it downright fitting for the insanely entertaining Jack Nicholson aka the Joker. Listen for instance to the comical confrontation in "Kitchen, Surgery, Face-Off" and you'll understand what I mean by that.
But what dominates this soundtrack are the breathless action moments of Batman. The best action moments or gothic phrases are "The Batman Theme", "Batman to the Rescue", "Descent into Mystery" (which is brilliant through the choir and powerful score), "Charge of the Batmobile", "Attack of the Batwing", the awesome "Up the Cathedral", the high paced "The Final Confrontation", the powerful "Finale" and the concluding "Batman Theme Reprise". I also love "Waltz to the Death", combining the comical waltz with an intense fighting rhythm.
In the end, I knew from the beginning that the action tracks were going to be sensational. But Elfman has given us more than just action music. His main theme, waltzes and heroic reprisals are what elevate this score to the highest gothic level imaginable. Batman is the classic of the dark gothic action scores, but simply also a classic of soundtracks in general. And it was here that Danny Elfman made a name for himself. I didn't think this would be such a ride but like many classic soundtracks, the result is simply what it is today. I call it Brilliant, Astonishing, Terrific, Marvelous, Amusing, Necessary to have in your collection.
Tracklisting
1. The Batman Theme (2.36) Excellent track
2. Roof Fight (1.18)
3. First Confrontation (4.42)
4. Kitchen, Surgery, Face-Off * (3.06)
5. Flowers (1.50)
6. Clown Attack (1.43)
7. Batman to the Rescue (3.54) Excellent track
8. Roasted Dude (1.00)
9. Photos / Beautiful Dreamer ** (2.26)
10. Descent Into Mystery (1.30) Excellent track
11. The Bat Cave (2.33)
12. The Joker's Poem (0.56)
13. Childhood Remembered (2.42)
14. Love Theme * (1.29)
15. Charge of the Batmobile (1.40) Excellent track
16. Attack of the Batwing (4.43) Excellent track
17. Up the Cathedral (5.03) Excellent track
18. Waltz to the Death (3.54)
19. The Final Confrontation (3.47)
20. Finale * / ** (1.44) Excellent track
21. Batman Theme Reprise (1.24) Excellent track
* Includes "Scandalous" composed by Prince with John L. Nelson
** Includes "Beautiful Dreamer" composed by Stephen Foster
Total Length: 54.54
What drives this score is the twisted action music by Danny Elfman. It's when he uses his typical intense orchestrations backed up by the powerful main theme that the score becomes the powerful superhero score amongst the superheroes. Every keynote in Elfman's score is known in other works by him, but here it is used so carefully and perfect. Batman is truly Elfman in gothic yet stylish proportions.
The score of course is memorable due to its already memorable theme. While it isn't used that much, it is interwoven enough to carry the mood and the weight of the mysterious hero. The first few notes of the track "The Batman Theme" have always been my favourite notes of the entire album. It has the feeling you know something is building towards a climax and you expect it to burst out in a massive orchestral note any time soon.
After that we have Elfman's rather energetic chase and action music, used in many of his other same category scores. But here it is put to great use, like in "First Confrontation" and "Batman to the Rescue". The comical twisted side of the Joker receive playful waltzes after that, which makes it downright fitting for the insanely entertaining Jack Nicholson aka the Joker. Listen for instance to the comical confrontation in "Kitchen, Surgery, Face-Off" and you'll understand what I mean by that.
But what dominates this soundtrack are the breathless action moments of Batman. The best action moments or gothic phrases are "The Batman Theme", "Batman to the Rescue", "Descent into Mystery" (which is brilliant through the choir and powerful score), "Charge of the Batmobile", "Attack of the Batwing", the awesome "Up the Cathedral", the high paced "The Final Confrontation", the powerful "Finale" and the concluding "Batman Theme Reprise". I also love "Waltz to the Death", combining the comical waltz with an intense fighting rhythm.
In the end, I knew from the beginning that the action tracks were going to be sensational. But Elfman has given us more than just action music. His main theme, waltzes and heroic reprisals are what elevate this score to the highest gothic level imaginable. Batman is the classic of the dark gothic action scores, but simply also a classic of soundtracks in general. And it was here that Danny Elfman made a name for himself. I didn't think this would be such a ride but like many classic soundtracks, the result is simply what it is today. I call it Brilliant, Astonishing, Terrific, Marvelous, Amusing, Necessary to have in your collection.
Tracklisting
1. The Batman Theme (2.36) Excellent track
2. Roof Fight (1.18)
3. First Confrontation (4.42)
4. Kitchen, Surgery, Face-Off * (3.06)
5. Flowers (1.50)
6. Clown Attack (1.43)
7. Batman to the Rescue (3.54) Excellent track
8. Roasted Dude (1.00)
9. Photos / Beautiful Dreamer ** (2.26)
10. Descent Into Mystery (1.30) Excellent track
11. The Bat Cave (2.33)
12. The Joker's Poem (0.56)
13. Childhood Remembered (2.42)
14. Love Theme * (1.29)
15. Charge of the Batmobile (1.40) Excellent track
16. Attack of the Batwing (4.43) Excellent track
17. Up the Cathedral (5.03) Excellent track
18. Waltz to the Death (3.54)
19. The Final Confrontation (3.47)
20. Finale * / ** (1.44) Excellent track
21. Batman Theme Reprise (1.24) Excellent track
* Includes "Scandalous" composed by Prince with John L. Nelson
** Includes "Beautiful Dreamer" composed by Stephen Foster
Total Length: 54.54