Batman

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

This movie was a phenomenon. Like Star Wars is today, that was Batman for a few years and especially during that time it was released. The dark gothic city of Gotham was stunning and its hero was equally mysterious. But the movie was also one of the few that received such a fitting score and to be more precisely, it was stunning how it worked in the movie and it was amazing how it listened on CD. This was Danny Elfman's first major blockbuster and it is the classic of the Elfman collection today. What drives this score is the twisted action music by Danny Elfman, when he uses his typical intense orchestrations backed up by the powerful main theme. Every keynote in Elfman's score is known in other works of him but here it is used so carefully and perfect. Batman is Elfman in gothic proportions.

The score is of course such a treat thanks to the powerful main theme, a classic on its own and Elfman's use during the score is excellent. It isn't used too much but just enough and woven through that dark mood it fits so good with the mysterious hero. The first few notes of the track 'The Batman Theme' have always been my favorite, when the theme starts to build and you simply expect it to burst out into a massive sounding orchestral note. Of course the theme itself is brilliant. Elfman's rather energetic chase and action music, used in many of his other same category scores is best used here, and in moments such as 'First Confrontation' and 'Batman to the Rescue'. Also the playful waltzes fit perfectly with the insane character of Jack Nicholson, the Joker. Like the comical confrontation in 'Kitchen, Surgery, Face-Off'. But what dominates this soundtrack are the breathless action moments of Batman, each moment is terrific. 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 loved 'Waltz to the Death', almost the whole track is the comical waltz of the Joker, and Elfman uses it as a waltz and a fight rhythm combined.

If I have the pleasure to pick the three ultimate highlights of the score, I would choose 'Descent into Mystery', 'Up the Cathedral' and 'Finale', because they surprised me the most. I knew from the beginning on that the action tracks were going to be sensational, but the first two are equally impressive and the third surprised me because I thought I would hear the concert version of the main theme. Batman is the classic of the dark gothic action scores, but simply also a classic of soundtracks in general. Think of action tracks but filled simply twice with powerful sounding moments. Danny Elfman really pushed all the limits with this one and the result is a truly impressive Batman release. I didn't think this would be such a ride but like many classic soundtracks, the result is more positive then ever imagined. Brilliant, Astonishing, Terrific, Marvelous, Amusing, Necessary to have in your collection.

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Tracks

Single Disc

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

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Danny Elfman ===