Batman Begins
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Free Music Notes for Batman Begins
Free Music Review: Awesome.
Hit: 5 Stars
I haven't been really excited about a movie soundtrack since Vangelis' Blade Runner, or Basil Poledouris' Conan the Barbarian. This work is a dark and unique masterpiece that is so good, it doesn't seem to know that it's just a soundtrack. At times it is delicately moving, at times majestically powerful, but always intensely atmospheric and highly emotional.
I can't believe some have said this soundtrack doesn't quite measure up to Elfman's work. In my opinion, by way of comparison, Elfman is not fit touch the hem of the garments of Mr.s Zimmer and Howard. Aside from the great theme, Elfman's work was far too comic book-ish and would have been more at home in a cartoon than a motion picture.
In any case, even if you have absolutely no interest in the Batman character, or comic book movies in general, if you enjoy baroque orchestral works, you will love this. An absolute must-have.
Some good news: Zimmer and Howard are returning to score this film's sequel, The Dark Knight.
Free Music Review: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
Hit: 5 Stars
As a dynamic soundtrack collector, I must say that Batman Begins is one of my all time favorite scores. With the combination of Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, how could anything go wrong?
The score is dark, scary, beautiful, and full of action all at the same time. It has awesome synthetic base added to some songs which I happen to love very much.
IT SHOULD BE UP FOR SCORE OF THE YEAR, THAT SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF HOW GOOD IT IS. WHEN I SAW THE LIST AND THIS WAS NOT ON IT I YELLED AND CURSED THE OSCAR IDIOTS. THEN I GLANCED DOWN TO NOTICE THAT NEITHER KING KONG, STAR WARS, BATMAN BEGINS, HARRY POTTER, NOR THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA WAS ON IT. I AM UTTERY AMAZED AT THE OSCAR FAILURE THIS YEAR.
I HOPE YOU BUY AND ENJOY THIS SCORE AS I KNOW YOU WILL
Free Music Review: 5 Stars for Score, 3 Stars for Album
Hit: 4 Stars
Batman Begins is one of Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's best work. I absolutely love the score. Unfortunately, the people who recorded it and released it on CD deserve a thwack on the head. For some reason, they thought that people who buy a Zimmer score to an action movie only want to hear about, oh, 9 minutes of action music. Huh??? Zimmer wrote some incredible action music to the film, some of his very best. And all we get of it on this CD release are 3 minutes in the third track, 2 in the 5th, 2 in the 8th, and the big 4 minutes on track 10. This is about 50 minute album. That leaves around 40 minutes of other music that isn't action packed. So what's left?
Well, we got a beautiful romance theme obviously headed by Howard. That is used in two tracks. Then we got the main Batman theme, a thunderous motif that sounds like giant wings flapping, and it's very effective. That leaves a couple other pieces of music that are good, and then, inexplicably, about 6-8 minutes of absolute nothing. I'm talking, nothing. Not even quiet background music - I mean, there's spaces on this album where absolutely nothing is happening musically. Couple that with sequences that are just sound effects, like the Scarecrow's sound effects, and you have a lot of wasted space on this CD that should've been used for more action music. Among other great action selections, where is the final confrontation music? The biggest action scene of the film, the climax on the train, had some of the best action music I've ever heard and was completely left off this album. WHY??????
I should focus this review more on what's here instead of what's not, but it irritates me because the music in the film is so great. Still, what's on the album is on the album, and no amount of complaining can change that. It's still worth your money, and has some parts of extreme power, emotion, and, yes, action. So go out and buy it, and enjoy it as I have many times....just don't be expecting a complete release.
cheers
KZ
Free Music Review: Excellent score to an excellent film
Hit: 5 Stars
First, let me say I enjoyed the film Batman Begins immensely. I thought it was the most "true-to-life" representation of the Batman story ever done and I was pleased with the stylistic choices made in the film.
That said, I found the Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard collaborative soundtrack to be perfectly suited to the film and I was quite surprised to find that it also stood as quite a good listen on its own. I believe my surprise stems from the fact that when I first saw the film, I didn't hear the soundtrack, I FELT it. While this may strike some as an indication that the composer failed in his duty, it is in fact the highest aim of the film composer. So perfectly interwoven into the film was the score that my consciousness barely noted it (though if you asked me after I saw the film if I liked the music, I certainly would have said yes).
As many reviewers have already stated, the score evokes deep senses of darkness, foreboding, and despair, as well as tenderness, courage, and honor. The score, like the film, is a roller-coaster affair that may leave one breathless.
A few reviewers have stated that they were bothered by how Zimmer and Howard "ignored" or "trampled on" or "disrespected" Elfman's score for Tim Burton's Batman, released in 1989. This is absurd. For one, while many composers choose to include homages or references to previous scores if they're doing another version of the same (or in this case, similar) film (and yes, there are a few I could pick out in Begins), they "owe" those previous composers nothing at all. They are hired to produce a score which matches with the movie on screen. I absolutely love Danny Elfman's score for Batman, I have listened to it regularly for over a decade. But I firmly believe that Elfman's work would have been completely wrong for Batman Begins. Elfman's score screams brass and bravado, elements that would have grated against the grim, bleak Gotham City of Batman Begins.
For those who know their works, it is pretty obvious when Howard is doing the talking and when Zimmer takes over. Zimmer, in particular, has produced what I believe to be his best work to date. One reviewer decried his use of synths and went so far as to claim he had no musical talent at all. If synths are a problem with you, then yes, you may have issues with Batman Begins. But if you think Hans Zimmer is a no-talent hack, I would recommend you listen to the score to "As Good As It Gets," an amazingly uncharacteristic Hans Zimmer work. If you can listen to that and still come away thinking Zimmer has no talent and doesn't work with live performers, then I will have lost hope for you.
James Newton Howard also contributes some beautiful themes, most notably in my mind being the "Bruce remembers his parents" theme, though it isn't known as such. It pops up throughout the score and really gives perspective to the fact that in the end, Bruce Wayne is still a young man who misses his parents. It is reminiscent of Malcolm's theme in "The Sixth Sense," another powerhouse Howard score.
Overall, though, what struck me most about this soundtrack was how closely it is related to Don Davis' work for the original Matrix film. Structurally, the two are very similar: they eschew the use of dramatic musical motifs in favor of creating an entire sonic world in which the films can exist. Both scores sprinkle themes audiences come to know and recognize in the film (the aforementioned "Bruce/Parents" theme, the Neo/Trinity love theme, for examples), but those are not the focus of the music. And, just as people in 1999 condemned the Matrix score as being "soullessly atonal" and lacking any major themes, few people in America today would not be able to identify the echoing, brassy fanfare that heralded the start of one of the Matrix films.
I feel that the same thing will happen with Batman Begins. There may be an initial negative reaction to the "decentralized" nature of the score, but I am confidant that when all is said and done, it will be recognized for the truly great work of music that it is. Films like The Matrix and Batman Begins are, in my opinion, the future of things to come in the film score world. I expect to see many more well-made soundtracks in the style they are helping to establish.
Free Music Review: Zimer and Howard create a stunning and dark soundtrack (revised)
Hit: 5 Stars
Anyone whose seen Batman Begins probably didn't notice the score in the background that much until the movie's credits. It is there that I desired to get the score for this outstanding film (Ironically before the movie). That said, Hans Zimer and James Newton Howard created a stunning score that is worthy of anyone's collection of scores. The music ranges from silent, mournful, terrifying, and grippingly full of pulsating action with most of the tracks that play the Begins theme with such strength its hard not to become giddy over the mere hint of it. There are 12 tracks in total. All them quite lengthy in their own right and never sound as though they've been cut short for the soundtrack (much like my favorite soundtracks "Fellowship of the ring" - "The Two Towers" - and "The Return of The King."
Howard Shore's score is simply amazing as a stand alone, even after the film is over. The fact that the best of this score played in the movies weren't included in the soundtrack as well bothered me). Though the only gripe I have and its a numb one, is that they didn't include the end titles theme from the end of the movie; It showcased some of the best filler music in the film (excluding the cue used when Batman struggles to get aboard the train his father built to stop Ra's). The sound affects add atmosphere to the already creepy soundtracks that reminded me of Arkham and the Scarecrow. However, its hard to tell what track played in a particular scene due to the technical bat-named tracks (and the reason as described above), which isn't a bad thing. I mean it certainly is better than "Rachel in Arkham" or "Batman Battles Ra's al Ghul" if you know what I mean. So the track names have me guessing which ones I was listening to since I don't have them memorized in my head that well. Speaking of tracks:
(1). Vespertilio - The introduction of the film as well as the soundtrack. A nice starting to begin with that slowly eases into the theme of the song that will be the most heard of in the soundtrack aside from sweet melodic theme used to indicate Bruce's memories, Rachel, or his parents. It really gives you a sense of determination in Bruce Wayne (in my opinion) and what he readies himself to do for Gotham. 5/5
(2). Eptesicus - Bruce and the aftermath of his incident in the well and another assortment of melancholy moments in the film. As mentioned before, this is a beautifully composed melody that sends a sort of reminiscent feeling through me. The best part of Eptesicus is when the Begins theme rises slowly in volume and doesn't cease to do so until the end of the track. - 5/5
(3). Myotis - My second absolute favorite track on the soundtrack. You literally can illustrate the scene in your mind in which Bruce denies his right to join the league of shadows by refusing to execute the farmer that became the murderer. With a slow and ominous start of things to come, once Myotis throws you into its action theme (in its entirety), its hard to keep from pressing the 'repeat' button just hear it again. In spite of the musical breaks between the action that shifts to different rift, Myotis is the best action track next to "Molossus." - 5/5
(4). Barbastella - Barbastella is relatively long in feeling for me, so I do no know where it ends of where it begins. I enjoy it nevertheless. This track empathizes on the angsty and slightly vocalized theme of Bruce's parent's death in the alley at the beginning and his short time spent at Gotham P.D. with fellow police officer Jim Gordon. The theme kicks in once again, but this time with much more passion and strength behind it. From there the more darker tone of Batman Begins kicks in. I enjoyed this one overall. - 4/5
(5). Artibeus - Introduction to Batman's full costumed appearance and the fall of Carmine Falcone. Unwittingly this track made me jump in fright with the beat of the sound affects which overpowered the sparse music one some notes. It falls into the dramatic melody once again when the sound effects are said and done. Its a nicely crafted track for the most part, but it simply wets your tongue for the tracks following after it. - 3/5
(6). Tadarida - I basically dubbed this the "Scarecrow theme," due to the scene where Batman is caught off guard by Jonathan crane and is gassed by the toxin that causes delirium of sorts. The beginning starts off with another sweet and sorrowful melody before falling into the darker tone set. The sound effects are heavily empathized in this track in a second before the music kicks back in and recreates the atmosphere of that scene through your speakers. - 5/5
(7). Macrotus - This track sounds like a simple assortment cues from scenes to which I cannot remember clearly. Its over seven minutes long in length, the cellos used in this track intensify with volume with every note taken. The theme of Bruce's memories of his parents and Rachel plays out the strongest in "Macrotus." The league of shadows scenes is heard afterward (when Bruce faces his second to last test: facing his fears). - 5/5
(8). Antrozous - "Antrozous" is a warm up to the two tracks after it. The action theme roars to life at the beginning of the track, with a slow paced beginning (Bruce reveals himself to Rachel) before diving head first into the pumping theme that ends far too quickly in my opinion, boiling down to slight calm. - 4/5
(9). Nycteris - Introduction to Lucius Fox and Bruce Wayne's meeting. This track carries a sort of espionage type tune at the beginning that more than a real treat to listen to. - 4/5
(10). Molossus - My first absolute favorite track on the Batman Begins soundtrack. For the entire four plus minutes it's nothing much non-stop pulsating action orchestrated wonderfully by Zimer and Howard. Carries tunes of the climax of the film and the TUMBLER (sighs) scene, it simply sends excited chills down my spine everytime I hear it. - 5/5
(11). Corynorhinus - This is basically prelude to the end of Batman Begins, the memory/Rachel and Bruce theme can be heard with a major change to it and the best part of the end when Batman converses with Jim Gordon on the rooftop is also included in this track. Its easily my third favorite track on the CD. - 5/5
(12). Lasiurus - I'm not really sure what to say about "Lasiurus," in all honesty. Its not my favorite track and the cellos can be a bit overpowering and loud (even with the volume down a bit) at times on the speaks of the radio. Of course that's not say that its a horrible track, on the contrary. There are stronger emotionally moving moments in this track than the whole CD put together. But the last track is rather hard to identify thus, making it a half-and-half situation in some cases. On a final note "Larisurus" ends repeating the very introduction and Batman Introduction to Faclone aftermath in such a cool way, that I'm glad it ends on such a note.
All in all, "Batman Begins" is an excellent buy for those looking for a major change in the Superhero score department. Its defiantly not fore die-hard Elfman(?) fans looking for the overused Batman theme from the previous two original movies directed by Burton and the animated series. Batman Begins It certainly wouldn't have you questioning your spent money like "Spier-Man/2", "X2" (I recommend buying Michael Kamen's "X-Men" score over that) "Fantastic Four" or "Superman" would. ----- [a 5 out of 5]