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| TDK OST Review |
Author: raleagh
Fri, 4th July 2008 |
| Review of the soundtrack |
 The soundtrack for Batman Begins recieved mixed reviews. Die hard fans of the previous movies were expecting something more in line with Elfman's work. To this day, there are some who yearn for Elfman to return to score the Bat.
Sorry but, that ship has sailed.
For me, Batman Begins' score wasn't so much like being on a ship. It was more like being in an inflatable raft - not much room to explore and only good in certain places. It did stay afloat, mostly down to James Newton Howard (who I have always liked). Hans Zimmer's themes seemed generic - catchy - but generic. There were action cliches galore, but nothing new. I expected more.
More was to come. Zimmer expressed his view that Batman had not earned his theme yet in Begins (it was only hinted at) and it would be explored in the sequel.
And so on to the sequel I go. Have Batman's themes been expanded. Yes. The result is a much richer sound. It's almost infectious, more so than the better parts of Begins. There is much to explore here, but sadly it does stray into being generic and uneventful from time to time.
The Joker's theme (heard in "Why So Serious?") features the much touted 2 note motif.
The approach taken not to give The Joker a theme is probably the right one. Motifs help to establish a character emotions and motivation. The Joker shouldn't be pinned down in such a way. Even In Burton's Batman Nicholson's Joker had next to no theme. He was expressed meerly through melodies reminisant of children's nursery rhymes and extravagent waltzes. Not having a theme for the character is also a way of establishing that this movie will be very different from the usual comic book movie fest - and i have to say it is a fresh change.
At times it is hard to extract from the listening of it if 2 notes are actually present resulting in an almost monotone sound that could probably be replicated very easily that a comb and some paper. When the 2-notes are present the motif is interesting - short but interesting. Short? Yes I said short. Most of the track is taken up with what can only be described as bizarre open bass string slapping rhythms. "Raw" experimentation. Experimenting is fine. Trying different things - some will work, some won't - but Zimmer manages to experiment without actually doing anything interesting. Very dissappointing. It's as if it was an attempt to create an almost "Jaws" like mood in the music - sadly John Williams is no where in earshot.
Experimention does work in "Agent of Chaos", with the rhythm being replaced by a ticking clock to get effect.
 Throughout the soundtrack, there is much of Zimmer's previous work on display - from The Ring to Gladiator. I hadn't expected anything else, but what there is sets the mood quite well and I am sure it will compliment what we see on the screen.
Movies have the luxury of never being seperated from the score. Unfortunately, a good movie score has to be able to exist on its own in order to be a pleasing experience. Whilst this score does shine in quite a few places, it bearly glows in others. Begins' score suffered from the same problem - much of the incidental music trundles along without any purpose other than creating a mood - which is fine when accompanied with the visual re-enforcement of the movie.
If it seems as if I'm down on this score then you're wrong. I did enjoy it. It takes the themes established in Begins and pushes them further by making them more layered, symphonic and at times euphoric (and as I said "almost infectious") - while at the same time giving us new themes that fit the same world.
Harvey "Two Face" Dent's themes were a shock. I expected tragic, but not regal. It does seem to fit the noble stature of a man in a high position of power suggesting the character will be at odds with our perceptions. It is beautiful.
The main tracks I enjoyed were "I'm not a Hero" (almost sounded like Harry Gregson-Williams in places), "Harvey Two-Face" (John Newton Howard excels here), "Aggressive Expansion" (Bruce Wayne's theme is like a haunting memory in it), "Blood on my Hands", "Like A Dog Chasing Cars", "And I Thought My Jokes Were Bad" and "Introduce A Little Anarchy" (those last two feature a nice progression of the Batman theme).
So in closing, how would I rate this? Highly. It is a brave score, defying convention and perhaps that was the intention. If so, it also makes it earnest and if that is so then any generic failings in it can be overlooked. I have always said that Newton Howard is the heart of these scores and it is the heart that appeals to me most.
Graded: B-
The soundtrack to The Dark Knight will be released on 15th July 2008 on single CD , Special Limited Edition CD , download and Special Edition Vinyl.
Last edited by raleagh on Tue, 7th October 2008 at 4:40pm
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