Batman and Batman Returns Soundtrack

[Two-Face]

Danny Elfman did a great job on both but which Soundtrack is better? or which track is your favourite?

Discuss.

 

[Ponyboy]

I love the opening theme (on both films)... it still gives me goosebumps when I hear it. I like them both equally, really, but Batman Returns probably wins out as a more complete score.

 

[Brother Jack]

Batman Returns is probably the better score, though perhaps less iconic.

As far as favorite tracks, "Descent into Mystery", "Waltz to the Death" (from Batman), and "Final Confrontation (from Returns) spring to mind.

 

[Cain]

Yeah I like them both equally honestly I really can't choose. Though technically yeah BR is the superior one just took it to the next level with some of the arrangements. BATMAN on the other hand has the more iconic score of the two.

I'd say my favorite track on the first one is Descent into Mystery. One of my top 10 all time favorite pieces of film music.

The La-La Land Records complete re-release of the BR one has my favorite music from that one on it finally. Labeled as "Caught in the Act/Uh-Oh Max" the music that plays when Penguin and Max are talking in his lair and "Revealed/Party Crasher" the music that plays during the costume ball outside of Super Freak and Face to Face.

The first part of the latter track being my favorite piece in the entire film. Just adds so much weight to that scene it's the cherry on top of a fantastic moment. Such a great example of the powerful use of score and visuals/dialogue.

 

[justinianus]

I love seeing these scores getting some love. I can't really be objective about B89, it was my first soundtrack ever. I got it as a present on vinyl many-many years ago, and I still own that copy. It's one of the few soundtracks (alongside The Empire Strikes Back and Conan the Barbarian) that I love from start to finish. Favourites include the Main Title, Descent Into Mystery, Up The Cathedral.

BTW, it's too bad that Returns was never released on vinyl. Even though they are not very practical, LPs are just beautiful.

IMO their best cues already existed on the OST releases, but a proper complete release with superior audio quality and liner notes was long overdue.

 

[El Payaso]

Batman.

And we need a poll.


As justinianus, I goit the vynil back in the day. In fact I still have it.

 

[Milu]

My favorite piece other than the Batman Theme might just be "Descent Into Mystery."

 

[Two-Face]

Batman.

And we need a poll.

As justinianus, I goit the vynil back in the day. In fact I still have it.

Added El.

 

[El Payaso]

Added El.

Thanks man.

 

[Two-Face]

I was listening to Batman 89 music on my iPod man I love this Elfman scores especially Batman ones. What's your favourite track from the Burton Bat films?

Was about create a thread for this but searched my thread came up. Lol

 

[kewlmatto]

Batman Returns is a much richer score. The themes are developed with more depth and layers.

Catwoman's theme (Cat Suite and Selina Transforms) are terrific pieces of music.

Batman's theme is refined - it's a little less bombastic.

Penguin's theme is also wonderfully tragic.

The original film, while great, just doesn't have the layers Returns does. Joker's theme is fun, but nothing compared to Catwoman and Penguin's music.

 

[Elevator Man]

Tough one. Though both scores are very different from each other. I enjoy 'em both equally. So it's a tie for me.

 

[DACrowe]

I'm not voting because both are wonderful scores and probably Elfman's best. B'89 is more iconic but BR is more complex, layered and emotional. I like them equally. As for my favorite bits:

Batman:
-Title theme (obviously)
-Descent into Mystery
-Whatever plays when Bruce flashbacks to his parents' death.
-The piece played to him suiting up/the Batmobile destroying Axis Chemicals.
-The piece that plays as Batman stalks the Joker up the bell tower
-Finale

Batman Returns:
-The Prologue
-Title Themes (this time the chorus, the much more melancholy flourishes and a strange Christmas undertone)
-Batman Returns (his first scene when the signal appears)
-Selina Kyle becoming Catwoman
-Batman spying on the Penguin at City Hall
-Penguin visiting his parents' graves
-Penguin trying to hang Catwoman
-The entire ending from Catwoman killing Schreck to the end credits

Both are phenomenal pieces of music.

 

[AnneFan]

Both soundtracks are excellent.

If I had to choose I'd side with BR, as I love the gloomy, wintery atmosphere it creates.

These tracks stick out to me - pretty much the whole score.

Birth of a Penguin/Main Title
Intro/The Zoo/The Lair
Kitty Party/Selina Transforms
The List Begins
The Cemetery
Sore Spots/Batman's Closet
The Plot Unfolds
Roof Top Encounters
Batman's Wild Ride
Fall from Grace
Umbrella Source/The Children's Hour/War
Final Confrontation/Finale
A Shadow of Doubt/End Credits

 

[Drizzle]

I've always preferred the Batman Returns score. I love the themes for Penguin and Catwoman.

 

[theman]

The first part of the latter track being my favorite piece in the entire film. Just adds so much weight to that scene it's the cherry on top of a fantastic moment. Such a great example of the powerful use of score and visuals/dialogue.

yes! thats how i feel as well, the "revealed" track, the music that starts out the track, right when they discover each others identity with the shreeking "catlike" violins and the sadness, it adds so much to that little part, its very emotional and one of my favorite moments of not only of the expanded score but of the film.

this was a pretty hard decision but i went with the Returns score. i mean, theres no way you can beat it. its the best score of ANY batman film made thus far. like the film, its highly original and i seriously doubt we will ever get such a moving, detailed, operatic, emotional score like this ever again (unless elfman does the next batman movie). the 1989 score has some truly great iconic moments that i love, attack of the batwing, the circus type music of "waltz to the death" which i remembered as a kid used to bug me they are playing this happy music while batman gets the sh** beat out of him in the bell tower. but it really depends on what mood im in. i own the first 3 film soundtracks, 1989, Returns, Forever, as those are my favorite batman films. they are all great listens but depends on my mood. if im in a dark mood, i go for the Returns score. i just love it, up there with elfmans best compasitions.

i agree, the layers for Returns and the deep subject matter, i can see why this film divided certain fans. its very dark and moody, not just a fun comic book movie like Forever or B89. its got more of a twisted, rough edge that wouldnt be scene again until TDK. i may not be a nolan fan by any means, but TDK had more in common with Returns dark, nihlistic approach then any of the other movies, though still not haveing the same artistic, emotional, comic book style of Returns.

 

[mongoose-mania]

I love Elfman's Batman scores. His theme is the definitive Batman theme for me. That being said, I do think Returns has the better score. It's more lush and romantic, which suits the movie perfectly. My favorite piece from the score would have to be the "Selina Transforms" tracks. The emotion in that scene was captured perfectly. And the Penguin's theme is so tragic.
Basically, they both do a great job at what they're supposed to do: set the tone for the films. Batman's score is more high-adrenaline and action-y, and Returns' is so much more tragic and Gothic. They're both very, very great.

 

[theman]

OMG how could i forget to mention selina transforms?? that was such POWERFUL track! it fits so perfectly with the whole "innocence lost" feeling that selina is going through. and the creepy music that is played as the cats "revive" her, almost likw a horror movie moment. elfman at his creepy best.

another track i love is "shadow of doom/clown attack/intro to the bat". i love the zany clown music, reminds me of BTAS. in fact, both burton films remind me of live action versions of BTAS. the music when batman is driving the batmobile through the square and taking down clowns is awsome, cant help but play that in my car sometimes when driving ahaha.

the thing i really love about this score is it reminds me of the way they used to score cartoons in the 1940's WB animated shorts. very zany and trumpety.

 

[Cain]

yes! thats how i feel as well, the "revealed" track, the music that starts out the track, right when they discover each others identity with the shreeking "catlike" violins and the sadness, it adds so much to that little part, its very emotional and one of my favorite moments of not only of the expanded score but of the film.

I think the score really hits you the most when Selina goes "does this mean we have to start fighting?" and you're just like it's such a well written, directed and acted scene to me it's one of the best in modern film. One of those times where Burton really captured the emotive chemistry from his actors on film.

 

[GothamAlleys]

Just wanted to put some spotlight on this great little track, I think its brilliant and conveys the drama and trauma of bruce's story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpD9sVhn1Dc