The Dark Knight Batman's Theme Music in TDK

[dark_b]

I really liked the theme in BB though, why cant they just keep that? I hate it when they change theme's for sequels. One of the best parts of seeing a sequel is hearing the familiar theme of the movie/s before when the film starts IMO.

i think it will still be there. but it will be updated.

i trust this guy because the music was perfection for BB.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^I loved the theme in BB, i just hope they dont change it too much.

 

[dark_b]

^I loved the theme in BB, i just hope they dont change it too much.

IMO having the exactly the same music is boring.

 

[Carnotaur3]

i like the music from zimmer very much , sadly the music piece when bruce goes down with the elevator isn't on the soundtrack

Neither is the music for the scene where Gordon finds Falcone tied to the spotlight. I love that music but it's not on the soundtrack at all. There's some form of it on there but it's from another scene in the movie that doesn't play the same way.

 

[dark_b]

the part wherre he says i am batman is also not on the soundtrack. but those are all mixes from the original theme.

 

[AdmNelson]

Does this mean that it's only Hans Zimmer for the Dark Knight, not him and James Newton Howard?

Zimmer has said in other interviews that he's assuming (planning?) on Howard's collaboration on the film as well.

-- Admiral Nelson

 

[AdmNelson]

Because some people believe Elfman's theme is leagues better than Zimmer and Howard's?

The thing I don't get is how people think "It's a different franchise" is a legitimate argument for ditching the Elfman theme. I mean, if something's good, use it. Embrace it. Distance yourself from the BAD things about the previous franchise. Not the good. That's just a waste.

If a series of films were (overall) well-regarded (like Star Trek, or James Bond, or Mission Impossible, or the Bourne series), then I think your argument could work.

However, I think you're forgetting that "Batman and Robin" (even without the Elfman theme) so utterly damaged the Batman franchise in people's minds that there was NOTHING to be gained by reminding people of any previous Batman films.

When your franchise is near-destroyed by not only the worst in the series, but a film regarded as being one of the worst movies EVER MADE, then it's time to start fresh.

All of us should consider ourselves damn lucky that A.) another Batman film was even made, B.) it was put in good hands and was a great film, and C.) was embraced enough by audiences that it made sufficient money to warrant a sequel.

-- Admiral Nelson

 

[mcflytrap]

I wish they would just keep the Elfman theme

Die.

 

[DSET]

elfman is tradtional to Batman, and it will be hard to top off his theme.
However Zimmer is as good a composer if not better it will be very intresting to see what he does, I'm excited.

 

[dark_b]

i thought that it was only a rumor that there are people on this world who think that elfmans theme would work in nolans batman.

 

[AdmNelson]

Well, YouTube isn't working for me anyway right now. So here's the file courtesy of MegaUpload:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0HOYLSL0

Like I said, this is the unused "Batman Begins" theme by Zimmer/Howard that was on a free promotion disc. Hopefully, it becomes the TDK theme - I think it's, quite frankly, excellent.

ARGHHHH.

For about the billionth time, this is NOT an "unused or alternate Batman Begins" theme, no matter what your bootleg/"promo" CD claims.

This is a piece of generic film trailer music composed in a Zimmer style, by a music production company in L.A., and was made available on one of their promo CDs. This "alternate theme" has been thoroughly debunked by Soundtrack.net, the Film Score Monthly webboard, and Zimmer himself. (And besides -- there's no actual theme in it; it's basically a bunch of bombastic noodling.)

This music had nothing whatsoever to do with "Batman Begins," but this rumor/misinformation just keeps cropping up, month after month, and people keep perpetuating it.

-- Admiral Nelson

 

[Crook]

Heh, I remember when everyone though that would be the theme used for the theatrical trailer. I quite like it actually, anyone know the song title, and the composer?

I might just add this to my ipod.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

If a series of films were (overall) well-regarded (like Star Trek, or James Bond, or Mission Impossible, or the Bourne series), then I think your argument could work.

However, I think you're forgetting that "Batman and Robin" (even without the Elfman theme) so utterly damaged the Batman franchise in people's minds that there was NOTHING to be gained by reminding people of any previous Batman films.

When your franchise is near-destroyed by not only the worst in the series, but a film regarded as being one of the worst movies EVER MADE, then it's time to start fresh.

All of us should consider ourselves damn lucky that A.) another Batman film was even made, B.) it was put in good hands and was a great film, and C.) was embraced enough by audiences that it made sufficient money to warrant a sequel.

-- Admiral Nelson

The bottom line is that the Eflman theme is synonymous with the Burton movies. It wasn't even used in the Schumacher movies, which were a part of that same series. To then resurrect the theme, in a whole new series, makes little sense to me. It's not like James Bond, where there's really only been one theme attached to the character. There's been the Elfman theme, the Goldenthal theme, the Walker theme and even the Adam West theme song.

All logic dictated a new theme for this series. The only thing holding it back is personal preference to another one. If more people prefered the Goldenthal theme, would there be the same "argument" to include it in Begins?

 

[Rockbottom]

Elfmans theme is great, but the Nolan series needs one of there own imo, however I doubt it will be as remembered as Elfmans.

 

[Juanigi]

some jerks

 

[Yurka]

Die.

no.

The Elfman theme is amazing, you are in the minority if you think otherwise.

 

[Mel4Prez]

B89 them is great for B89. BB and TDK deserver something different. Let's not rehase a theme from 20 years ago please.

 

[Antithesis_SD]

Now, I've looked through this thread, and noticed that Shirley Walker's theme for B:TAS's continuity has not been mentioned.

That is my favorite Batman theme, at least, for me.

Though I love Danny Elfman's Batman 89 score, I feel that it is a little dated, and too stylized to work in Nolan's film. The notion that they should build up to Elfman's theme in this new continuity is absurd for many reasons: legal dealings, re-tooling of the already established music, and finding a way to accommodate for the theme in the films or the other way around, to name a few.

Zimmer and Howard's collaboration worked for the style, tone, and pacing of Batman Begins. Even if Howard is not teamed up with Zimmer for TDK, I'm fully confident that Zimmer will deliver and meet, if not exceed, expectations. Look at his PotC:AWE score, and there is proof that when he is devoted to the film's score, he can do very well.

Also, as a side note, there is a "COMPLETE PROMO SCORE" for Batman Begins floating around the internet. It is the real deal, as it has excellent quality end credits, unreleased music, some alternate cues, etc. Its worth a search.

 

[Juanigi]

yeah it was mentioned a few times

 

[Antithesis_SD]

Oh, my bad. I guess those couple of things I skipped were what I was looking for.

Ah well. It happens.

 

[Juanigi]

nobody mentioned the superman themes from lois and clark or the cartoon though

 

[Matchbox]

I think Elfman's theme was really great, however I absoulutely love Howard/Zimmer's work on Batman Begins. I thought it was very complex, powerful and moving and I'm excited to see what they have in store for us in The Dark Knight.

-Matchbox

 

[Myrddin_Emrys]

Elfmans theme sound just like.. well.. anything else hes composed. Lifeless, campy and cheesy. Keep him away from this please.

I love Zimmers work, and I have to say, a new batman theme not filled with a gothic chanting choir.. i.e the original Omen, will not be a Batman theme.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

i actually like Zimmer's theme better than Elfman's. the buildup alone gives me goosebumps.

 

[super-t]

i say jus at least have a lil tease from elfmans theme in TDK, i jus like the beginning of the theme anyways i never did like the whole marching band part of it