The Dark Knight Batman's Theme Music in TDK

[Anita18]

Disagree again. Elfman's theme would NOT work with Batman Begins. B89 was a much more Hollywood movie, with the typical large piece symphony orchestra and more definite themes.

Batman Begins, with its more dark, gritty, and realistic nature, needs the chaos and long drawn chords and melodies of the type of score it had.

Don't get me wrong. I like the B89 score, but it doesn't fit in at all with BB's world.

I agree. BB was more atmospheric, and the music shows that.

I still think whoever thought up the percussive "bat wing flaps" deserves a

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Oh God, I hope it's not just a Zimmer score. The best parts of the BB score were clearly James Newton Howard pieces.

I agree. Zimmer can be generic at times, much like Elfman. Howard is really an underrated composer; just listen to Signs or Wyatt Earp for example and see his incredible range.

It was a good collab though. Zimmer's frantic, kinetic percussion matched with Howard's dynamic, more dramatic musical pieces.

 

[Yurka]

Sweet, this is awesome news. What do you mean by keep the elfman theme? I though zimmer did the whole score for BB?

his theme from B89', since batman didnt officially have a theme in BB.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I accept that reasoning, but the high bar is set and this time the game is on, no more excuses.

Excuses for what? Batman Begins' score kicks ass! From the looks of things, TDK's will rock the house too! I'm sorry, but there is no need for "excuses."

 

[jesse custer]

If it's anything like the BB "theme" then this sucks...i want a memorable theme, like B89 had and all the cartoons.

that old 89 batman movie theme sucks pipe!

 

[JdlC]

BOOOOOOO!!!! to reusing Elfman's theme in Nolan's films. that idea is beyond lame! if you can't handle Elfman's absence, suck on your thumbs and curl up and just watch Burton's films endlessly...

YEEEEESSS!!! to the evolving Batman theme by Zimmer. I love Molossus and Antrozous. I also love Howard's scores.

 

[Carnotaur3]

For anyone who says Batman Begins doesn't have memorable themes... try constantly listening to the soundtrack. You'll surely remember them

 

[Conebone69]

Sweet, this is awesome news. What do you mean by keep the elfman theme? I though zimmer did the whole score for BB?

^ Can someone explain this to me

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

^ Can someone explain this to me

Explain what you said??

Anyway, Elfman did the score to B89, and some people on this thread incorrectly think they (the BB filmmakers) should have carried the theme over to BB, despite the fact that B89 and BB have nothing to do with each other in terms of tone, atmosphere, and narrative structure. Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard did the score for Batman Begins.

 

[super-t]

if u listen to the end credits music i think the part that sounds more like batman is the part from 45 to 1:13 i wanna here more of that in TDK.

this right here from 45 to 1:13 is BATMAN!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_g3cCMe3nX4

 

[Conebone69]

Explain what you said??

Anyway, Elfman did the score to B89, and some people on this thread incorrectly think they (the BB filmmakers) should have carried the theme over to BB, despite the fact that B89 and BB have nothing to do with each other in terms of tone, atmosphere, and narrative structure. Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard did the score for Batman Begins.

Ok cool, thanks man. Well in that case im glad they didnt use elfmans theme cuz I love hans zimmers score in BB, it was just pure gold

 

[Steyin]

As long as its like a Molossus v1.5, I'll be happy.

 

[The Chris]

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

 

[Freakjokerxxx]

Everything about the Bat Reboot is better in my opion than Burtons. I love Burtons work like everyone else but Batman, he should stay away from in my opion. Zim's music is wonderful.

 

[daywalker2007]

i thought the begins score was bloody awesome,

when i first heard it, i thought it was good,
but after hearing it more and more it really grows on you and i think it was a great score.

i love the B89 and Batman Returns scores by Elfman, but i think they did right using a new score as this is a reboot and not a continuation of the Burton Series.

Unlike Superman returns, that was virtually a sequel and that John Williams score is untouchable much like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. They are sacred scores!

Elfman's is sacred too. It shouldn't be used again unless its the same Batman universe of Burton.

Hell, i'm glad that Schumacher didn't use Elfman's themes for his 2 movies,
at least Elfmans themes got the respect they deserve by appearing in only quality movies by Burton!

 

[Darkest Knight]

I told the theme haters this. And seriously, I whole heartedly believe the Hans / Zimmer BEGINS score > Elfman's work on Batman. And I'll explain shortly ...

 

[CConn]

While I quite liked BB's overall score, I will say the theme itself was greatly lacking. As others have stated, Batman NEEDS a memorable, powerful theme song. All great movies and characters have had that. And Howard and Zimmer's theme in BB just didn't come anywhere close to being as good as B89's theme, or any other theme of that brand.

 

[Darkest Knight]

Fact is, the producers of the music are being intelligent ... and are developing the music as the character develops. Which makes sense, and is actually a really unique idea.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

While I quite liked BB's overall score, I will say the theme itself was greatly lacking. As others have stated, Batman NEEDS a memorable, powerful theme song. All great movies and characters have had that. And Howard and Zimmer's theme in BB just didn't come anywhere close to being as good as B89's theme, or any other theme of that brand.

I guess you didn't see the blurb that the composers felt Batman hadn't "earned" his own theme, and that they are building and expanding on the hint of a theme that was present in BB. IMO, this is a pretty smart move, as it parallels how Batman evolved and will continue to evolve.

 

[daywalker2007]

Yes, while i agree that the Zimmer mollosus theme is not as powerful as Elfmans theme, it still is a great theme and different enough to be memorable.

Elfman is a genius and a legend, no one is probably going to top his Batman theme. Much like how no one can top Williams Superman theme.

If this series was a sort of sequel/continuation of the burton series much like Superman Returns, i would say yes, definitely use the Elfman theme.

But since it is a reboot and completely new,
Zimmer's theme is exactly what was required. I have the 2 CD bootleg score and its great. One of Zimmers best ever scores.

It's a tricky situation when you are rebooting. Do you go with a new score or reuse existing themes?

Superman returns ended up being a vague sequel and so the Williams theme was absolutely required. If the Superman movie was a reboot, maybe even then the Williams theme would still have been used, because it is iconic and world known. Everybody on the planet knows Williams theme.

Indeed, they could have used Elfman's theme on this reboot, but I think Nolan had a tricky choice and I think overall, made the right decision.

 

[Katsuro]

Elfman's theme would not have fit the tone of this movie, at all. I've seen YouTube videos of the Elfman theme over Begins footage, and it doens't work in the slightest. That's all there is to it, regardless of "reboots" or "continuity".

 

[DarthSkywalker]

He is not getting a new theme as much as something a bit more advance.

I love Elfman's theme but it is to much action adventure for the world's greatest Detective.

 

[daywalker2007]

batman is actually quite unique in that it has 2 big memorable themes.

The 60s series theme, and the 89 Elfman theme.

The zimmer theme is now a 3rd memorable theme.

In contrast, John Williams Superman march over powers any other superman theme ever made. It is the absolute unmatchable theme. No other Superman theme is widely known other than John Williams theme.

I think we are quite lucky that we have 2 great series of movies and different themes.

Burtons great movies with their trademark Elfman sound.

And now Nolan's revisioning with their trademark Dark Zimmer sound.

I'm very happy with the choices.

 

[daywalker2007]

Elfman's theme would not have fit the tone of this movie, at all. I've seen YouTube videos of the Elfman theme over Begins footage, and it doens't work in the slightest. That's all there is to it, regardless of "reboots" or "continuity".

I absolutely agree.

The Burton tone is unique. You can't take that score and reuse it in a different kind of batman movie.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

batman is actually quite unique in that it has 2 big memorable themes.

The 60s series theme, and the 89 Elfman theme.

The zimmer theme is now a 3rd memorable theme.

In contrast, John Williams Superman march over powers any other superman theme ever made. It is the absolute unmatchable theme. No other Superman theme is widely known other than John Williams theme.

I think we are quite lucky that we have 2 great series of movies and different themes.

Burtons great movies with their trademark Elfman sound.

And now Nolan's revisioning with their trademark Dark Zimmer sound.

I'm very happy with the choices.

Elfman cheaped his theme by reusing for every single film he makes. William's kept his so distinct that couldn't happen. It is still the John William's sound, but it is something truly unique.