Justice League Danny Elfman Scoring Justice League - Part 1

[kguillou]

We're definitely getting the full on theme. WB is aiming to win the fans back and bringing back those themes, like it or not, will win back a lot of goodwill. People dont realize it but music is so important in dictating the vibe and feeling of a movie and sometimes the right note with the right scene can cause you to stand up and cheer. Seeing Batman storm the streets in the batmobile kicking parademonon ass with the theme playing will get the fanboys cheering and thats what they want.

 

[MydnightPhoenix]

What's ironic to me is that I always felt Batman's BvS theme homages Elfman. (think the moment when young Bruce starts floating)

I'll be honest, I still don't know what his theme is. I've heard it's just parts of certain tracks then I heard it's the full Beautiful Lie track or the full Men R Still Good Track. If it OS indeed BL then it's remarkable as is.

 

[Angel0fDeath]

I'll be honest, I still don't know what his theme is. I've heard it's just parts of certain tracks then I heard it's the full Beautiful Lie track or the full Men R Still Good Track. If it OS indeed BL then it's remarkable as is.

[YT]ShTw1x2Lsrc[/YT]

Just skip to 6:05. That's the actual Batman theme. This is the only quiet version of it without the loud drums in the background, so you can hear it nice and clear. It has a Goldenthal-Batman-Forever feel to it, actually. At 11:55 is my favorite rendition of the theme with the choirs at the end. I do think they didn't use it properly in the film, though. We only hear the loud parts with all the drums.

 

[ZackBop]

On the one hand, it makes sense to bring back the classic themes, as we are transitioning to more "classic" interpretations of these characters. But the problem is that there is no MUSICAL transition (or so it would seem). They're just swapping out the new with the old.

 

[Greens]

I hope Elfman wasn't exaggerating, because I'm gonna be anticipating that Batman theme during the movie

 

[Gieferg]

That news about Elfman's theme returning is probably best thing about this movie now.

Go, Danny, Go!

 

[Jumpman]

We're definitely getting the full on theme. WB is aiming to win the fans back and bringing back those themes, like it or not, will win back a lot of goodwill. People dont realize it but music is so important in dictating the vibe and feeling of a movie and sometimes the right note with the right scene can cause you to stand up and cheer. Seeing Batman storm the streets in the batmobile kicking parademonon ass will get the fanboys cheering and thats what they want.

And it sucks...

 

[Klidokrator]

And it sucks...

Sure man, whatever.

 

[Mindreaper21]

As much as I love Batman and the Elfman theme, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. I'd at least like a spin on the theme and not just copy and paste. It's more to it than just saying "this is Batman's theme". When I hear Elfman's theme, I think of Keaton's Batman. For me, that's what fits because it was composed for him. I feel like Affleck's Batman deserves something that fits him particularly. At least mix Beautiful Lie into it some way.

 

[King23DC]

I don't want a full on return of the 89' Batman theme, just a little nod to it in the new theme would be nice.
Batman doesn't even have a real theme in BvS or in the TDKT, atleast not one that causes a mayor brain tapeworm in my ears.
They have reverenced other Batman 'history' from different media in BvS so why not in the music?

He definitely has a defining theme weaved through all three films of TDK trilogy. BvS he has one as well, it’s just way less heroic than either Elfman or Zimmer’s stuff.

 

[TheScarecrow]

Can I just say...

As someone who loved Zimmer's music for TDK trilogy...

As someone who also really liked the BvS score...

I don't understand why everyone is so outraged by Elfman's comments. I think they're right. You ask someone to hum Batman's theme and you're most likely to get the 89 theme. I can't even identify a solid theme in Batman Begins (and it's not the "dudun, dudun, da da da da" music because Zimmer himself said there was no theme in the Batman Begins soundtrack.

Likewise, we're on here trying to identify in the middle of the tracks the BvS.

If anything, the next most recognisable theme after Elfman's is the Forever/B&R themes, which don't represent the character at all.

So what Elfman says is exactly true. We all know what the MoS theme is, we all know what the WW theme is...we only know one Batman theme.

 

[Sawyer]

Can I just say...

As someone who loved Zimmer's music for TDK trilogy...

As someone who also really liked the BvS score...

I don't understand why everyone is so outraged by Elfman's comments. I think they're right. You ask someone to hum Batman's theme and you're most likely to get the 89 theme. I can't even identify a solid theme in Batman Begins (and it's not the "dudun, dudun, da da da da" music because Zimmer himself said there was no theme in the Batman Begins soundtrack.

Likewise, we're on here trying to identify in the middle of the tracks the BvS.

If anything, the next most recognisable theme after Elfman's is the Forever/B&R themes, which don't represent the character at all.

So what Elfman says is exactly true. We all know what the MoS theme is, we all know what the WW theme is...we only know one Batman theme.

Because people here look for opportunities to get territorial on an hourly basis. In any possible way they can.

 

[kguillou]

I think your mileage may also vary depending on what era of Batman you grew up with or hold fondly. My childhood centered around Burton's Batman and Batman TAS, so that Elfman/ Shirley Walker-esque sound defines the dark knight for me, personally. So, naturally, hearing the dun dun dun DUN DUN DUNNNNN on the big screen while seeing Batman doing Batman things is going to strike a sentimental chord with me.

Some people may not have really discovered Batman until the Nolan movies and that vision and sound defines the character for them, which so happens to be closer in line with the sound we've been getting in the DCEU movies, that "modern sound." I ****ing love the Zimmer soundtracks for those movies and listen to them almost daily but BATMAN is Danny Elfman to me and i think its fitting that since Bruce is reborn again as the Dark Knight that we get his theme.

But admittedly, I'm a hypocrite because while I want the Elfman Batman theme I do not want the John Williams theme for Superman...at least not during the key moments.

 

[Arachnerd]

Didn't find anything "cocky" or "arrogant" about what Elfman said. If he believes his Batman theme is the only Batman theme that's his opinion. At least he complimented Zimmer's contributions from TDKT trilogy. That was the opposite of what Zimmer did while promoting TDK when he made a snarky remark about Elfman's theme being "jolly". Also Elfman's Batman theme is an actual theme compared to TDKT, which consisted of motifs, and BvS, which was mostly repetitive rhythmic pounding of notes. Can't blame Elfman for ignoring what Hans and Junkie came up with for Batfleck, which left a lot to be desired. It's easily my least favorite of the Batman themes I've heard, which is saying something with how much I've criticized TDKT scores. It wouldn't bother me if Elfman also ditched the MOS and Wonder Woman themes/motifs since I don't care too much for those either.

"I truly hope Elfman ditches the themes from MOS and Wonder Woman despite the fact that both have been positively received by DC fans, I wasn't one of them. So it is my own opinion he omits those themes because of my own selfish desires regardless of how anybody else may feel about it. I don't desire any kind of musical continuity in Justice League. Please, Mr. Elfman, for the good of these movies do not use Clark and Diana/Wonder Woman's themes in the DCEU and just shred them completely. Do not disappoint me.

- Signed, Elevator Man"

I'd say this is pretty much how you sound like, intentionally or not.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

I'd rather Elfman create a Batman theme that fits the movie he's composing for rather then just putting the theme he created for Tim Burton's Batman into another movie.

I feel the same way about the Donner Superman theme. I love it. But putting it into another movie that has a different style and different tone risks taking the audience out of that movie, and undermining the world you are trying to create.

 

[BatmobileFury]

As much as I love Elfman's theme for Batman, I don't feel that it fits this version of Batman. His theme from BvS with more strings and percussion is all it needs. They just need to flesh it out and make it more heroic, as opposed to just plain dark and ominous.

 

[Vaibow]

Let's not kid ourselves, the general audience have a certain expectation for Superman and with the greatest of respects - you ask them to hum the superman theme tune and it's william's score.
Batman, i would imagine it's burton's too, heck i bet they would even do the camp '66 nananananana version.

Thing is, their respective soundtracks are timeless and classics. They won't say 'wait a minute - this is Christopher Reeve's tune' they will think 'superman' and the same for Batman when they hear a tune similar to '89 and the animated series - because they were hugely popular and not just with fan boys.
Like it or not, us, we won't make this movie a success, it's the GA audience.

Casino Royal was so fresh and different - it didn't have the bond theme until the very end and you know what, it cemented it as a Bond film - you left feeling pumped. That's how important a theme is.

To me, the william's score is superman's score and the elf man score is the best i have heard - a lot of people will agree than disagree.

Ley's say Marvel reboot X - men, you're telling me you wouldn't get goose bumps hearing the original cartoon series x men theme?

spiderman home coming did it too and guess what, it didn't ruin the movie.

 

[Arachnerd]

But erasing Zimmer's MOS theme along with Wonder Woman's theme doesn't also strike you as an idiotic notion? Would you guys want the Linda Carter Wonder Woman theme to replace Zimmer's Wonder Woman theme as well just because some fans wouldn't care?

I have no issues with Elfman using his Batman theme if Friends Or Foes is any indication. What I do have a problem, however, is like I said before, why not mesh the old with the new? Find the right balance. Thankfully, both of Zimmer's themes aren't most likely getting erased (hopefully) and will be there in some form or another.

A part of me is seriously glad some fans don't have control over the musical score of a film. That goes to both sides.

 

[Elayis]

It doesn't take much for this thread to become toxic, does it? All it takes is for someone to say they personally don't care for a particular style of music and all hell breaks loose.

For me, I've liked just about every Batman related score released (except the Arkham games), so I have no problem with Elfman bring back his theme. It'll be nice to hear it on the big screen. But I'll admit to being a little bummed that we won't get a hybrid version of Zimmer's BvS theme, like what Elfman did with Silvestri's in Avengers. It was simplistic, sure, but effective.

The tracks released so far aren't anything to write home about, but they were enough to get me excited about hearing the rest of it. Wonder what's up with those "full version" tracks on disc 2. Not too many composers outside of James Horner do single cues of that length.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

I'd like for Elfman to create a secondary Wonder Woman theme..like one that's designed for Diana having special character moments as well as creating a nice rendition of the electric cello battle theme.


As for Superman, if I hear the classic theme, the movie should REALLY earn it.

With Elfman's Batman theme, I think there should be a musical transition to it. It'd be weird to hear it out of the blue.

Like maybe you here the "Men are still good" arpeggios and then a slow build up to his Batman theme or something.

 

[MydnightPhoenix]

[YT]ShTw1x2Lsrc[/YT]

Just skip to 6:05. That's the actual Batman theme. This is the only quiet version of it without the loud drums in the background, so you can hear it nice and clear. It has a Goldenthal-Batman-Forever feel to it, actually. At 11:55 is my favorite rendition of the theme with the choirs at the end. I do think they didn't use it properly in the film, though. We only hear the loud parts with all the drums.

Thanx for taking the time to share that with me. IMO it isn't too impressive, Supes and WW themes were much more spectacular.

 

[TheScarecrow]

I must say I'm a little disappointed we're not going to get a Zimmer Flash theme.

I can imagine in my head what his Aquaman one would be like (drums and a lot of riff), but I think his Flash theme would have been more impressive.

Does anyone know if Elfman is doing individual themes for the remaining Leaguers?

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

^ Honestly, an Elfman Flash theme could be amazing if he made it less Batmaney than his old TV theme, and more like his Spider-Man theme.

 

[Aquafinn90]

I must say I'm a little disappointed we're not going to get a Zimmer Flash theme.

I can imagine in my head what his Aquaman one would be like (drums and a lot of riff), but I think his Flash theme would have been more impressive.

Does anyone know if Elfman is doing individual themes for the remaining Leaguers?

He said that the other league members would have motifs that future composers, if they chose to, could build off of those. Which I think its the best way to go honestly.

 

[Ninjablade]

Edit: ^ Beat me to it.