Customer Reviews

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Soundtrack

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a nice edition to the collection o' Batman Soundtracks, MUCH better than the Batman Beyond TV soundtrack by virtue of the fact that it has as many orchestral elements as synth elements. There are of course complaints. The length leaves much to be desired, The music underscoring the Batgirl-Harley fight in Arkham and the music underscoring the sattelite chasing Batman are both missing, and some of the best stuff in the score. At a length of under 40 minutes there is simply no excuse for the absence of these fantastic cues. The good, the music that's here is just fabulous a lot of very James Bondish cues actually, which is a fun and refreshing change from the dark and dreary that we've come to know and love. The orchestral cues underscoring the flashback sequence are fantastic, especialy the iteration of Robin's fanfare at the begining of 'A Trap for Tim'. The 12th track, 'Healing Old Wounds' features a stunning electric guitar statement of Shirley Walker's Batman Theme and is very very cool. All in all a fantastic, albeit short soundtrack. Now lets release a Soundtrack of the Batman Animated Series music and I'll be happy.

As I write this, I'm listening to the album AGAIN - seventh time and I just got it yesterday. As a big fan of the show and a major soundtrack buff, I didn't think it would be possible to top the show's techno track. However, Kris Carter has magnificently blended his orchestrated scores with techno and hard rock themes; very dark, very industrial. It ain't Danny Elfman and it ain't Rob Zombie, but it's one of the best soundtracks of the year. Carter's only fault is in his slightly overzealous use of cues, but that's probably more the fault of the producer, which I'm sure an expanded score would show. The bottom line is this album is highly recommended! Of course, you can't truly appreciate a score without seeing the film - which is why I'll be preordering the DVD as soon as I'm done typing.

This is the type of soundtrack a comic book based movie should have. The combination of electronic, rock, and orchestral, works incredibly well. A great listen, even if you haven't seen the movie. Highly recommended.

Although the Batman Beyond TV series which spawned this soundtrack utilized a predominantly techno sound, Kristopher Carter's score reveals more light and shade with dramatic orchestral passages that recall the influence of his mentor Shirley Walker. That's not to say you don't get some adrenalin packed techno-metal wig-outs with drums like kango hammers on steroids, bowel-destroying bass and chunky chainsaw guitar. Carter's keening mournful theme for the movie is further enhanced during the end titles by some nifty bluesy fret play from Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

At a whisker over half an hour, this soundtrack only represents a brief glimpse into the future, and while not all the tracks are for the fainthearted, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker represents a rock solid modern soundtrack with some occasional moments of sheer brilliance that sound fantastic when played very loud.

When most people think of a movie soundtrack, they think of big-budget and musically moving films like Titanic. This is quite the contrary for most movie soundtracks, and is also not true in this case. Many of the Batman movies and television shows have been parised for their well done scores. The Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker soundtrack is no exception and is in fact betther than any film score I've heard before. To be truthful, this movie isn't completely orchastra though, several of the tracks have lyrics, if not in the foreground, in the background. This is definately a very entertaining CD and should be a favorite for all classic music fans, as well as Batman fans and any other kind of music fans. The only problem with this is that it is so under-appreciated.

When "Batman Beyond" premiered in 1999, the creators' intention was to reject the iconography and conventions that defined both Batman and the successful "Batman: The Animated Series". No where was this more evident than in the musical style. The pilot episode opened with Bruce Wayne's last night out as Batman and used the familiar orchestral score that had been a foundation of BTAS. However when the jump to the future occurred, the music shifted to a techno-driven, hard rock style. It could have backfired along with the show itself, but viewers embraced it as a defining element of the Tomorrow Knight.

Series composer Kristopher Carter handles the musical chores for the series first (and only) direct-to-video film, "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker". Carter injects the same techno-rock combination that defined the world of Terry McGinnis and Neo-Gotham. However, the film's premise -- and larger budget -- provided a unique opportunity for the composer. The film focuses on the Joker's reappearance in future Gotham and chronicles the fates of familiar BTAS characters. The story is thus half "Batman Beyond" and half "BTAS" and the music reflects this.

In addition to the rock elements, Carter returns to the traditional orchestral style of BTAS, even using Shirley Walker's distinct Batman leitmotif. The result is an expert melding of two different styles that give the film an epic scale and magnificent score. In a way, it serves as a musical bridge between these two eras of the DC Animated Universe and makes me hope that future releases are forthcoming.

I think the soundtrack is EXCELLENT. It sounds very much like the show, only upgraded a bit.

My only question is - why didn't Shirley Walker compose this? Kris Carter worked in her orchestra so there must be some connection....

However, Shirley's absence doesn't take away from the soundtrack - but it does raise a question (kind of like the movie itself)

If anyone knows the answer to this - please email me : sebinseattle@home.com

not as classic as Batman:Mask of the Phantasm. The C.D. is worth every minute to listen to(although not all of it). Like Mask of phantasm, this c.d. also features a rock song "Crash", which the chorus is quite catchy if given the time to listen to it. I have to say this but, I rather listen to this instead of watching the cut version. I know I am not supposed to show support of censorship, but too many scenes and dialouges were cut and changed. It was obviously not a movie at all, if you think for a moment. anyways, have a nice day.

Wow. I have been a big fan of batman for sometime, even now that I'm 16. However, the only batman film I own woukd be Batman and Robin, but enough about that.

I saw Batman: Return of the joker on cartoonnet work, twice. The Joker, even if I am slightly uneasied by clowns, is my all time favourtie villian.

This score is the best. Peeps, I am stunned for words on it.

the music is so cool and I loved the movie
that is why I am now a Stageplay based off the night Robin became
JJ Called Batman:the lastlaugh