Batman Forever: Original Motion Picture Score [Soundtrack]

Elliot Goldenthal | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 1995)
• Original Release Date: June 16, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002J56
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,099 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost as Good as the First Batman Score, March 4, 2006

By 

Ben Ganger (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman Forever: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

A large change came to the Batman series. Tim Burton and Michael Keaton had wanted to move on, so they ended after two large successes. Also leaving was Danny Elfman, who probably saw no reason to go on without Burton. As a result a new director, Batman, and composer entered the history of the caped crusader: Joel Schumacher, Val Kilmer, and the person who concerns us the most, Elliot Goldenthal. Goldenthal was hired after Joel Schumacher heard tapes of his Demolition Man and Interview with a Vampire scores, being impressed.

Elliot Goldenthal is known for his very interesting movie scores, which have been both reviled and praised at the same time. He actually had a tighter-than -usual schedule for Batman Forever, but he said that it was quite simple to do the score. His reasoning is that the format is the hero is the hero and the villain is the villain, basically meaning that he just needed to develop themes for each character. His music, however, is not so simple. His unique, original, and creative style has gone under fire, but this is mostly due to bat-fans angered over the abandonment of Elfman's theme.

Elliot Goldenthal's Batman theme was inspired by the sounds of kids humming music to match their action figures' deeds. What results is a very great heroic march, although it doesn't have the tragic undertones of Elfman's work. Variations of the theme are heard throughout the entire soundtrack. At first it is played at its best in "Main Titles and Fanfare", but it pops up as a quick, more heroic march in "Fledermausmarschmusik". Other big variations are heard in "Descent", "Chase Noir", and "Mr. E's Dance Card".

The second most prominent theme is that for Two-Face, the secondary villain who has half of his face disfigured by a chemical solution. It is supposedly intentional that his music is more mediocre to create a classical feel for the movie. I actually like it a lot. The best display of his theme is in "Two-Face Three-Step", which is very demented.

The third most used theme is the music for Jim Carrey's show-stealing Riddler. This is the perfect theme for an evil Jim Carrey. As with Two-Face, the Riddler has a track that displays his theme to good effect. This long track, "Nygma Variations" has been criticized as being unlistenable, but I have no problem with it. The music builds and builds, using violins, wacky orchestrations, and classic sci-fi alien themes.

Less interesting is the Love Theme, showing the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Dr. Chase Meridian. Actually, the Love Theme is a variation of the Batman theme. "Chase Noir", "Chase Blanc", and "Mouth to Mouth Nocturne" get the most tiring after repeated listenings.

Another major theme is actually not for any character (Robin sort of shares the Batman theme) introduced in the movie, but is a piece for action scenes. The Gotham City Boogie theme is heard two times, once in a track of the same name, and in "Perpetuum Mobile". In the latter, weird use of a synthesizer produces an odd effect to accompany the scene where one of Two-Face's goons is electrocuted.

Other noteworthy pieces include "Under the Top", the second longest part of music, a thirty second piece that begins almost halfway on "Holy Rusted Metal", and my favorite: "Victory". What I love about "Victory" is that the music practically tells the short fight in the movie involving two-Face throwing fire at Batman. For the first twenty or so seconds, Two-Face's theme accompanies the fiend and his thugs running. Batman's theme comes up as the dark knight gives chase, only to flop when he is lured down a large tube. Perilous music then comes on as Two-Face fires a burst of flame towards our hero. The music gets frantic by the second until Batman and his fanfare burst through the flames of death. I won't go on about the last minute of this awesome track.

All in all, Goldenthal doesn't surpass Elfman in bat-scores, but he produces very original music. Also, the album has a cool insert with dozens of photos from the movie. This is a rare CD and I had a hard time getting one, but it was well worth the effort.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Regardless Of What You Think Of The Movie, This Score Is A Must-Have!, May 31, 2006

By 

One of many (somewhere in the blur) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman Forever: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

Whether you loved Batman Forever ot hated it, I think there's one thing that can't be overlooked: Elliot Goldenthal's outstanding score. Danny Elfman (the scorist of the first two Batman films) is a wonderful musician, and is by all counts hard to live up to when it comes to taking over his work in the late 80s/early 90s Batman franchise. His theme was iconic and his atmospheric brilliance undeniable. How could Goldenthal follow up without seeming completely insuperior? This is how! Batman Forever: Original Motion Picture Score is proof that amazing action/adventure music is still alive. In some spots it is dark and brooding, in others it is bright and triumphant. And as a whole it is some of the best superhero -- and villain -- music you could ask for. From the superb theme, to the whacky Riddler cues, to the darkly insane pieces for TwoFace, it's everything done right. Blaring, uncomprimising brass sections, thundering, blood-pumping percussion, heroic, flying strings, and spiraling, jumpy woodwinds all combine to make a strong, exciting score that is a must have for any collector of Bat-music. In short, this CD is worth every penny! Experience Batman and his colorful enemies in audio form with Goldenthal's music today! It's fun and dark in all one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elliot Goldenthal forever!, March 15, 2003

By 

Brandon Cutro (Tyler, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Batman Forever: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

After the success of the first 2 Batman films with director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman, the latest films pair director Joel Schumacher with composer Elliot Goldenthal. Elfman's famous Batman march made the dark knight famous and Goldenthal simply adds to it. His theme for Batman is similar to Elfman's, but as Elfman's was more dark and ominous, Goldenthal's is more brash and vibrant. The theme itself is an 8 note brass fanfare that can be heard every time the dark knight does something heroic. "Main Titles & Fanfare" introduces the theme powerfully with might and sheer orchestral power. Other cues that showcase this brillant theme include "Fledermausmarschmusik" (whew!) with it stated in march style, "Victory", "Descent", and "Holy Rusted Metal". One thing about Elliot Goldenthal that I always like is that, like Thomas Newman, he is always coming up with something unique and original, as so many composers today are lacking. Several unique and fun dance tunes in different styles are present in "Mr. E's Dance Card" and "Two-Face Three Step". "Nygma Variations" showcases Goldenthal's unique writing talents a la Bernard Herrmann. "Gotham City Boogie" and "Under the Top" contains strange and unique (i've used that word a lot haven't I?) rhythms and textures. A brief love theme can be found in "Mouth to Mouth Nocturne". As Elfman did for the first Batman film, Goldenthal utilizes a powerful finale in "Batterdammerung" with lots of swirling strings and flutes played along with the fanfare. Elliot Goldenthal did an outstanding job taking over the music from Danny Elfman. His style is unique (there's that word again) and highly original.