Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Batman Returns

 

Batman Returns
(Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Music Composed by
Danny Elfman

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Batman's first appearance in comic book history, and to celebrate, Renovatio Records presents a new release of Danny Elfman’s acclaimed score for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, and Pat Hingle, the film follows Batman as he confronts the power-hungry crime lord known as the Penguin, who schemes to control Gotham City alongside the corrupt businessman Max Shreck. At the same time, Catwoman emerges as a volatile, morally ambiguous figure with her own agenda for revenge. As the dark underworld of Gotham comes to life, Batman is caught in a battle not only to protect the city but also to navigate a tangled web of allies and enemies who blur the line between heroism and villainy. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it was a box office success, grossing over $266 million worldwide and cementing its place in pop culture.

For the score, Burton once again turned to his longtime creative partner, Danny Elfman, marking their fifth collaboration. Elfman’s music for Batman Returns is a triumph of creativity, perfectly capturing the film’s darker and more eccentric tone. Departing from the more straightforward superhero sound of his original Batman score, Elfman crafted a richly complex and surreal composition. One of the most impressive aspects of the score is how Elfman tailored it to the film’s expanded roster of villains. While the iconic gothic theme for Batman, established in the 1989 film, returns, it is the two new themes for the villains that steal the spotlight.

The Penguin’s theme is an intricate blend of tragic operatic lyricism and circus-like whimsy, employing twisted woodwinds, low harp, and a haunting female choir. This mix of tragedy and carnival-style menace perfectly mirrors the character, sympathetically presenting him as both villain and victim. The development of the theme is nothing short of masterful. Cues like "The Penguin’s Lair" and the beginning of "Batman Vs. The Circus" introduce the theme in darker, more sinister tones, while tracks such as "Birth of a Penguin", "The Cemetery" and "Finale" offer solemn and tragic yet lovely renditions of the theme.

Equally brilliant is Catwoman’s theme, introduced in "Selina’s Transformation". With high-pitched strings mimicking a cat’s meow, the theme perfectly encapsulates her feral yet alluring nature. Elfman cleverly intertwines the themes for Batman and Catwoman, both beginning with the same three notes but diverging in opposite directions, with Batman’s line ascending and Catwoman’s descending. This adds complexity to their relationship, reinforcing the tension between them. Their themes clash and weave in tracks like "Sore Spots", "Rooftop Encounter" and "Final Confrontation", creating a musical narrative that speaks to their intricate dynamic. Similarly, the Penguin’s theme often finds itself in direct combat with Batman’s, particularly in action cues like “Batman Vs. The Circus” and “The Penguin’s Master Plan,” where the two themes battle for musical dominance.

Elfman’s score also blends in Christmas-like tones, maintaining a delicate balance between eerie whimsy and darker, more tragic elements. Some may argue that Batman Returns lacks the heroic grandeur of Elfman’s original Batman score, but it’s clear that Elfman was more focused on exploring new emotional and thematic depths. The score’s richness and complexity make it a fascinating, immersive listening experience, especially for those drawn to Elfman’s unique style.

In addition to the score, Elfman co-authored the song "Face to Face" with the alternative rock group Siouxsie and the Banshees. The song plays during the pivotal masquerade ball scene where Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle (Batman and Catwoman's alter egos) confront their identities, adding an additional layer to their romantic yet doomed connection. The song seamlessly blends orchestral elements from Elfman’s score, weaving in elements of all three of the major character themes, making it a standout piece in the film’s musical landscape.

Over the years, Elfman’s Batman Returns score has seen multiple releases, each offering different content and sound quality for fans and collectors. The original 1992 release from Warner Bros. Records offered a 54-minute selection of highlights, featuring the major thematic cues and action pieces, but presented them out of chronological order and omitted some of the more intricate transitions. Additionally, the sound quality of this release was a point of discussion, with its mix often described as flat and lacking in depth, causing many elements of the rich orchestral recording to be muted or lost in the background. In 2010, La-La Land Records released a 2-CD edition (reissued in 2014) that presented the complete score, including previously unreleased cues and alternate takes. This edition allowed listeners to dive deeper into the thematic richness and character motifs that Elfman carefully developed. However, for casual listeners, the expanded edition may feel overwhelming, as its extended length and intricate details can be too dense for those looking for a more streamlined experience.

Renovatio Records’ new release strikes a middle ground, offering a more concise, yet still comprehensive, version of the score. Presented in chronological order, it allows for a more cohesive listening experience while preserving the key musical highlights and thematic progression. Batman Returns remains one of Elfman’s most inventive and memorable film scores, a perfect companion to Burton’s dark, fantastical vision of the Caped Crusader, and a testament to Elfman’s unparalleled ability to create mood and character through music.


Track listing:

1. Birth of a Penguin (2:26)
2. Main Title (3:12)
3. Batman Vs. The Circus (4:11)
4. The Penguin's Lair (4:40)
5. Selina's Transformation (5:30)
6. The Cemetery (3:12)
7. Cat Chase (5:22)
8. Sore Spots (3:15)
9. Rooftop Encounter (4:10)
10. Batman's Wild Ride (3:41)
11. The Fall from Grace (3:42)
12. The Penguin's Master Plan (6:48)
13. Final Confrontation (4:47)
14. Finale (2:41)
15. A Shadow of Doubt (2:18)
16. End Credits (4:47)
17. Face to Face (4:18) - Performed by Siouxsie and The Banshees

Total Running Time: 69:00



Size: 391.5 MB
Files type: FLAC Audio File [.flac]
Channels: 2 (stereo)
Sample Rate: 44.1 KHz
Sample Size: 16 bit
Bit Rate: 1,411 kbps


Cover Artwork:






Credits:

Music Composed by Danny Elfman

Produced by Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek
Executive in Charge of Music for Warner Bros. Inc.: Gary LeMel
Business Affairs: Keith Kajic

Orchestrations by Steve Bartek
Additional Orchestrations by Mark McKenzie
Conducted by Jonathan Sheffer
Contractor: Patti Zimmitti
Adult Vocal Contractor: Bobbi Page
Recorded by Shawn Murphy at Sony Music Scoring, Culver City, CA
Mixed by Shawn Murphy at CBS Television City, Hollywood, CA
Music Editors: Bob Badami and Bill Bernstein
Assistant Engineers: Sue McLean and Sharon Rice
Digital Editing and Mastering: Dave Collins at A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA
Copyist: Joel Franklin
Danny Elfman's Filmmusic Representation: Richard Kraft and Lyn Benjamin, The Kraft Agency, Inc.
Danny Elfman's Management: Mike Gormley and Laura Engel, LA Personal Development
Personal Assistant to Danny Elfman: Lisette Joselynn

"Face to Face"
Words and Music by Danny Elfman and Siouxsie and The Banshees
Produced by Stephen Hague
Record Engineered by Mike "Spike" Drake
Film Mix by Bill Jackson
Performed by Siouxsie and The Banshees
Courtesy of Polydor Limited and Geffen Records
Published by Warner-Tarmerlan Pub. Corp./Little Maestro Music BMI/Dreamhouse Music PRS.

Score Published by Warner-Tamerlane Pub. Corp. BMI

Cue Assembly:

Track Title

Cue Title

1. Birth of a Penguin

Birth of a Penguin

2. Main Title

Main Title

3. Batman vs. The Circus

Penguin Spies (Edited)

Shadow of Doom (Edited)

Batman vs. The Circus (Edited)

Introducing the Bat (Edited)

4. The Penguin’s Lair

Intro

The Zoo

The Lair (Edited)

5. Selina’s Transformation

Kitty Party

Selina Transforms

6. The Cemetery

The List Begins

The Cemetery (Edited)

7. Cat Chase

Selina’s Shopping Spree

Cat Chase (Edited)

8. Sore Spots

Sore Spots

Batman’s Closet (Edited)

9. Rooftop Encounter

Roof Top Encounters (Edited)

10. Batman’s Wild Ride

Batman’s Wild Ride (Edited)

11. The Fall from Grace

Fall from Grace (Edited)

12. The Penguin’s Master Plan

Umbrella Source

The Children’s Hour

War (Edited)

13. Final Confrontation

Final Confrontation (Edited)

14. Finale

Finale

15. A Shadow of Doubt

A Shadow of Doubt

16. End Credits

End Credits (Alternate)

17. Face to Face – Siouxsie and the Banshees

Face to Face – Siouxsie and the Banshees


Batman is a trademark of © DC Comics Inc. Motion picture artwork and photos © 1992 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. This compilation and cover artwork © 2024 Renovatio Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. For promotional use only.

Renovatio Records [0-01702-19070]