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:
Cover Artwork:
Credits:
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) |
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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) |
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14. Finale |
Finale |
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15. A Shadow of Doubt |
A Shadow of Doubt |
|
16. End Credits |
End Credits (Alternate) |
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17. Face to Face – Siouxsie and the Banshees |
Face to Face – Siouxsie and the Banshees |