Batman Returns: Original Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0075992697224 Label: WEA Manufacturer: WEA Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: WEA Release Date: 1992-06-29 Studio: WEA
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Editorial Reviews: Between Batmans, Danny Elfman scored the marvellous Edward Scissorhands, and its sugar-plum effect on all his subsequent scores has been clear. "Birth Of A Penguin" opens this disc with a wonderfully cheesy organ blare, and then becomes a tinkling choral Christmas for the Cobblepots. The "ooh" of the choir continues to pop up at unexpected junctures, even deconstructing the formally martial Batman theme for the titles. The Penguin's theme is hardly recognisable in this prologue, but makes a grand entrance at "The Cemetery". The three-pointed portrait of schizophrenia is then completed by what's in essence a rather predictable Catwoman theme that nevertheless dazzles in the way its meowing strings bend and sexily glide. As before, poor Bruce Wayne/Bats hardly gets a look-in for screen time. But whereas the first score regurgitated one theme in a million brilliant variations, this sequel pares right back in favour of the new. "Batman vs. The Circus" is more about the composer's love for carnival standards than action scoring. The "End Credits" suite encapsulates everything in what could easily have come first as an overture. And for once the song included ("Face To Face" by Elfman and Siouxsie & the Banshees) is an integral part of movie and score. --Paul Tonks
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: A career-best from Elfman Comment: After such a fantastic scoring effort on Batman, I thought Elfman's hopes of topping it were fairly slim. He not only topped it but in my opinion produced a classic that is my favourite score of Elfman's career. Sandwiched between the two Batman movies, the effect of Elfman & Burton's Edward Scissorhands is obvious (Birth of a Penguin) and the festive setting of Returns gives the perfect opportunity for the 'La-la' choir that the composer handles so well. The highlight of this score is the addictive four-note Penguin theme that perfectly captures the twisted spirit of the villain in all of its variations. In it's last statement (The Final Confrontation) the funeral arrangement of his theme stayed with me long after the movie was over. For Catwoman we have the screeching sounds of 'mioaw' strings that are playful, sexy, angry and doomed. Batman's theme takes more of a back seat on this outing but the sheer richness of the rest of the score (Elfman had a little more character substance to work with) sets it above the original. The quality of the disc is superb but for some reason the orchestra just doesn't sound as 'big' as the original, especially the snare drums (not sure if this is due to the orchestra size or the mixing). Bonus points for presentation of the score album: tracks like 'Cat Suite', 'Batman vs the Circus', 'Rise and Fall from Grace' and 'End Credits' are spot-on arrangements. And finally, it wraps with 'Face to Face' by Siouxsie, an excellent song based on the Penguin's theme. I can't recommend it enough. If you have not already discovered Elfman's Batman scores then I envy you. Customer Rating: Summary: A career-best from Elfman Comment: After such a fantastic scoring effort on Batman, I thought Elfman's hopes of topping it were fairly slim. He not only topped it but in my opinion produced a classic that is my favourite score of Elfman's career. Sandwiched between the two Batman movies, the effect of Elfman & Burton's Edward Scissorhands is obvious (Birth of a Penguin) and the festive setting of Returns gives the perfect opportunity for the 'La-la' choir that the composer handles so well. The highlight of this score is the addictive four-note Penguin theme that perfectly captures the twisted spirit of the villain in all of its variations. In it's last statement (The Final Confrontation) the funeral arrangement of his theme stayed with me long after the movie was over. For Catwoman we have the screeching sounds of 'mioaw' strings that are playful, angry and doomed. Batman's theme takes more of a back seat on this outing but the sheer richness of the rest of the score (Elfman had a little more character substance to work with) sets it above the original. The quality of the disc is superb but for some reason the orchestra just doesn't sound as 'big' as the original (not sure if this is due to the orchestra size or the mixing). Bonus points for presentation of the score album: tracks like 'Cat Suite', 'Batman vs the Circus', 'Rise and Fall from Grace' and 'End Credits' are spot-on arrangements. And finally, it wraps with 'Face to Face' by Siouxsie, an excellent song based on the Penguin's theme. I can't recommend it enough. If you have not already discovered Elfman's Batman scores then I envy you. Customer Rating: Summary: Exquisite! Comment: Simply sublime! The wierdness of the classic film is perfectly captured by Elfman. The soprano choirs that have become his trademark can be found dotted all over the shop with the penguin's melody (which is reminiscent of Poor Jack from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'). The Birth of a Penguin tracks open the film on a high note, with the same accompaniment rhythm that was used in the Descent Into Mystery track from the first film. And of course there are loads of the tinkly bells that he uses so well in 'Edward Scissorhands.' The Batman vs. The Circus tracks are also groovy, with the carnival-esque themes. And last but not least we have the excellent Catwoman's theme. This is quite possibly his greatest achievement; miss it at your peril! Customer Rating: Summary: ELFMAN RETURNS TO STEP UP TO BAT! Comment: As far as the first film went Mr Elfman's style was a little too overelaborate at times (with the exception of the amazing End Title). This time is much more satisfactory, from the lush ride down the sewer with the Penguin to the deliriously exhilirating backflips of the Catwoman (accompanied by the usual abrupt finish as the building in the background goes up in flames in accordance with her "miaow!". This score also sets a new standard for treacly sentiment but with such fantastic stuff also contained here this minor quibble can just about be overlooked. The song contained on the soundtrack "Face to Face" by Siouxie and the Banshees/Danny Elfman is a smash and it's always nice to conclude with the March. Overall, a much pleasant affair with plenty to recommend it but also the odd moment or two that could have been slightly better. Customer Rating: Summary: Possibly Elfman's finest hour (and a bit) Comment: Tim Burton's long-time collaborator Danny Elfman had a field day with this soundtrack - it's one of his darkest and yet most enchanting scores, the film's images of the freakish Penguin, tortured Catwoman and eerie Gotham City all pandering perfectly to his gothic style. The setting of the film - Gotham's Christmas turned into a nightmare (yes, explored very soon after in the similarly Burton-produced and Elfman-scored 'Nightmare Before Christmas') serves to heighten even further the music's perverse blend of fairy-tale bells and terrifying organs, which here dominate far more than the familiar Batman theme and booming brass of the original film. This is a BAD GUYS' soundtrack(!), and almost every track is a haunting, ethereal joy which stands on its own as well as fitting into the overall product. For Elfman or Burton fans this is a must-have; for anybody else, this'll be unlike anything else in your CD collection... More Reviews