In The Batman, we meet our new Batman, played by Robert Pattinson (Tenet). Batman has been protecting Gotham City for more than a year. Helping Batman is his trusted allies Alfred played by Andy Serkis (Black Panther) and Lt. James Gordon played by Jefferey Wright (No Time to Die). Soon a new series of mysterious crimes start happening that are committed by the Riddler, played by Paul Dano (Prisoners). Batman encounters other characters from the underworld such as Selina Kyle played by Zoe Kravitz (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), the Penguin played by Collin Farrell (The Gentlemen), and Carmine Falcone played by John Turturro (Transformers). Will Batman prevail and save justice from his biggest challenge yet? Find out Bat fans on this new Bat-venture!
The New Sounds of The Batman
A new Batman franchise means new music for the Caped Crusader. Batman will be serving justice in Gotham City with a score by Oscar-winning film composer, Michael Giacchino (Spider-Man: No Way Home). The long and short is this score isn’t what I expected and feels full-on Batman. If you saw the previews for The Batman you heard pieces of Michael Giacchino’s score. The preview music themes reminded me of music from The Dark Knight trilogy from composers Hans Zimmer (Dune) and James Newton Howard (Disney’s Jungle Cruise). This made me worried because I was hoping for something that stood apart from past Batman movies. Thinking I knew how the whole score would be from the preview is like judging a book by its cover. Giacchino delivers a fresh, haunting sound for the new Batman. At times the score feels like a funeral composition while setting a heavy emotional tone.
Michael Giacchino’s Sounds of The Batman
Life is hard for Bruce Wayne, Batman, and everyone in Gotham City. Giacchino created a score to represent those elements and an atmosphere to let viewers know that Batman still has more work to do to make the city good. While other Batman scores used a lot of string and brass sounds, Michael Giacchino delivers a piano-heavy sound. The piano gives The Batman a darker feel and at times a more horror movie tone. The soundtrack for The Batman could easily be used for a horror movie that needs the audience to be scared and ready for jumps. Giacchino’s score for The Batman is just what this new Dark Knight needs to show that this Batman is unlike the others, and his crusade will be a much darker one.
Michael Giacchino Is Ready to Answer the Bat-signal!
Michael Giacchino isn’t a stranger to comic book movies having provided music for Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and The Incredibles. Giacchino has also provided music for such large-scale films as the Jurassic World films, Up (Oscar winning score), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. For The Batman, Giacchino challenged himself to create a unique sound for this iconic character. The Batman director Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) in the Water Tower Music notes, noted that the score was written before a single frame was filmed. Listeners can hear Giacchino’s excitement in the score. The score for The Batman comes with fresh Giacchino sounds that are unlike past music and it’s also his most haunting score to date. While listening to this soundtrack I thought of composer John Williams (Jurassic Park) darker Star Wars themes, Bernard Herrmann (Vertigo), and composers Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind (The Shining).
With Great Superhero Movies Must Come Great Music!
When you think of great soundtracks in movie franchises you probably think of Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. The Batman movie franchise is one that also needs to be discussed. When it comes to movie franchise music, I think that superheroes get skipped in so many conversations. Superman, Spider-Man, and Batman all have great soundtracks. Michael Giacchino’s score for The Batman, stands apart from the other Bat-Scores. Each Batman comes with a different sound, but that’s because each Batman is different. Giacchino’s The Batman soundtrack continues the wonderful listening legacy of the Batman franchise. If I had to say which previous Batman film score this one sounded close to, I would say Danny Elfman’s Batman 1989 score.
Favorite Track!
“The Batman”
In closing!
The score to The Batman adds a new level to who this new Batman is and sets the mood for this scary new Gotham City. The soundtrack from composer Michael Giacchino is good for a listen with the movie and on its own.
Check back for a review of The Batman here on That Hashtag Show.
