Director Christopher Nolan's brooding attempt at resurrecting the ailing Batman franchise is met head-on by two of film music's most prolific and recognizable characters. The ultra-serious tone that permeates Batman Begins is not limited to its gothic narrative and brooding visuals. Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard have crafted an atmosphere that relies less on the dynamics of Danny Elfman and more on the rain-soaked soundscapes of Brian Eno and Blade Runner-era Vangelis. With over 60 minutes of music, Batman Begins' glacial pace makes for a challenging listen, and its insistence on remaining unabashedly nocturnal -- each track is named for a specific species of bat -- is both admirable and frustrating, as the main theme doesn't truly appear until nearly four tracks in. Though each composer shares a co-writing credit, listeners who are familiar with their work will recognize the signatures -- Howard's bleak and pastoral string and piano cues keep the film grounded, while Zimmer utilizes the thunderous percussion and Soviet-bloc chord structures that fueled both Crimson Tide and Gladiator. For those who were hoping for an audio repeat of the 1989 original, Batman Begins may prove to be a disappointment, but for longtime fans of the caped crusader's darker past, the lack of a traditional "summer blockbuster popcorn" score will come as a welcome surprise. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
Batman Begins
06/14/2005
All Music Guide Review
Batman Begins Track Listing
Credits of Batman Begins
- Alan Meyerson
- Compilation
- Frank Ricotti
- Percussion
- Martin Tillman
- Electric Cello
- Gavyn Wright
- Orchestra Leader
- Hans Zimmer
- Producer
- Geoff Foster
- Engineer
- Brad Dechter
- Orchestration
- Doug Frank
- Executive in Charge of Music
- Becky Bentham
- Coordination
- Gavin Greenaway
- Conductor
- Bruce Maddocks
- Mastering
- Ian Wood
- Assistant
- Aaron Martin
- Technical Assistance
- Chris Barrett
- Assistant
- Steve Price
- Editing
- Simon Changer
- Editing Assistant
- Mark Wherry
- Engineer
- Richard Robson
- Editing
- Joerg Huettner
- Technical Assistance
- Annica Ackerman
- Assistant
- Andrew Zack
- Assistant
- Lorne Balfe
- Programming
- Abhay Manusmare
- Engineer
- Thomas Jesty
- Choir Boy
- Tristan Lillingston
- Technical Assistance
- Christopher Nolan
- Executive Producer
- Gary LeMel
- Executive in Charge of Music
- Al Clay
- Mixing
- Gary Kettel
- Percussion
- Bruce Fowler
- Orchestration
- James Newton Howard
- Producer
















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