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Posted on Friday, December 30th, 2011 at 07:24pm by Paul (ral)
Batman Forever Expanded CD review

La-La Land Records releases their 3rd live-action Batman score today (get it here). Batman-Online.com founder and editor Paul Rodgers, having been lucky enough to get an advanced listen of the double CD, gives his thoughts.

Composer and Producer Elliot Goldenthal

Like Batman in 1989, Batman Forever had 2 soundtrack releases. One was a various artists album, with tracks by Flaming Lips and The Offspring...and charts toppers from U2 and Seal. The other album was a score release with around 40 mins of music. A selection of music from Batman Forever also showed up on the excellent CD "The Batman Trilogy" - orchestrated by Joel McNeely and the Scottish National Orchestra - and as a B-side on U2's single "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me".

When it comes to Batman scores I am a self-confessed Elfman-snob. The score to Batman Forever is not one I have spent much time pondering since it's initial release in 1995. Having made that confession, I also have to state that this Expanded CD gives my snobbish-ass a well deserved kick. From a "musical-preference" point of view I will always prefer the scores to other Batman films, however - Elliot Goldenthal's work on Batman Forever is (and always should have been) deserving of my admiration.

I do have issues with Batman Forever as a film. It has moments of greatness that are tragically over-shadowed by what I like to call "over-indulgent  lapses in plausibility". One thing is for certain though - Batman Forever is better because of it's score.

Booklet and CDs

It's presented here in 56 tracks covering 2 CDs. As well as the complete film score, there is an unused piece, the track that was a b-side on the U2 single and the original score album release. Liner notes are provided by John Takis. John provides a great summary of the history of the score and, as usual with La-La Land's releases, imparted some great information. Elliot Goldenthal's thoughts and memories on each track are provided - a benefit, I assume, of having the composer produce the CD. I now have a greater appreciation for the influences Goldenthal drew upon to create themes (especially Two-Face). The artwork on the CD is great - with original Batman Forever fonts being used...which I thought was a nice touch. It is also lavashed with images from the movie - both promotional and still. One complaint I do have though when it comes to the booklet is this: the size of the font for the main body of text in the booklet is smaller than in the other releases I have seen. A minor quibble I am sure you will agree...but a quibble none-the-less.

It is beautifully recorded. Even though there is lots of experimentation in this score (though I am not a big fan of the theremin - it doesn't seem over used when listening to the album as a whole), you get to really appreciate the scope of the sound and revel in the space between the instruments - it is very broad and rich. The production by Goldenthal himself really brings that space out. Another appreciation of Goldenthal that this set has given me (by being able to focus on the music as a whole) is the "classical" sound that Forever's score has at times. I may regard this music as much more of an experience than a film score in the traditional sense, but there are moments that wouldn't be out of place in a classical symphony (at times I get a Danse Macabre vibe from the score).

Although inconsistency may be one of the major complaints of Forever's score, I think that is also one of it's greatest strenghts: variety - the mix of new and old, classical and nouveau...which is quite a feat for a score that is over 15 years old - it still feels fresh!

"..much more of an experience than a film score.."

Being able to listen to the music without the distraction of the visuals, sound effects and annoying security guard is a revelation. Even though Batman Forever had a seperate score release, it cannot compare to this set from La-La Land Records. Now for the first time, you can really listen to every nuance of the theme's Goldenthal created. As I said before, Goldenthal produced this special release himself, opting also to arrange the tracks slightly differently from the chronologial order dictated by the film. The result is very satisfying. With most scores you can listen and follow the music while picturing the movie - every now and again this CD suprises you and lets you get lost in the music. I found that really allows you to discover new elements with the music.

If you are unfamiliar with Forever's score, then there is plently to discover here - from solo violins that envoke memories of silent horror films to modern brash superhero athems and what I can only describe as electro-punk. If you are not a fan of Forever's score, then perhaps this CD set might just change your mind...as it did mine.

If you are already a fan of Forever's score then there is plenty to be excited about. The presentation here is something that may well have been constructed by Edward Nygma himself - the all-encompasing nature of the music has penetrated deep into my mind. Mind manipulation...tampering with peoples brainwaves...

A landmark film score that finally gets the treatment it deserves. 8/10

Batman Forever: Expanded Archival Collection- 2 CD Set is priced at $29.98 and limited to 3,500 copies. It is available from La-La Land Records. You can also hear a selection of tracks on La-La Land's page.

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