The Score on TDK
Monday, July 21st, 2008
I know it’s called the Rock Blog, but I didn’t think you’d mind if I’m not limited to just “rock”. Not today anyway, since the coolest musical experience I had this weekend was going to see “The Dark Knight” in IMAX. There’s lots to rave about as I’m sure you’ve either read or experienced for yourself, so I won’t go on about the film as a whole, except to say I think it’s about as good as it gets.
One of the subtler aspects of the film, but one that stood out in my brain, was the excellent use of the score, which was composed by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. Forget the big bombast of Danny Elfman’s 1989 score (which was amazing for its time). The new music for the 21st century Batman franchise is actually fairly minimalist in lots of spots. To the best of my recollection, there was no music during the big chase scene, the exact place where you’d think you’d be given lots of over-the-top music.
The piece of music that stands out the most should really come as no surprise considering just how central the film The Joker is. Like every great character, The Joker has a theme, but it’s more a drone than any sort of orchestrated tune. In fact, its first few moments could be the end of a Neil Young and Crazy Horse jam. It’s eerie, ominous, rockin’, and altogether perfect for the craziest villain we’ve seen in cinema in years.
Check it out below (it’s long so if you don’t have too much time just listen to the first half), and then use JOKER as today’s bonus code.