"My 5 year old loves everything Batman. I never watch an entire Batman movie with him but when he showed interest in movie scores I naturally purchased this one. We all love it. I've listened to it several times while my boy's at school. It's got me completely turned on to Danny Elfman, hence I'll soon be broke... PS... Reduces the "are we almost there yet"s by 95% on hour car ride to grandma's. Partly because Dad pretends he's driving the bat-mobile and I think he drives faster....."
A great complitaion of the Batman music!
Batman | Oregon | 06/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What we get here is a mix of the dark and creepy Danny Elfman scores of Batman and Batman Returns and the much more different yet wonderful score of Elliot Goldenthal from Batman Forever. All three of these films contain great scores! Its nice to see them put together in a trilogy where they belong! A nice job by both composers. A must buy for any Batman fan!"
Impressive
Batman | 08/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A re-recording? Yes. But in every way as good as the original soundtracks. McNeely's cunducting is little different than Elfman's and in many ways, is better. For instance, track 10: Birth of a Penguin uses louder vocals which, in my opinion enhances the music. I'm impressed."
Solid, effective rerecording of these scores
Devster | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | 08/25/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I was first introduced to Joel McNeely through his scoring of the soundtrack for Star Wars:Shadows of the Empire, which made me less wary about buying this new recording of the Batman movie themes than I ordinarily would be. Elfman's work still shines through, though having tracks from all three movies really illustrates how the Goldenthal music from the third film doesn't connect as well to the first two. Themes, notably the Penguins in "Batman Returns: Birth Of A Penguin" (track 10, as mentioned in another review) are accentuated a touch differently by McNeely in comparison to the Elfman originals, but it's a solid recording. This compilation is a straightforward way to obtain a 'best of' the soundtracks from these movies without buying all three scores, if you don't mind a distinct lack of liner notes."
A GREAT TESTEMENT TO GREAT ARTISTRY
Finnius McArbuckle | OakTown | 07/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This compilation is a superb testament to the unique artistry of three composers. The first 'section' consists of music from "Batman". It is well done overall, although the main title is a little slow during the layered precussion sections. The most suprising track is the 'Finale' which is about a minute longer than the original version, Joel McNeely has added a few restatements of the famous four note statement. The second section is that from "Batman Returns" this section has some interesting pieces, a very tragic sound and more melodramatic than the first. The third section is that from "Batman Forever" This was composed by Eliot Goldenthal. The main title (batman's fanfare) starts off (literally) on the same note as Elfmans theme. However it immediatley changes into a simple fanfare that ends anti-climaticly. There is thirty seconds or so of the music underscoring Val Kilmer doning the Batsuit, but without the visuals, it is rather pointless. What follows that is playfull quasi-action/romantic music that is wonderfull to listen to. As a 'bonus' The TV theme is including. Watching the show I didn't care much for the theme and perfered the Elfman theme or (my personal favorite) the Shirley Walker theme. However McNeely has resucitated the theme and it is great, action packed and lively fun- just like the CD. A GREAT BUY!"