Why The Batman's Theme is a Musical Masterpiece
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 авг 2022
- 🚨 Make sure to turn on captions to see the commentary! 🚨
We often forget how much effort and meaning musicians put into their work. Hours upon hours worth of passion and ideas - all condensed into a track that only lasts a few minutes at most. Here, I'll briefly try to appreciate some of that genius by examining Michael Giacchino's theme for The Batman.
All music and visuals used in this video are property of Warner Bros. 
Кино
![Why Electro's Theme is a Musical Masterpiece [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NWZsr5Hqwxo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Why Electro's Theme is a Musical Masterpiece [CC]](/img/tr.png)
RUclips's compression really hit this video hard so be sure to watch on the highest possible settings!
As mentioned in the video, Warner Bros. made me cut out the last two minutes of the video due to copyright. So I'll just type out what I was going to say in the paragraphs below. My final thoughts were in reference to this scene: ruclips.net/video/sow5pUR4RVc/видео.html (Because I guess OTHER RUclips channels are allowed to use the footage but not me huh?)
*Oddly enough, one of the most important aspects of Micheal Giacchino's Batman theme, is when he chooses NOT to use it. The final time we hear it is when the caped crusader cuts the power line and falls into the water. This is the first time in the movie we seem him saving lives as Batman without punching somebody, and this is why Giacchino's music sounds so dramatic as he performs the act. His life isn't in danger, but he's symbolically killing his 'Vengeance' persona. The same persona that inspired the Riddler, and contributed to Gotham's perpetual problems.*
*Once he rises from the water (pretty obviously mirroring a baptism,) we hear nothing that even resembles his motif. Instead the soundtrack becomes gentle and soft as we see him offering help to the people of Gotham. Vengeance is gone and we never hear his theme ever again. Instead, we're now hearing music for this new superhero that has learned to punish crime while also inspiring hope. We're finally hearing the music of The Batman.*
Apologies that I had to cut that segment out, but then again it really isn't my fault so... anyway if you want to see more content like this please be sure to like, comment and subscribe! I hope you all enjoyed the video, and I'll see you in the next one ❤
My edit of The Batman's theme: ruclips.net/video/5oRYP95JxD4/видео.html
Sucks that you had to cut out 2 minutes out, but I still loved the video along with your analysis and commentary 🤍
Great vid as always. Sucks that YT blocked the last part, but what are you gonna do? By the way, could I prevail upon you to break down the music in Loki? For it truly is... glorious
Great analysis right there! Loved it ❤️
love your work mate. love the small details you point out that seems obvious after the fact, like the bells resembling the judgement toll.
brilliant
Had goosebumps after the "let me ask you a simple question:". Not just because what follows really did creep me out, but because you presented your point so perfectly, letting the scene and music speak for itself. You're not just knowledgeable, you know how to present that knowledge.
I even read it with a cool voice in my mind XD
I liked it
"The hell are you supposed to be?"
*"I'm knowledgeable"*
Yep. Perfect point made perfectly
"You might never run into him. But if you do, then god help you." I love this. Perfect description of Batman.
So u wish the god's help to the criminals? Okay.
@@bio-garbage Not literally, It’s a saying that implies “you are fucked”
@@bio-garbage no he means if you dont got a hallway pass and batman is there
One line I remember form a obscure comic I cannot even remember the name of. It was a parody of DC comics at the time, about 12 years ago. The gist was a bunch of villains got together to plan a major heist and they were trying to decide where to start it. None of them were big names. One of them said 'Gotham' and everyone 'else' shook their heads. Being a fool, he damned why and everyone turned to him and spoke in unison.
'Do not anger the Batman!"
I wish I could find that comic now.
@@bio-garbage yes
Michael Giacchino is a god. He made me hum batman's theme while walking for MONTHS. It fits so well to the character and vibe the film passes
After i walked out of the theatre, this theme was the only thing in my mind for days
@@silentnquiet haha exactly. They released the soundtrack before the movie i think it was january, so since that till march when the movie was released, this theme was in my head
@@rodrigofoli This shit was in my head since dec 2020 when the first suit reveal dropped
Yeah months later I still find myself humming this theme.
So that makes him a god?
Michael Giacchino never fails to deliver with superhero themes. Side note: I love how Moon Knight and Batman's new themes both revolve around sounding terrifying and grand all at once
moon knight is not Giacchino
@@wattosoldier he never said it was
22 WW1 i2p
@@Polymerata ?
1:08
The moment you said "Does this make you feel safe?"
Gave me goosebumps along with the look of the criminal.
“Does this make you feel safe” is something I never thought to ask myself when listening to this theme, but now that you have asked and I’ve given the song another good listen I can tell you that I truly do feel the fear of vengeance. This theme is incredible for The Batman and fits his darker more revenge-centric approach to “heroism” perfectly. I’m hoping in The Batman 2 we get a theme more in the likes of Danny Elfman’s Batman theme, since that one is really similar to Giachinno’s just a lot more triumphant and heroic in tone.
Great video and analysis into an incredible piece of music.
I'll be honest, I'll be sad if this one doesn't return just because it sounds so awesome, even if it wouldn't make sense thematically. Perhaps they could mix this theme with something more heroic, as Batman has found the balance between helping civilians and punishing criminals.
@@hunterlawrence3573 I think someone mentioned that it would be cool if they reserved this motif for only the moments when he’s terrorizing his enemies. It would fit nicely thematically while also not just keeping it as his central theme and pretending like he didn’t grow from the first movie.
@@artloverivy I think that's a great idea
It would make narrative sense as well. Throughout the film, he’s clearly disturbed by the cult-following the Riddler had built up, and Catwoman expresses surprise that he and Riddler aren’t allies, since they both target the guilty. When he finally catches the Riddler, Batman learns that he himself had indirectly inspired him and his followers to become killers, from the Riddler’s surprise at his disapproval of his methods to one of the cultists in the arena quoting his “vengeance” line. By the end of the movie, Batman’s realised where he had been going wrong and decides to focus more on helping the innocent than just punishing the guilty.
Perhaps they can do what they did from the TASM soundtracks, have the first a more serious and dark tone, while giving the sequel a more lighter and more heroic tone.
3:32 No one is talking about this seamless transition into the main theme. The whole video is edited and worded masterfully but that switch from Bat in the Rafters to The Batman gave me straight up chills
Glad you noticed! That part was so hard to make seamless 😂 I spent an entire day cutting up the track until it finally sounded right. I think there’s like 16 or 18 soft-cuts in the final version of that transition.
@@artloverivy Well if no one else does, know that at least one person appreciates your hard work. You earned a sub
@@artloverivy I noticed right away that was the case. Great job
Bro even remembers theme's soecific names 💥
Always love a good analysis of Micheal Giachino's work. If I were a teacher I'd give you an A+
A+ is kinda low for him...Give Him atlast AAA×
Instead hand him the teacher post
I just noticed that in 3:24 the music sounds like its chanting "Nananana BATMAN!"
Giacchino is a legend
Well, Matt Reeves did tell his costume department to make the Adam West suit work for the movie.
your choice of letting the music speak for itself, by just asking "does this make you feel safe?", makes it so much damn effective to appreciate the darkness and. just. how great the soundtrack is. epic job as always.
This is seriously one of the best analysis I've ever seen. I got literal chills when you asked "Does this make you feel safe?" POINT PROVED IN 6 WORDS!
I honestly don’t think I’ve really seen something like this song portray Batman so well. Someone who isn’t good, who isn’t kind, but someone who is justice incarnate, a force of nature. Someone who cares, but doesn’t care enough to feel. He is something that no one will ever understand
His batman tas opening?
"you have committed evil. And your day of reckoning is here. Vengeance has arrived."
this part literally made me vibrate
1:43 "You might never run into him. But if you do, then god help you." GOOSEBUMPS
“Does this make you feel safe?” Exactly! This is why I love the companion piece “sonata in darkness” because it’s the exact opposite instead of a menacing death march its a triumphant peaceful and heroic number that makes me not only feel safe but strong enough to get through the pain I love this entire score
One of the things i find so beautiful with the actual theme for the film is that it introduces us to the track with the main vengeance notes for like a minute but then it stops, introducing us now to the bruce wayne or "hope" theme. It has more notes, more feelings, it grows, it tells a story, it tells us that he is a good person, that he wants to help and make things better. Surely enough that's the theme we end with at the finale of the movie, but in the track it diminishes and transitions back into the vengeance theme for nearly 3 minutes, growing each time, with more intensity and more fear. It tells us that with every blow he throws, deep down, he believes he's helping, he's honoring his parent's legacy, but on the outside we see the truth. We see the results. We see that he is not yet cleansing Gotham the way he wants to, and because of it, he's angry, just as the theme rises and rises until it can't anymore and ends, fading slowly back into the piano again, as if after a fight against some criminals, Bruce is exhaling after expelling all his anger. Giacchino truly gave us the best Batman theme to date.
We don't deserve how good this movie is
It's really just four notes, just a simple "dun dun dunn dun dunnnnnnn" and Giacchino made it sound so freaking epic! Gawd Dayum I love this theme, it does make you feel like Batman when you hum it for no reason. Makes everything seem more important and dramatic.
It almost sounds like Darth Vader's theme.
Clicked this literally as soon as I got the noti. I love the new batman theme so much!
📍 This comment ^
Batman’s theme here is so unique to a superhero. Can we even call him a superhero in this iteration?
There’s a strong vibe of villainy and cruelty, it is sinister yet at the same time the guitar riffs that are played occasionally make it sound western, like a sheriff or a rogue vigilante.
It perfectly encapsulates a gothic and frightening Batman whilst still keeping a bit of his heroism being the unofficial Sheriff of Gotham.
An anti-hero seems like an accurate description: good intentions, near-villainous solution
@@gabrielcalda7033 More like an Anti-Hero transitioning to the Hero that Gotham needs, as we see over the course of the film
@@gabrielcalda7033there is nothing villainous about beating the shit out of someone who deserves it
Yeah imagine if batman comes to meet to in midnight you're not gonna be happy instead of it your balls will start tremble
@@toastyeditz But will he be the hero Gotham deserves?
Been waitin for this!! I love The Batman's theme and your analysis is the best description for it.
I can't wait to hear his theme for the sequel.
It has to sound more heroic and inspiring than this villainous and fearful tone.
Another thing- I also like in some parts of the movie, like the Penguin chase scene, his theme kicks in almost everytime they showed him on screen after switching view of Oz. As if they were, dramatizing his appearance.
I love the movie🤣
I think ideally we'll here this fearful theme while he's scaring criminals, but something heroic sounding each time he saves civilians. He's still a boogeyman for Gotham's criminals, but now he's also a beacon of hope for the good people of Gotham
Came straight here when I saw the notif, I will never get enough of your videos. Sometimes they even come through the random playlists RUclips makes when I'm listening to music!
the captions make this video a masterpiece!
Let's goo, I was about to go to sleep, but ivys video is a must
This rendition of Batman's theme really emphasizes how he's essentially the boogeyman for Gotham's criminals
I've long awaited this! I love your work and in-depth commentary of these tracks! :)
Recently rewatched the movie ... i like how it draws parallels between bruce and the bat ... how people treat the two of them in contrast , how he acts in different personas .. this movie is a masterpiece
Batman Arkham:
YOOOOOO
It’s here!
I cannot wait to see another Mind-Blowing Analysis!
Thank you for your Hard Work, regardless of the hurdles this particular video faced (still a little salty, truthfully); I’m sure it’ll be Fantastic! 💫
You showed this perfectly, especially at the “Does this make you feel safe?” It shows, and like you said, how the criminals see batman, it’s so fucking good
This is a gothic description of the silent dark protector of Gotham through music
Wow!!!! I’m amazed!! Your understanding of how music conveys meaningful messages and stories is incredible! This analysis was so awesome!!!
This video perfectly encapsulates what I mean when I say I think The Batman has one of the best soundtracks of all time. Whenever I need to convince someone, I'm sending them a link to THIS video. Amazing work, and thank you for uploading! 🦇
Amazing video as always!! I LIVE for music analysis. Your Electro video gave me a new favorite song 😂 I was listening to The Batman soundtrack today so coincidence you uploaded this vid! I'm sad WB cut the video, but I loved the analysis in the pinned comment. Batman's reinventing on himself is one of my fav scenes in the movie, along with the beautiful, haunting, isolated, echoey bells that play before he cuts the cord, they are AMAZING. Michael's best soundtrack fr.
You finally got it out!
That was quite nice, and the way the info you conveyed through the captions without interrupting the sound of the music, that was quite fitting for a video that is analyzing a sound.
Love your analysis, been waiting for this for a long time.
Considering it's Michael Giacchino, I hope the main Batman theme gradually sounds more heroic (like the B:TAS theme) in the next couple of solo films for Battinson, like how the MCU Spider-Man theme sounds very childlike and innocent from Homecoming and Far From Home to an absolute beast of a theme in the Forget Me Knots soundtrack and the No Way Home final swing soundtrack which has a long ass name for a soundtrack lmao.
That'd be awesome!🦇
Micheal Giacchino is an amazing composer and I love how you break down all these amazing songs definetely a channel I will never get tired of
I haven’t watched the entire video but i know this another banger
This actually gave me chills,by the end of the video I felt out of breath..Brilliant commentary,it was like being struck with realization. It gave me a new perspective,it made me realize how much fear Batman's presence emits,specially towards the Criminals of Gotham city. Bravo! Keep up the good work!
Very kind words! Glad you enjoyed 😊
i remember subbing because of your video style, letting your audience appreciate the music for what it is with subtitles about your thoughts and breakdown on the score of the film or a characters theme etc. and i have not regretted it since your videos are amazing. thank you for putting so much effort into them.
Very kind words! Thank you 💖
Hell yeah
We already knew this was a masterpiece, but the explanation doesn't hurt!
“Unlike previous incarnations, this theme almost portrays Batman like a villain.”
**laughs in Tom Holkenborg**
I’ve adored how multiple modern themes for the character have basically accompanied Batman with what can best be described as horror movie music. Truly putting you in the shoes of a Gotham criminal as you feel what they would feel encountering this demon of the night (look no further than the track “Vigilante” from Batman v Superman).
Vigilante feels Like A Slasher Movie Theme Either Than horroic..The Batman has balanced between Horror and heroic...
I feel The Vigilante From BvS gone too much Horror And didn't feel like a batman theme..This one is Mixed between both horror and actual batman theme vibe(If I am not wrong than BvS Vigilante Theme is God Awful)
Ear Problems May I know?...Its Really far similar to vigilante
L
You guys complain that the music in BvS makes Batman sound like a straight up villain when that’s _the entire point of the movie._ Bruce isn’t in his right mind throughout that whole movie. He’s old, angry, and hopeless. So the music accompanies him as such.
Wow, amazing! Now I can watch the movie with extra new feelings!
I've recently figured out why I liked the piece so much, and it is because both it and the imperial march were inspired by Chopin's Funeral March
The timing between the music and your analysis is absolutely perfect and gave me chills.
OMG I missed you
These video essays you make are the true masterpieces. Your works are some pleasure to watch; Awesome and amazing stuff.
Great analysis, man. That "Vengeance has ariived" at 2:06 was hard-hitting.
But I disagree that there's no other theme of Batman which portrays him as a villain. I don't know what you think about BvS but although
Batfleck was its protagonist, but Superman was its hero and Batfleck was one of the villains. That film and Batman's theme intended to show that this character is not THE Batman anymore (like Superman wasn't THE Superman YET). He's not that hero amymore, he's lost his path. And that film was telling us that Batman is actually an entity which is supposed to be feared first.
I always thought the music was a master piece but I didn't realize it could be explained as well as you have here.
Nailed it. I was wondering how Michael giacchino would portray the batman music and themes. He didn't disappoint
not to mention the geniusness behind the riddler's theme! the Ave Maria theme but played in minor key basically epitomises his goal -- to gain purity through his own twisted ways of ridding the corrupt
Because this movie was the worst first date ever and it was (probably) the biggest factor costing me a relationship. That is how I will forever remember this song 🥲
Michael giachino is awesome. I remember his soundtracks in mission impossible ghost protocol where tom cruise was running out of burj khalifa and sandstorm was approaching and the bgm michael gave to that scene was legendary it added more intensity to that scene, which shows michael's skill is not just confined to this theme
The Batman 2022 music score is a chef's kiss
I really love your videos! As a musician seeing your analysis on different themes is just amazing, the way you mix your opinions with an actual formal inspection of everything makes your videos really special. Keep it up with the good content and I can't wait to see what's next!
I would occasionally play this video while playing Arkham Knight.
That includes trying slowly to walk and punch enemies to the music.
Lmao that’s awesome
I also remember seeing someone else comment beautifully, that the theme is the same motif just repeated and getting louder which is perfect for Batman. He's not a ghost or a ghoul or anything hugely complicated. He's just a man with a clear goal walking slowly and getting closer.
Youve put into words perfectly why I love Giacchino's Batman theme and why it's such an amazing piece. Reading your commentary while listening to the theme was such an experience. Great analysis.
Damn, just want to point out how good the transitions between songs are that you don't even notice them. As always, the commentaries are a masterclass. Your Electro video basically changed my mind on that theme, though for this one, I already loved it the moment I heard it in cinemas
Probably my favourite parts is at 1:55 when we hear a snippet of Bruce Wayne's theme for the first time in the movie. On first viewing, it adds that extra layer of tension and anxiety which makes the theme sound like a contained explosion moments before release.
But it gets better, imo. Knowing that’s Bruce’s theme and hearing it throughout the film when he’s portrayed as gentle, vulnerable, or heroic injects a human element into the theme. When we hear the motif again, we're also reminded that he’s a person, a child. A child who has endured unspeakable pain. Which is scarier, because now he's a ruthless freak who will bring that pain down on others
Or idk maybe I'm just hearing things
This is becoming my favourite channel. Your commentaries are spot on!!
Wow this video is so beautifully put. This theme is amazing and what you said makes it click so much more, it’s not a theme song for us to enjoy. It’s for the criminals to fear.
This iteration of Batman is possibly the most brutal and real in terms of pacing and combat, this theme is perfect for it.
Thanks for summarising emotions we feel while watching a movie but cannot describe. Your expression through subtitles are awesome, and beautiful for spot on observations. 😊
its really mindblowing that the theme is JUST 2 NOTES at its base! 😳😳
How did Michael Giacchino not get nominated for best score, at the Oscars, this should've won best score
"Unlike previous incarcerations, this theme makes batman loom almost like a villain."
Ben Affleck: Am I a joke to you?
Fr tho Ivy can you do one on Batfleck's theme? It was made by Hans Zimmer AND Junkie XL. So you know it's really good.
Ehhhh it had no hopeful part in it
I mean a Batman who brands criminals and guns them down in cold blood is a villain in my eyes
I'm so fucking happy I found this channel. Masterpiece idea
Thank you! Glad to have you here 🤗
Absolutely loved this review. Always thought that every single note in The Batman's Theme impacted me so much in the cinema. Couldn't sleep that night. Michael Giacchino is an absolute music genius and you have depicted exactly just that.
I love how you point out how the main theme sounds like it's meant for the villain, and not the hero! The idea that Batman is like the monster in a horror movie is really unique!
If you watch Batman’s face in the lest scene, you can see him under the mask, searing with anger, teeth gritted putting his full force into those punches, you root for him, and yet your scared, scared he’ll come for you next, scared that you’ll become like him scared your worse than him, and then, it cuts to black, and all you can see is you….And then you know you can be better, you can be the bat, you, can do it.
I swear this movie is the purest distillation of art. And your commentary made it so much better, I knew he was being violent prusuing vengeance, and that in the end he learned that he had not just to punish criminals but save people.
But know, thanks to your commentary (I even read the pinned comment), it makes me realize that the reason why the Vengeance approach didn't work was because, yes, he was beating criminals up, but the was fixing the chaos, he was just adding to that chaos, as an opposing force to evil, but what is chaos? Lack of order. With no order, what even is being "an opposing force" aren't all forces opposing each other like wind currents in a tornado for example? So he just added more chaos.
But know, he knows that he should not be vengeance, but a symbol of hope to people, to yes, defeat all of the villains but not out of the hatred for them, but out of the kindess and love for the citizens of Gotham, aiding them and showing them that a bright future can be reached, and that he is here to fight for them from the shadows :') 🖤
I love this man, thanks for improving the movie for me (I didn't even think that was possible), and in conjunction with the movie, you even changed my perspective on life a little bit :')
Tbh i feel like Arkham Batman made me look at things differently, Arkham trilogy & 2 other vids made me interested in Batman, fascinated. Also i felt like i wanted to help people like Him
But if most of us were trying to be like Batman, we'd just be an open targets. I'm glad that this movie helped u in a way. I'm excited to watch it for the first time
NOW PLEASE, do a Why The Joker 2019's theme is a masterpiece PLEASEEE
When I first heard this I just thought it was a sped up imperial march, now I think the Batman is an entirely other thing
Michael Giacchino hasn't lost his edge when making this Fantastic Theme for Batman,I definitely love that small Guitar Riff in the beginning which gives me vibes of The Batman 2004.
Its finally hereeee! I rlly loved the batman's theme
I'm happy that after some difficulties you finally managed to post this video. I like your channel since the first video of the musical masterpieces, and I support you as an incredible creator. Good work, as always!
Beautifully broken down and incredibly elaborated! Amazing video!!
as a filmmaker, this channel is treasure for me.
I love it, good video
This is more than enough for me to rewatch the movie
Amazing explanation man
Gave me more reasons than i already have to love the theme and the movie
i’d also like to note, the first time we hear the vengeance motif in the movie is while he puts on his eye makeup. one of the only times you can hear a hi-hat in his theme, and i feel like the hi-hat shows you that he’s just a guy in a suit.
but when you see him from a criminal’s perspective, it’s much more horn oriented. i don’t know, just an observation.
Very good point.
I’d like to point out the guitar motif at 0:16 which implies his grappling gun QuickDraw to be almost like a western gunslinger. Idk if this was intended but I found his use of the grappling gun and his suit having a leg holster to make it seem like he’s the vigilante gun slinger of Gotham. Awesome analysis of the main theme 👍🏻.
That’s a very cool interpretation I like it! Especially with how he walks up to the face-paint gang with a slow stride like a cowboy challenging them to a duel. There’s definitely merit to your observation!
That's another amazing video from you..
The explanation you give helps to understand that soundtrack even more.. because I'm not a musician myself so I don't really get all the instruments and motifs the musician is trying to give..but you made them very clear.. that's the speciality of you and your channel
Please never stop doing this videos!!!!!
Your channel is an instant surprise for us who enjoy soundtracks and consider it as a vital component in making a movie....a Movie! Thank you.
Question: Do you plan on covering Man of Steel some day?
Also, fantastic vid as always man👌
I like how you tried giving the score a narrative reason as to why it’s so repetitive. That was dope.
Maybe the reason why it’s so ingrained in my mind is because of how simple it is.
Holy shit. Your analysis on his quest being flawed because no matter how much he does the city only gets worse was something i had never noticed. Obviously all the villains say that to him. But they are villains. Their word doesnt carry much weighted truth. And comparing the songs repetition to batmans unwillingness to change his approach is something i had never thought of. Well done. Omg.
Man! You summarized exactly what the movie made me feel. I remember Matt Reeves talked about how the music was made before they started shooting the movie.
Keep doing what you do man this stuff is educational. Personally i never knew these deep meanings behind these soundtracks. Nice job man
I saw the movie again after seeing this and I appreciate every detail you gave. This explanation was so amazing, thank you!
That tension in the music building up as the batman came out from shadows was perfectly edited. It felt like they are introducing a monster.
HELL YEAHHH! This movie was great, the soundtrack was great, and this video was great! Well worth the wait! even if someone doesn't let you post some of it...
Nothing much here.... just pure goosebumps
I always loved soundtracks and thought I was good at listening to them indepth but you take it to a whole other level, I loved when you asked if I felt safe because it clicked that I most certainly don't feel safe listening to this, infact I feel a little scared. Great video, I hope someday I can analyze music like you.
the point about the repetitive motif never finding resolution and batman that cannot accept his vengeance theory is wrong is fantastic. hats off that you pointed out how Giacchino linked such a simple music theory canon and character's line.
This theme is PURE BATMAN!!!