How much can one create with just 2 notes? The answer is actually quite a lot if you're Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. And that's how most of the opening title sequence begins. Very different to Danny Elfman's original. In keeping with the darker, more introverted narrative style of Chris Nolan's version, the score of Batman Begins is itself a brooding cauldron of orchestra instruments, effects and synthesized sounds all structured around very simple themes. What I enjoyed the most is how everything is so rich and layered. Thunder, flapping wings and creaking sounds which would be not amiss in horror movies all blend with the orchestra to create the sort of hi budget textures and soundscapes which surround you like a big Hollywood explosion. This is not a thematic soundtrack – in fact i'd say the melodies and harmonies are downright rudimentary. But that is why it works so well as an orchestral score. And props to his engineers! Verdict: 7.5/10 (9/10 for the sound engineer)
