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Batman vs. Two-Face

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SOUNDTRACK REVIEW

Batman vs. Two-Face: Music From The DC Animated Movie
Studio: WaterTower Records
Release Date: October 6, 2017 - Physical, Digital Release

Synopsis: As the sequel to the 2016 hit animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, the all-new Batman vs. Two-Face finds Batman and Robin back in classic 1960s action, protecting Gotham City from some of the most nefarious villains in comics history. But when the mutilated master of multiplicity, Two-Face, begins staging a daring crime wave across Gotham, the Caped Crusaders must work double-time to discover his mysterious secret identity before they can halt his evil-doing – all the while combating the likes of Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Bookworm, Hugo Strange and King Tut! Music is produced by Dynamic Music Partners, which consists of composers Michael McCuistion, Kristopher Carter & Lolita Ritmanis.

Batman vs. Two-Face: Music From The DC Animated Movie Track Listing:

1. Batman Vs. Two-Face Main Title - Neal Hefti & Kristopher Carter
2. Breaking News - Lolita Ritmanis
3. Laboratory Equipment Test - Michael McCuistion
4. Harvey's New Face - Kristopher Carter
5. Sneak Like An Egyptian - Kristopher Carter
6. From The Ground Up - Lolita Ritmanis
7. To The Batcave...Again - Neal Hefti & Kristopher Carter
8. Answer Our Call - Lolita Ritmanis
9. Piecing Together Clues - Kristopher Carter
10. Batman In Pursuit - Kristopher Carter & Lolita Ritmanis
11. Canopic Jar Trap - Michael McCuistion
12. Interrogating Professor / Tut Is Guilty - Kristopher Carter
13. Addressed To Batman - Michael McCuistion
14. Clues Lead To Library - Kristopher Carter
15. Bookworm Caper - Kristopher Carter
16. Piecing It Together - Lolita Ritmanis
17. Two-Face Revealed - Michael McCuistion
18. Harvey's Story - Lolita Ritmanis
19. Go To Your Room - Lolita Ritmanis
20. Catwoman Is Pacing - Lolita Ritmanis
21. Robin Tails Harvey / The Threat Is Alive / Robin TwoFaceized - Kristopher Carter & Lolita Ritmanis
22. Duality / Through the Skylight - Lolita Ritmanis
23. Robin's Foreign Substance / Eight Ball Death Trap - Michael McCuistion
24. Sinister Invitations / Catwoman Lounging Around - Michael McCuistion & Lolita Ritmanis
25. Coin Toss Death Trap - Michael McCuistion
26. Villains Auction - Kristopher Carter
27. Game Show Coin Flip - Lolita Ritmanis
28. Bat Fight At Casino - Kristopher Carter
29. Batman Biplane Adventure - Kristopher Carter
30. Two-Face Takes Over - Michael McCuistion
31. Unhinged Crime / Batman Rooftop Save - Lolita Ritmanis & Kristopher Carter
32. How Did You Do It - Michael McCuistion
33. Batman Saves The Day Montage - Lolita Ritmanis
34. Charity Event Reunion - Michael McCuistion
35. Batman vs. Two-Face End Credits - Neal Hefti & Kristopher Carter
36. The Joker and Harley (BONUS TRACK) - Lolita Ritmanis
37. Egyptian Bus Party Source (BONUS TRACK) - Michael McCuistion
38. Another Party Source (BONUS TRACK) - Lolita Ritmanis

Review by James Harvey:

Dynamic Music Partners bring the music styles of Batman vs. Two-Face's "camp noir" to life, effortlessly jumping back and forth between the compositions we've come to associate with the 1960s Batman and a more serious, tense sound. The result is a soundtrack that seesaws back and forth between the two different styles, but in a way that feels natural and organic, both on it's own and as a support to the film itself. Even in the more upbeat, jazzy moments of the score, there's always the sense that there could be something sinister lurking in the background.

Much like the score to Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, the composers stay true to the music styling established by the original 1960s live-action Batman series but, much like the previous animated movie, are given the opportunity to turn things a little on its head. Right away fans should note the film is drawing inspiration from not just the Batman series, but the same rough time frame of the series. "Breaking News" opens with compositions that sound ripped right from the old Dragnet series, for example. Naturally, that doesn't last very long as the tracks a few turns here and there as the movie's plot plays out. Just to hop right on to the next track, "Laboratory Equipment Test" is a solid example of what Dynamic Music Partners are seeking to do with this movie. There's a lot of the familiar compositions that come with a typical Batman track, but then things take a dark turn. Familiar themes are somewhat twisted in a bit of a dark way, and things just get intense - especially toward the end of the track with thumping drums and intense string work. And it's remarkable how Dynamic Music Partners are able to bring such radically different sounds together in a coherent manner without anything feeling out of place. And that's remarkable considering the variety on display here. Consider tracks like "Sneak Like An Egyptian" and "Batman in Pursuit" which, as they spotlight King Tut, give off a heavy Egyptian vibe while, laid underneath, is the familiar 1960s, jazzy sound.

"Canopic Jar Trap" is one of the soundtrack's highlights, coming off as intense, conveying the amount of danger our heroes are in, and not playing any of it up for laughs. It's a piece of music that wouldn't feel out of place in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series. The track starts off with that familiar Batman sting before moving into a more tense, subdued, even ominous place. And then, once the flutes kick in, there's a legitimate sense that the clock is ticking and time is running out. It's a great track that hits all the right beats, expertly covering what's unfolding on screen and adding to the urgency of the events unfolding on the screen.

That said, given the noir feel of the movie (or "camp noir," as the film's creative team describes it), there are some heavier tracks that definitely go outside the Batman's usual sound. "Two-Face Revealed" is dark without a hint of humor to be found, really selling the tragic nature of the classic Batman villain. And that's followed-up with "Harvey's Story," which plays out like a track you'd find in an old P.I. movie. It's one of the few times when the noir aspect of Batman vs. Two-Face completely takes over, but it's not a tonal mismatch. By keeping the inspiration of these heavier tracks from the same era, it works perfectly. It sounds different, yes, but it still sounds of of that time, helping it mesh with the rest of the film and balance the lighter moments we've come to expect from these animated Batman films.

Plus, this leads into a pretty low moment for the Dynamic Duo with "Go To Your Room," where our two heroes find themselves at odds. That whole situation plays out while this darker tracks unfolds, nicely setting the tone and mood for this serious yet still somewhat silly moment between Batman and Robin.

The score just seems to walk so effortlessly from one beat to the next, even with some of the tonal shifts that play out in the movie (and are reflected here). The quieter, light moments are also nicely balanced against some of the more bombastic fight scenes and set pieces. "Robin Tails Harvey/The Threat Is Alive/Robin Two-Faceized" is a great weighty track that sells both the twisted foe our heroes are facing and the scale of what's at stake, which then dovetails nicely into "Robin's Foreign Substance/Eight Ball Death Trap." The "death trap" portion is another soundtrack highlight, and presents this great, massive epic sound that's enough to get one's heart racing. It's just excellent. "Coin Toss Death Trap" and "Game Show Coin Flip" keeps the ominous undertones rolling, reaching an unquestionable fever pitch for our films heroes. These tracks just might have you gripping your chair (though, fans are given a breather with the light, comical "Villains Auction" track, but even that one gets a little heated as it plays through).

Driven by the plot, Dynamic Music Partner knows just how far to take the film's score, making sure to stay true to the show's light, campy roots while also realizing the right cues and moments to dip into the darker side. Batman vs. Two-Face goes a little darker than Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, both in terms of the story and score, but it never goes overboard. It does get intense, yeah, and even reaches an undeniable peak, but it's able to then nimbly lighten things back up in an organic way. Plus, there are a host of great surprises littered throughout the score. Familiar themes and cues from both the previous animated movie and original live-action series come into play, for example. Once again, Dynamic Music Partners pay craft a score true to the original Batman while also taking it to some new places. It's another great piece of work from the team that fans of the original series and these animated features can embrace. Highly Recommended!



Click the player above for a sample track from the soundtrack!

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