6 Ways Tim Burton's Batman Changed Everything
4. It Made Danny Elfman Famous
It can be hard to think of a film composer that has had quite as much success with a first score in any genre; Danny Elfman's set of memorable themes and cues for Tim Burton's Batman is as good on its own as the movie itself. Despite having composed several scores and worked with Tim Burton twice, the part-time rock musician had to audition to score Batman. The impression his music made even before its release ripples across movie score history.
Though his work has varied ever since, Batman made Elfman famous. He has since been known mostly for his work on superhero movies, which include Sam Raimi's Darkman and the first two Spider-Man movies, Ang Lee's Hulk, and even a bit-part on this year's Avengers: Age Of Ultron, with Brian Tyler.
Danny Elfman's score for Batman shows range and a particular instinct for the genre. Obviously John Williams' Superman score is still a classic, but Elfman's sojourn into Batman's world eleven years later set a new standard. His whimsical, rhythmic, and moody style and its influence is hard to miss in all the film scores he influenced.
Batman's orchestral music joins the film in suggesting that there can be more to these characters than simple heroics. Like a trip with Batman into Gotham City, Elfman's music is a genuine descent into mystery.