Not Elfman but really quite worth buying
Danny Elfman is the ultimate composer of the Batman theme and after the first two movies, he was gone and all the composers since then are in his shadow - seeking to write themes that suggest his from Batman and Batman Returns. I did not think a lot of the Batman Begins soundtrack as much of it can put one to sleep; the theme was not very complex but was not bad and worked in that movie. The new film and movie happily took the very best of the themes in Batman Begins and expanded and worked off them such that the soundtrack album is worth buying and listening to. The theme fades in and out nicely and worked in the film and works on the album. If the same composers write some more for the next Batman movie we will really have something to enjoy.

Atmospheric and Rewarding
I'm a fan of dramatic, serious soundtracks, and this one certainly takes proud place in that category among recent films. The two composers have done a fine job of mingling "ordinary" musical composition with atmospheric sounds, such as the throaty flapping that literally conjures something between a rippling cape and a bat's wing. The new themes introduced to accompany the new characters are harder to compare even than apples and oranges. The Joker's theme is, quite appropriately, savage and industrial, a bit reminiscent of a badly-maintenanced train growling into a station, but more or less impossible to verbally categorize. Harvey Dent's theme is some of the more happy and triumphant music of the score, though tinged with pathos. The track featuring his theme is probably the most classically influenced part of the soundtrack.

I like this music. It's not a symphonically-oriented score like, for instance, that of The Lord of the Rings films or even Zimmer's Gladiator, and listeners seeking a score built on more classical lines may be disappointed. As a musical accompaniment and enhancement to the film, however, this music does wonders to set the proper tone, and is also a pleasure to listen to. Zimmer and Howard can be somewhat fluid with their themes, but in my opinion most of the tracks have more than enough structure to hold it all together.

A few caveats: from my listening so far, tracks 5 through 7 seem fairly lackluster compared to most of the other music, but they add up to only five minutes or so out of a 50+ minute CD. I was also somewhat disappointed not to find some of those full-throttle thematic recaps during the end credits in the huge final track. It's not that the final track doesn't have interesting music, but I've left the theater air-conducting to those marvelous Batman themes, and I miss it here--but I have a weakness for that kind of strong, dramatic music, and perhaps the composers wanted to end things on a gentler note.

In the first film, Bruce Wayne states his intention to create "something elemental, something terrifying," and this, of course, is what ultimately becomes the persona of Batman. Zimmer and Howard took on the task of scoring that idea with a will, and this is a fine continuation of that excellent start. This soundtrack has a unique style, and may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I recommend it.

The absolute best superhero score ever crafted
Just like Christopher Nolan took everything he started with Batman Begins to new heights with The Dark Knight, composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard take the superhero film score to new heights as well. From the creepily opening epic "Why So Serious?" to the tension-laced and hair raising "Always a Catch"; Zimmer and Howard have not only once again crafted a classic film score, but have raised the bar for superhero film scores, just as Nolan raised the bar for superhero films. The real standout of The Dark Knight's score however is the emotional "Harvey Two-Face", which depicts the tragic fall of the heroic "white knight" Harvey Dent. Other compositions, including "I'm Not a Hero", "Like a Dog Chasing Cars", "Agent of Chaos", and the grandoise closer "A Dark Knight" are masterpieces that are feasts of the ears. All in all, the soundtrack to The Dark Knight is absolutely the best superhero score ever crafted, and like the film itself, will stand as a masterwork to be cherished and imitated for years to come.

One of the Best Soundtracks I have ever heard
I just can't get over the incredible way the entire soundtrack starts out. The first two note motif of the Joker haunts you throughout the score. It is dark, moody, majestic, and exciting. Although there are spots when the score is at a low subtle level, just when you think "Is it going to move on?" it does. It captures the esscence of the film without watching the film itself. But it feels like the joker will just walk into the room at any moment.

Buy this soundtrack it rivals any soundtrack I have heard and I own about 30 or so...

Truly a great, dark and phenomenal score soundtrack.
Christopher Nolan mentions in the liner notes of the CD that part of the reason he had planned "The Dark Knight" was the wonderful music that Zimmer and Howard had put together for Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set) [Blu-ray]. While I am a little surprised at this, at the same time I see why. The music in that movie definitely fit the tone of the movie. And now, with this wonderful soundtrack to the amazing film The Dark Knight [Theatrical Release], Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard have put together a real masterpiece.

The soundtrack opens with the very disturbing and uneasy "Why So Serious?". You feel VERY uncomfortable while listening to it, and it captures who The Joker is very well and easily. At 9 minutes, it is only two notes. Yet with phenomenal execution, orchestration and use of synth, it makes great listening while laying in bed at night. The next track, "I'm Not A Hero", is a little more orchestra-based, As well as "Harvey Two-Face", which becomes REALLY epic towards the end, with the roman-sounding orchestration.

There's also some over-the-top-ness here, as displayed in "And I Thought My Jokes Were Bad" and "Watch The World Burn". But the REAL highlight is the album's final track "A Dark Knight". Running at 16 minutes, it's an epic song, truly captures the spirit of the last 16 minutes. Some of it happens when The Joker is hanging over the ledge by his foot at the end. But most of it happens during the end credits. Try blasting it out on your HUGE stereo. It'll put your next-door neighbor's hip hop or Sarah McLachlan to shame.

So overall, this is an over-the top, epic, and amazing score soundtrack. If you can pick up a copy of it in the store, GO FOR IT. You will NOT be disappointed. The whole time you'll be going "Whoa". I know I did.