Marvel Cinematic Universe: Soundtrack Scores Ranked From Worst To Best
5. Thor
Patrick Doyle was a frequent collaborator with director Kenneth Brannagh and for this, his only contribution to the MCU so far, he brings a maturity to the tale of the two brothers, elevating it into the realms of Shakespearean drama, something apt for the renowned director.
His themes for this film rank among some of the best in the MCU. The bright and melodic cues for Thor himself ring throughout, delivering a deserved sense of grandeur to the character and the setting. One only needs to take in the epic throne room scene toward the beginning to truly understand the majesty of what Doyle was able to bring.
The score is deliberately designed for a grand scale. The choral and orchestral arrangements stand out in the series and, while there are many action ques dotted throughout the film, the score manages to ring through these in comparison to, for example, Debney's Iron Man 2 score, which gets lost in the din.
While Thor's theme is bright and full of hope, the contrasting theme for Loki is as heartbreaking as it is dour. In this film, Loki is a tragic character akin to King Lear's Edgar, something that feels very deliberate on the part of Brannagh. While Loki would never again return to this level of tragedy, his theme here suits this portrayal perfectly.
One of the finest scores in the early MCU films, Doyle's Thor is a must listen.