The Avengers Comparison

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the movies Thor (2011), The Avengers (2012), and

Thor: The Dark World (2013) contain the characters Thor and Loki: mythological brothers from the

fictional realm of Asgard. The music written for these characters from the different views of all three

of the composers who scored these films: Patrick Doyle, (Thor, 2011), Alan Silvestri (The Avengers,

2012), and Brian Tyler (Thor: The Dark World, 2013) is a fascinating study because without music, a

movie does not carry as large of an emotional impact, and because each composer tells the story of the

character in his own unique way. The music tells the story of these two brothers, and their relationship

with each other and those surrounding

In this

scene the theme takes on a more appropriate energy, with rhythmic drums and short, quick bursts of

brass to create the feeling of conflict but also of the game Thor perceives this battle to be(Doyle, 2011.

“Frost Giant Battle”). Later in the film, Thor grows into his theme bit by bit, gaining wisdom and

forethought, so that by the time he is fighting his adopted brother Loki at the end of the movie, he has

matured enough that his theme finally feels right.

Doyle also wrote a second theme in Thor (2011) that tells the story of how his pride and

disobedience bring Thor low and he ends up on Midgard (Earth). His powers have been stripped from

him by his father, Odin, and he is no longer worthy to wield Mjolnir. This theme is called “Letting Go”

and is also introduced early in the film. Its first major moment occurs when Odin banishes him from

Asgard in “Banishment”(Doyle, 2011), enchanting the hammer Mjolnir with a spell that will only allow

Thor to lift it if he is worthy. In this track, the heartwrenching melody is played dramatically and in