Reply With QuoteBlade, best start to a film ever!
I remember importing the DVD in from the States and playing it on my new Bose 5.1 system, AMAZING!
http://youtu.be/xX5_m0AwqPA
ThisOriginally Posted by langdalematt
Blade, best start to a film ever!
I remember importing the DVD in from the States and playing it on my new Bose 5.1 system, AMAZING!
http://youtu.be/xX5_m0AwqPA
Last edited by gilford; 24th August 2014 at 14:49.
^. ^
Oh yeah..Blade!
Didn't twig earlier when someone mentioned it. Must've been 15 years ago? Saw that in the cinema too.
Once upon a time in the West.
loads of others already mentioned. How about Leon.
Die Hard With A Vengeance - opening titles of New York street scenes to the sound of Summer In The City, and then a building just explodes.
Similarly, the cafe explosion at the start of Children Of Men.
Wild at Heart, David. Lynch at his OTT best.
Bonds, always liked the parachute ski stunt at the start of The Spy Who Loved Me, if not Roger as Bond.
And for slow-burn, evocative titles, followed by (literally) eye-blisteringly good cinematography, the English Patient. Out-Leans Lean.
Dammit, you best me to it!
Once upon a time in the West had the classic beginning of all westerns.
I'm a big fan of Leon too.
Kentucky Fried Movie LOL
Its hard to think of a better start than Once upon a time in the West.....not only a great start but a great film.
Also the Thomas Crown Affair ...the original with Steve McQueen was very different for its day with the split screen stuff. Its also worth a mention that Grand Prix with James Garner has a pretty good start straight into the Monaco race.
Saving Private Ryan......now i worked on that film down at Hatfield and was lucky enough to go to the first screening in the uk........and i still sat agast with everyone else starring at the screen and not even looking at my popcorn during the beach landing scene.
And of course as mentioned Star Wars never fails to grip you at the start with the action.
Once Upon a Time in the West
Saving Private Ryan
The Dark Knight
Bunny and the Bull opening credits are a short film in themselves.
http://youtu.be/Dnc4FAlSpF0
Swordfish
My thoughts exactly. Forgot how it began - parents walked in to the room when I was watching it as a teenager many moons ago. Try explaining that one!
Terminator 2 when he walks into the bar
Goodfellas for me, followed by Up!
I first watched this as a student. On entering the cinema, I was solemnly offered a disposable tissue by the usher.
Paul
I believe that is slightly too much information Paul.
I have to agree. The best, most exciting opening scene to a film has to be 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior'. The prologue montage is EPIC but the opening scene proper is a thing of beauty. When the camera pulls back from the supercharger and you get the howl of the V8, a little bit of wee comes out.
I also LOVE the opening of 'Boogie Nights'. When 'The Best Of My Love' kicks in and the camera wanders around the club introducing the main characters. Sublime.
I'd have to give an honorable mention to 'Cannonball Run' too. When she floors the black Countach passed the cop car at about 2 and a half minutes in. That V12 howl. Wow.
Last edited by beechcustom; 25th August 2014 at 13:44.
Yup
The Naked Kiss and Forty Guns by Sam Fuller. A Touch of Evil by Orson Welles.
At the risk of my sexuality being questioned by other forum members, I'll put forward TOP GUN.
Mother (2009 Korean movie) has one of the weirdest most arresting opening I've ever seen - film isn't bad either. Also recently rewatched Don't Look Now - absolutely devastating opening.
First five minutes of Die Hard. So much information conveyed is a short time...
I also agree about Saving Private Ryan.
The Italian Job.
Scenery, car, music, sunglasses and surprise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqtNThufkk
Saving private Ryan is well worth getting a copy with the DTS sound track if you have suitable equipment.
Star Wars or Blade Runner. The music by Vangelis and the city with the industrial exhausts letting out fire, while the sad, melancholic eyes are painting a reflection of it.
I echo the mention of ‘Up’ (USA, 2009).
It has one of the best beginnings of any movie.
The fact that it’s an animated film with a young audience in mind doesn’t matter – the opening is the equal of that in any classic film (I’d imagine even Jean Renoir would be impressed were he still alive).
The beginning contains one of the most beautiful and moving montage sequence ever constructed which, with singularity of purpose, illustrates the lifelong relationship of the central protagonist (Carl) and his wife (Ellie) – put simply, it strikes you as heartfelt and honest:
With the opening complete the audience is not only aware of Carl's backstory but, more importantly, they understand the primary reason for his cantankerous persona and motivation for the quest which forms the film’s central narrative.
The beginning of 'Up' lets the audience connect with the main character, emphasise with him and root for him – all of which makes the rest of the film compelling.
Mad Max.
Best end of a film - Swiss family Robinson.
The Hunger
So many great suggestions already, too many to comment on.
However, my slightly off the wall suggestion is the opening sequence to Navy Seals (1990) - "America's top secret weapon", clearly not in the same league as m/any of the aforementioned but as a child it was everything I wanted in a movie, the first time I saw it I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!
Sadly I've just looked and it's not on Sky anymore
cannonball run
Hanna - Great opening scene to a ludicrous plot line of a film.
(secretly enjoyed that flick thoroughly)
Another fan of Saving Private Ryan.
Inglorious Bastards. Anyone want to admit the hair on the back of their neck didn't stand up during the opening farm house scene?
At least you didn't nominate An Officer and a Gentleman. I'd question your gender then!
I'll nominate the final (so far) Star Wars film (I guess that makes it Episode 3), with that calm fly by of the cruiser that then develops into a massive space battle. Ok it's all CGI, sci-fi and special effects, but that's brilliantly done!
M
I wouldn't necessarily say they were the best, but being an old dude I reckon honourable mentions should go to
1. Apocalypse Now
2. The Deer Hunter
even though they're very different starts. Both blew me away in my late teens (which may be a bit of a giveaway).
Pulp Fiction is a great start; dialogue gets you intrigued from minute one and doesn't let up at all.
Same can be said for most Tarantino; True Romance is quite funny and again the script is superb and who doesn't love the start to Django Unchained? When Christoph Waltz comes in... Outstanding.
As for my FAVOURITE, it's American Pie - captured the awkwardness of Teenage years beautifully!
Cabin in the Woods. Brilliant stuff :)
Author is from "here". Based upon growing up in East Grand Rapids, MI. When they go to the lake (second flick, I believe) it's supposed to be Grand Haven (where I live). They filmed around here for the movie.
Blues Brothers
Yeah... "Talk to me Goose" classic
Lawrence of Arabia - not a lot happens for a couple of minutes or so but....
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