What is the best opening scene of a movie you have seen?
I'd say the Two Towers really stands out to me. Despite the rest of the movie, which I'd say had both its joys and parts that I grumble about, the opening is beautiful. Take a scene we have seen before that we are familiar with and is a big beautiful moment, and open it sideways by following the events of what we didn't get to see. It made the movies of LOTR seem that much less 2-D at that point. I loved it, and got my excitement way up at the beginning of the long movie that it is.
Another movie I think has a great opening is Fearless. It starts with a character in a cornfield holding a kid (if memory serves) and after wondering what is going on, suddenly he comes out of the cornfield and it is revealed what becomes the centerpiece for the rest of the film: a plane crash. Absolutely stunning. No wonder Lost stole it for opening the series.
Best opening scene
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Cagliostro
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Best opening scene
Life is a waste of time
Time is a waste of life
So get wasted all of the time
And you'll have the time of your life
The beginning of Cliffhanger, the teahouse shootout in Hardboiled, the footchase in Casino Royale.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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Menolly
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The jaw dropping awe of the Stardestroyer in the first scene of A New Hope (although it wasn't known by that then) when I first saw it in the theater in 1977. It is now over 30 years old, and I don't think it translates well to the small screen, but I still recall the initial total amazement my then 17-year old self experienced.
Yeah, that's pretty much the definition of jaw-dropping. I know I'd never seen anything like that in '77.Menolly wrote:The jaw dropping awe of the Stardestroyer in the first scene of A New Hope (although it wasn't known by that then) when I first saw it in the theater in 1977. It is now over 30 years old, and I don't think it translates well to the small screen, but I still recall the initial total amazement my then 17-year old self experienced.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
my alltime favorite opening scene
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
my OTHER alltime favorite is the title sequence and first scene of
To Kill a Mockingbird
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
my OTHER alltime favorite is the title sequence and first scene of
To Kill a Mockingbird
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
Re: Best opening scene
I thought Fearless was that Jet Li movie about the martial arts teacher? Really enjoyable, disappointing historical accuracy, and nothing about a plane crash...Cagliostro wrote:What is the best opening scene of a movie you have seen?
...
Another movie I think has a great opening is Fearless. It starts with a character in a cornfield holding a kid (if memory serves) and after wondering what is going on, suddenly he comes out of the cornfield and it is revealed what becomes the centerpiece for the rest of the film: a plane crash. Absolutely stunning. No wonder Lost stole it for opening the series.
Anyway, my two favorite opening scenes have got to be:
1) 28 Weeks Later. No question, this one scene shows you just how bad things are, and you wind up saying, with the main character, "Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!"
2) Finding Nemo. So, we're in the theatre, watching a Pixar flick, happy as clams (or fish) and WHAT THE HELL SHE DIES?!?!? I almost start crying every time I see it, even now
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Cagliostro
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Re: Best opening scene
It is, actually, but I was referring to this movie from Peter Weir. It is one of my all-time favorite movies.Rigel wrote: I thought Fearless was that Jet Li movie about the martial arts teacher? Really enjoyable, disappointing historical accuracy, and nothing about a plane crash...
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Zarathustra
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Ha, if you thought that was impressive, you should see the opening of Space Balls.Menolly wrote:The jaw dropping awe of the Stardestroyer in the first scene of A New Hope (although it wasn't known by that then) when I first saw it in the theater in 1977. It is now over 30 years old, and I don't think it translates well to the small screen, but I still recall the initial total amazement my then 17-year old self experienced.
While The Two Towers opening upped the ante, Fellowship's prologue was the most impressive opening I've ever seen. A completely black screen with that Elven music playing, the Galadriel voice-over, still gives me goosebumps every time. Followed up with the giant Sauron hitting men like golf balls, seeing the Last Alliance of Elves and Men(!!), and then cutting the ring from Sauron's hand . . . at that point I thought nothing could ever go wrong with these movies. This film had exceeded my wildest hopes within 3 minutes. And I had been following the preproduction and rumors for a couple years before it opened, so my expectations were pretty high.
I know, it's an easy, obvious choice. But nothing can top the first 20-30 minutes of Fellowship in my eyes.
Success will be my revenge -- DJT
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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Zarathustra
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In my defense, there was no gayness in the opening! 
Ok, there were too many dreamy-eyed stares between Hobbits for my taste. And the joke about "even the trees walked" was funny. But Jackson's trilogy is the most incredible achievement in the history of film. In my opinion.
Ok, there were too many dreamy-eyed stares between Hobbits for my taste. And the joke about "even the trees walked" was funny. But Jackson's trilogy is the most incredible achievement in the history of film. In my opinion.
Success will be my revenge -- DJT
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Mrm, both LOTR fan and Star Wars fan make pitiful arguments. "25 endings"? I thought the ending was swiftly done and also hit on everything I wanted to see from the book (and without being slavishly faithful, like many poor adaptations). Jedi really dropped the ball with the Ewoks, and the movie all around paled to Empire. LOTR was damn good through all three movies, so I'd say it's the more complete trilogy. Kevin Smith...pff.
And yeah, Two Towers' opening was grand.
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Cagliostro
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I thought about including it in there because I agree that the opening of FOTR is impressive, and I STILL pop it in when I want to test a sound system as the sounds of Sauron going foooom is one of the best sound achievements I can think of. At least on a good sound system. Without a good sound system, it isn't so exciting.Malik23 wrote:Ha, if you thought that was impressive, you should see the opening of Space Balls.Menolly wrote:The jaw dropping awe of the Stardestroyer in the first scene of A New Hope (although it wasn't known by that then) when I first saw it in the theater in 1977. It is now over 30 years old, and I don't think it translates well to the small screen, but I still recall the initial total amazement my then 17-year old self experienced.
While The Two Towers opening upped the ante, Fellowship's prologue was the most impressive opening I've ever seen. A completely black screen with that Elven music playing, the Galadriel voice-over, still gives me goosebumps every time. Followed up with the giant Sauron hitting men like golf balls, seeing the Last Alliance of Elves and Men(!!), and then cutting the ring from Sauron's hand . . . at that point I thought nothing could ever go wrong with these movies. This film had exceeded my wildest hopes within 3 minutes. And I had been following the preproduction and rumors for a couple years before it opened, so my expectations were pretty high.
I know, it's an easy, obvious choice. But nothing can top the first 20-30 minutes of Fellowship in my eyes.
But I still think opening TTT trumps it as it starts quiet, moves into the crack, swings through the material we know, and then we dive down. It's like when a rollercoaster starts up, and you start moving slowly toward the top of the big hill, and right at the top is a sign that says, "Fly you fools!" And then the plunge.
But yes, FOTR made me breathe a sign of relief and feel like, yes, this is in good hands, and there is going to be some cool huge battles coming up. In that regard, I was never disappointed.
Life is a waste of time
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The Usual Suspects had one of the most amazing opening scenes ever...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zyaP8TBaBw
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zyaP8TBaBw
Last edited by Zahir on Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"O let my name be in the Book of Love!
It be there, I care not of the other great book Above.
Strike it out! Or, write it in anew. But
Let my name be in the Book of Love!" --Omar Khayam
It be there, I care not of the other great book Above.
Strike it out! Or, write it in anew. But
Let my name be in the Book of Love!" --Omar Khayam
Re: Best opening scene
mine too. i love peter weir movies! picnic at hanging rock!Cagliostro wrote:It is, actually, but I was referring to this movie from Peter Weir. It is one of my all-time favorite movies.Rigel wrote: I thought Fearless was that Jet Li movie about the martial arts teacher? Really enjoyable, disappointing historical accuracy, and nothing about a plane crash...
also i have to agree about Bladerunner. another one of my favorites.
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
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Funny, because Kevin Smith already said about the same exact thing 15 years ago.Jedi really dropped the ball with the Ewoks, and the movie all around paled to Empire. LOTR was damn good through all three movies, so I'd say it's the more complete trilogy. Kevin Smith...pff.
Empire had the better ending. Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader is his father, Han gets frozen, taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All "Jedi" had was a bunch of Muppets.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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