This was a suggestion from Rick O. He
wanted my thoughts as to which movies had the best opening credit
sequences. This is not to be confused with an opening scene. The
credits sequence tends to be some kind of montage that is interested
in getting across the emotional truth of the movie. I've always
maintained that the end depends upon the beginning. Usually you know
whether or not you like a movie within the first 10 minutes. The
opening credit sequence is usually less interested in moving the
story forward as it is giving you a sense of the kind of movie you
are watching.
There are a lot of great opening
sequences. Rick O. was efusive in his praise for the opening credit
sequence to Die Another Day. I racked my brain as best I could, so
I'm sure there are some that I am missing. Also, there are some,
like Star Wars, that have great openings, but that are not opening
credit sequences, that have been left off.
Dead Again
-This sequence consists only of credits
and newspaper headlines. But director Kenneth Brannagh does 2
things: with his choice of music he creates a palpable air of fear
and tension. And the headlines are sufficiently ominous that you
can't help but feel the malice in convicted murderer Roman Strauss.
Ted
-A lifetime of friendship is something
difficult to capture on screen. But Ted did this beautifully with a
collection of movies and still photos of a life that does not feel
too far removed from our own, full of fun and nostalgia. By the time
the sequence is over, you feel the life-long bond between the two
main characters.
Much Ado About Nothing
-There is something epically romantic
about the way Brannah shot the opening credits to this Shakespeare
adaptation. His use of slow motion, sweeping camera movements, and
musical flourishes fill the film with pure pagentry
JFK
-This black and white sequence not only
creates an air around our martyred title character, but it sets the
tone of parnoia and fear necessary in this epic consipiracy theory
Juno
-Again, opening credit sequences are
about tone. And Jason Reitman hit it perfectly with its rotoscoped
hyper-stylized reality and quircky soundtrack underneath
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
-This deserves its place just for being
so odd and at the same time being so strangely funny.
The Wedding Singer
-Director Franc Coraci capture the
feel, music, and color of the 1980's in a way that made it appealing
to remember. The musical sequence was toe-tapping fun
Memento
-The opening reverse sequence is so
strange, yet so important. It fills you with questions that demand
to be answered, taking you backwards from a developed polaroid of a
murdered man.
Resevoir Dogs
-The first time I saw this movie, I
didn't like (I have since come to love it). But even then I was
struck by the title sequence. It had this innate sense of cool that
seemed unrehearsed and genuine. It also works in a way that
transitions you to the shocking violence of the film.
Goonies
-Pure fun that introduces all of the
main characters and sets the tone for fun and adventure.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Young Guns
Willow
Watchmen
Untouchables
Arthur 2
Back to the Future
Can't Hardly Wait
Spider-Man 2
Daredevil
Flash Gordon
Forrest Gump
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Get Smart
Gross Pointe Blank
Jaws
Life is Beautiful
Never Ending Story
Office Space
Swing Kids
Catch Me If You Can
(My wife suggested I also put up Lost in Translation, but I think that was a trap.)
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