It's hard to define what makes a great opening scene, but you know it when you see it. The movie sinks its teeth into you, and they've got you completely engrossed immediately. Ranking them is even more difficult, but without further ado, my list of favorite opening scenes.
10. Casino Royale - Almost all James Bond movies have an epic opening scene, with some mattering more to the plot line than others. The parkour chase is about as good as it gets.
9. Jaws - The cinematography looked dated 40 years later, but I still remember being terrified of the ocean after watching Jaws 1-3 on a loop as a kid. This scene is probably partially responsible for the world's obsession with Shark Week.
8. Inglourious Basterds - A complete version of this scene isn't readily available online, and it's a total shame. The tension Christoph Waltz is able to create in this scene while keeping his outwardly happy demeanor is remarkable. Far and away the best scene of the movie, which is not the case in most Tarantino films.
7. Drive - Getaway scenes don't get any better than this. Maybe I love this scene because I'm completely consumed by car chases on TV here in LA. KCAL9 is the BEST. Maybe I love this scene because I know most of the streets Gosling is crushing to evade LA's finest. Maybe it's both.
6. Goodfellas - Martin Scorcese was given the difficult task of attempting to make a better mob movie than The Godfather, and Goodfellas is as close as you can get to perfection. Ray Liotta is the best he's ever been. Throw in DeNiro and Pesci, and you're fully strapped in for an amazing story.
5. Jurassic Park - SHOOT HER!! SHOOT HER!! I can't believe my parents let me see this movie in theaters when I was just six years old. I must've been unbearable, and my mom relented.
4. The Wolf Of Wall Street - Having read the book, I sort of knew what I was getting myself into. This is Martin Scorcese's 2nd appearance on this list, because he knows how to grab an audience from the start. The movie was still 45 minutes too long, but no movie helps with the Sunday Scaries more after a bender than this one.
3. Super Troopers - Literally what I said was "yeah sure" sir.
2. Top Gun - I bet I tricked you with the picture at the top of this blog. Aircraft carriers, F-14 fighters, and Kenny Loggins - what else could any red blooded American ask for? And Tom Cruise playing volleyball on a 6 foot net is only an hour away. Can't wait.
1. Office Space - This scene hits home to about 99% of people working in the real world. The pointless changing of lanes, the rap music lyrics, the locking of your door due to off-ramp vendors, and the punching of the steering wheel. Every part of your daily commute is perfectly and succinctly accounted for by the genius that is Mike Judge.
No comments:
Post a Comment