Most Bad Ass Opening Scenes to a Movie

It’s been a bit, Freudian, so yes, I’m sure you’re right.

Ditto. The second “Miserlou” started I turned to my date and said “We are in for a helluva ride. Just you watch.”

I would also third Star Wars.

Oldie: Touch of Evil’s 3 minute tracking shot…Altman’s tracking shot from The Player noted above even references it.

I do not remember the name of the movie but it starred Gwynth Paltrow as the whiniest damsel-in-distress since Kate Capshaw. The movie opened with flying robots that shot lasers from their eyes.

And then the rest of the movie came and wasted the best opening scene ever.

That wouldn’t be Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow? I like the movie, but it does have a fantastic opening, then it settles back into a standard action movie when it could have been more.

I always thought the opening theme and credits for G.I.Joe the movie was pretty cool.

There was some good action, the song sounded like the one from the cartoon, but it was different and a little more intense. It rocked.

The rest of the movie? Eh, not so much.

This thread should begin, end, and be filled to the top with Saving Private Ryan.

No mention of The Godfather?

Of course, usually the opening scene is shorter than 30 minutes.

Yeah. I think the Little Green Bag opening is under the definition of cool openings.

And I’ll second (third?) Pulp Fiction’s opening. Very nice.

And I’ll add the opening of Clockwork Orange and Goodfellas. Great lead in and then the part where Henry Hill narrates, “For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.”

You think the old man walking to the grave is the best opening scene ever? Because that is the opening scene, not the D-Day scene.

Well, the older Ryan’s grandaughter was pretty darn hot.

Yeah, people always forget that scene. It’s almost as if the power of the D-Day scene blots out what came before.

Leon is a great one as well as the opening montage of Saving Private Ryan.

Wasn’t the famous Sam Jackson scene from Pulp Fiction pretty near the beginning? I haven’t seen it in a few years so I can’t remember, but if that was in the beginning, then that.

Chronologically near the beginning of the events but actually near the ending of the film.

Yes, that’s the one. I could not get passed Gwynth’s character being the whiniest, dumbest romantic interest ever.

Bah. That was like a passing note. It set the flavor, but the real opening scene was the D-Day scene.

backpedal backpedal backpedal

Another vote for “Once Upon a Time in the West.” When the topic of memorable opening scenes comes up, this is always at the forefront of my mind.

It wasn’t an opening scene but pretty close to the beginning – the train wreck in The Fugitive. I felt like I could have walked out of the theater at that point thinking I got my money’s worth.

Especially when compared to her rival, Angelina Jolie. Agree that this was a good opening, and with Star Wars.

Kill Bill.

…BLAM!:eek: