A while back, I posted a list of my top 10
favorite opening credit scenes, and now I wanted to continue with the next best
thing … the pre-title openings … or cold-openings as their sometimes called.
It’s almost like a teaser or short film before the main event, and for me, there’s
nothing quiet as exciting as building-up to that main title. Now, I have to
clarify, this isn’t a list of my all-time favorite openings, as the intros to
movies like “Raiders of the Lost Arc”, “Toy Story 2”, “The
Dark Knight”, and “The Prince of Egypt” are some of my all-time
favorites … except, their titles appear on scree before the intro, and in the
case of “The Dark Knight”, the title doesn’t even appear until the
closing credits. Title cards in general are kind of a lost art, which is a
shame, because I feel a strong lead-up to a title card really gets the
experience started. So, for the occasion, I wanted to count down my own
personal Top 10 Favorite opening scenes in movies that build-up to the title
card.
#10 The Pre-Title opening to “Batman Returns” (1992)
Typically with comic-book movies,
we open on the introduction of our lead superhero … but this is a special case
in which a short origin story of the main villain can kick things off on just
as effective a note. In a flashback set 33 years ago during Gotham’s holiday
season, a rich family has just given birth to a son, but he was born with odd
deformities, and is quite vicious as it actually made a meal of their family
cat. One cold December night, the parents took him out to the park and
abandoned their monster baby in the sewers. It’s like a short Gothic picture
before the main feature, complete with atmospheric quires, long panning shots
down the hallways, with screams heard off in the distance, and when the title
finally appears, it effectively builds the anticipation on seeing this new
villain in the current day story, and how he’ll challenge our hero.
#9 The Pre-Title opening to “Serenity” (2005)
This opening scene is one of my
favorite examples of a crafty filmmaker at work. Right off the bat, every scene
lasting till the end of the opening credits are all linked together in a way
that’s very artistic, and it gives the opening an unbroken linear flow and
narrative, even when jumping to a number of different settings. The Universal
logo is first inserted into the opening narration, which recaps on the state of
the universe … then it’s revealed the narration was actually a class … then the
class is revealed to be an illusion in an abducted girls mind … then it’s
revealed to be a flashback, in which the girl is rescued by her older brother …
which is then revealed to be a security recording observed by the films main
villain … and the scene just keeps building on itself. Even when the title
appears, it’s not just the card, it’s the name of our hero’s spaceship
displayed on the outer haul. It’s a rock-solid opening, and keeps going strong
with an unbroken tracking shot through the ship, reintroducing us to the main
cast.
#8 The Pre-Title opening to “The Mummy” (1999)
One of the main selling points
to a good monster movie is how the opening can get you excited to see the titular
monster villain the film is named after. The movie begins in ancient Egypt, where
the powerful high priest Imhotep is cursed and mummified alive after an affair
with the Pharaoh’s mistress. It’s a cryptic opening that scared the hell out of
me as a child, and it gets things started on a strong note. What I really love
most is the narration that builds up to the title, as our story teller warns us
that, should this monster ever arise … “He’ll rise as a walking disease … a plague
among mankind … with power over the sands … and the glory of invincibility!”
Along with the built-up music, the title appears on screen, and it gets me
hyped every time.
#7 The Pre-Title opening to “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
When it comes to
Disney animation, they’ve delivered some of the all-time great openings,
leading-up to their titles, with the big one being the iconic opening to “The
Lion King”, which came very close to making my list. However, there are two
other animated Disney opening ’s I like a little more, and for me, the opening
to “Beauty and the Beast” is one of my favorite animated cold-openings,
leading into a film’s title card. While not as big, and epic as “The Lion
Kings” opener, it’s the subtle yet brilliant presentation on display that
really makes this one stick with me more. We’re told the backstory of our
titular Beast, which is brilliantly displayed through stain glass windows, and
we learn that he was once a prince … spoiled, heartless and only jugged people
through their outward appearances. After dismissing an ugly old woman, he was
cursed by an enchantress to take on the likeness of a monster, and would remain
that way until someone could find beauty hidden deep within. Everything from
the narration, to the visuals, to the subtle music cues are all rich with
atmosphere, and it perfectly sets the tone of the film without anything grand
or operatic.
#6 The Pre-Title opening to “Desperado” (1995)
Robert Rodriguez is no
stranger to kicking-off his movies with an electrifying cold-opening, one of
his best being the intro to his 1996 movie “From Dusk till Dawn”.
However, my favorite of his movie intro’s is this top-tear lead-in to his 1995
action movie “Desperado”. A lone anti-hero is out for revenge against an
underground drug ring, but before he takes action against a drug crew, who run their deals in a
local bar, a witness first comes in, and relays the whole story of how he
witnessed this mysteries avenger enacted Judgment Day on another dive. It is
some of the most exciting build-up for an action hero that I’ve ever seen, and
as the witness goes into all the details, it further builds that anticipation. The
Crime Boos asks … “Wait and minuet, are you saying you saw his face?’ To which
the witness responds with … “His face … no … I saw his eyes!” ... which gives me chills every time. Once he finishes
his recap, the witness leaves the bar and comments … “I think he said he’s
coming here next!” Then the title comes up, with a rousing music track, and I’m
all in.
#5 The Pre-Title opening to “Specter” (2015)
When it comes to long-standing
franchises that make a tradition of cold-openings that lead into the opening
titles … nothing takes the cake like the James Bond series. Ever sense the 1964
movie “Goldfinger” set the bar for iconic pre-title openings, this
franchise has consistently delivered some of the all-time best. While the 2015
movie “Specter” is admittedly not one of my favorite entries in the
series … it has stuck with me for one reason … it features my absolute favorite
opening of the whole franchise. In a brilliant, one-take shot with no visible
edits, we see Bond amidst a carnival, leaving to his hotel room, revealing that
he’s working a capper, and finally singling out his target … which culminates
into a white knuckled chase, involving a dog-fight with a helicopter. It’s
absolutely sensational, and as far as I’m concerned, you can just stop the film
after the opening credits, because nothing else in the film is on par with this
thrilling opening sequence.
#4 The Pre-Title opening to “Tales from Earthsea” (2006)
When it comes to
fantasy epics, they usually open with exposition to set the ground work for the
story, while in other cases they open with big epic battles … however, this is
a special case in which a fantasy kicks things off with all the best beats,
including action, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and all before the title
appears. Things start off on a thrilling note, with dragons sparring amidst a
raging storm at sea, and in this fantasy world, it’s apparently unheard of for
Dragons to behave so aggressively. Further intrigue is built-up as the King of
the land discuss a dark and mysterious change that’s sweeping over the land. Just as the King is being set-up as an intriguing character, he’s suddenly
killed by a mysterious assassin … who just happens to be the Kings son under
some kind of malevolent influence. As he rides off into the night, the King
speaks his final words, the music builds, the title triumphantly appears on
screen, and I’m left with chills from head to toe. That’s how you start a
fantasy epic, with just the right amount of action, ominous build-up, and one
big surprise after the next.
#3 The Pre-Title opening to “Star Trek” (2009)
Here’s another case in which a
pre-title opening is so good, it could have been a short film by itself, and
I’d call it a mini-masterpiece. While the movie follows the adventures of
Captain Kirk, the intro focuses on the heroism of his late father, who gave his
life commanding a starship, while fighting off an enemy attacker, and all in an
effort to give the crew and more importantly his wife the chance to escape. As
he fights off the villains to his dying breath, his wife simultaneously goes
into labor, giving birth to their son, who’s destined to carry on the mission
his father started. Seeing a dad give his life, for the chance for his loved
ones to live is captured very effectively in this moment, and it honestly gets me
to care for Kirks dad just in these short minuets more so than the actual hero through
the rest of the film. It’s a beautifully shot, powerfully acted, and
emotionally stirring segment, which kicks off the film on a high note. Then
when the title lights up the screen … it’s one of the biggest, most triumphant
title cards I’ve ever seen, and a perfect way to start a mostly solid entry in
one of my favorite Sci-Fi franchises.
#2 The Pre-Title opening to “The Hunchback of NotreDame” (1996)
Next to “The
Lion King”, and “Beauty and the Beast”, my favorite opening in all
of Disney … in all of animation for that matter … is the opening “Bells of NotreDame” sequence. In this opening,
we’re given the detailed backstory of the deformed baby named Quasimodo. We see
his mother give her life to protect the baby from the wickedness of Judge
Frollo, then the villain takes him in as a surrogate son, for Atonement on his
soul … and it’s all conveyed in musical form. This is the classic method of
musical-storytelling in peak form, and it’s something that Disney had never
really done before. It’s not a traditional song number with characters singing
about themselves, or their interests … instead it’s this really Gothic and
tragic tale, conveyed through a mighty quire, and some truly haunting visuals.
The opening shot alone is sensational, and it’s paired with my favorite opening
notes of any musical. It’s just an epic sequence, and a powerful opening to my
personal favorite animated Disney movie.
Before I
reveal my number one favorite, here are some quick Honorable Mentions to the
pre-title openings that I regrettably didn’t have room for on my list …
“The Lion
King” (1994)
“Sleepy
Hollow” (1999)
“Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie” (1990)
“The
Longest Day” (1962)
“Ghostbusters”
(1984)
#1 The Pre-Title opening to “Patton” (1970)
Here’s arguably the most subtle opening of all … yet so efficient in its presentation, that it just takes the gold prize. George C. Scott delivers the biggest performance of his carrier as the well-spoken, charismatic, and commanding military general. This is personally my favorite war movie of all time, and the film kicks off on a really strong note as General Patton gives his speech to the third army in World War II. He instills both fear and pride into his solders, and it’s his brutal honesty that everyone rallies around. With zero reaction shots from the audience, perfect staging, silent track, iconic American Flag backdrop, and Scots electrifying screen presence, this monologue stands as an authentic recreation of the general’s real-life speech, and tells us everything we need to know about the general, all before the title even appears on screen. It’s arguably the most famous set-piece of the whole film, as it’s featured in all the marketing. Once the title appears, matched to Jerry Goldsmiths iconic music track, I feel as immersed as you can get into a movie going experience. Sometimes you don’t need a big, epic opening … sometimes it’s just the little things that leave the most memorable impression, and for me … the pre-title opening to “Patton” is my favorite, and the best way to open one of the greatest war movies ever made.
Thanks for
reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!
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