Great beginnings of movies

[mego73]

I'm not talking about the more obvious ones like Star Wars but more off the beaten path. Movies that had really good opening sequences

My choice is Disney's Swiss Family Robinson which opens with our family on a ship being thrashed around in a huge storm and finally crashing against the rocks to fantastically stirring music. A great beginning for an adventure movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlqPY...feature=search

[toys2cool]

I love the beginnings of The mummy(the 1st part with Brandon Frasier),the Bram Stokers Dracula,LOTR's and the Beauty and the Beast,

[Goblin19]

Once Upon a Time in the West is my favorite. It turns the typical western opening on its ear.

[Iron Mego]

I've always loved the beginning of Raising Arizona. Goodfellas is a classic opening as well.

[Mikey]

Classic James Bonds take the cake for great openings

[Brazoo]

I always admire a movie that can open in a very visual way that lays the groundwork for the whole movie ahead. These are some examples that really blew me away - off hand:

Brazil - the chaos of the whole film in a few seconds
Citizen Kane - "No Trespassing" as we move closer towards the light window
The Conversation - the sound and visuals are just perfect
Fight Club - one extreme close up of neurons inside the hero's head pulling back to until we finally see the gun in his mouth.
Patton - Patton climbing onto the stage with that huge American flag

[GAFan]

I like Timeline. Man running through the woods being chanced by a man on a horse and then he transports onto a highway. Great way to grab your attention.

[The Bat]

Classic James Bonds take the cake for great openings

No argument there Mikey!!

Other choices include "Train Spotting"...as the Cops are chasing the Guys down the street...with Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" playing in the Background.

[SexySkottie]

My fav has to be The matrix! Trinity is way too hot in tight leather slinging around 2 pistols.

[Sandman9580]

In terms of setting mood and foreshadowing, I think "Dead Man" is brilliant.

[jds1911a1]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....

a girl going for a moonlight swim after a bonfire party

a man in a fedora and leather jacket leads an expedition in the Jungle and the Hovitos are close

[kerowack]

Scarlett Johannson's butt in Lost In Translation....

[wolfie]

The Italian Job ( the original ), that car driving through the mountains and the fantastic music.

[Brazoo]

Scarlett Johannson's butt in Lost In Translation....

That was a particularly good one too.

[johnmiic]

The zooming-in on a Taun-taun running accross the frozen wasteland of Hoth is much overlooked from The Empire Strikes Back

The prepping of a Gee-Bee racing plane for test flight at the beginning of The Rocketeer

The re-take opening to The Two Towers reminiscent of an old Hollywood serial showing that Gandalf fell-but did not necessarily die when the Balrog pulled him into the abyss.