Filed under: Top Tens

TOP TEN: Opening Credit Sequences

Delving into the ten best movies... before the movie

Run Lola Run

I defy anyone who doesn't start tapping their feet or bobbing their head when this opening sequence begins, or begin smiling in anticipation when it kicks into the next gear. You knew watching this that you were in for one of the better rides of your life, something completely unique. The animation that hits over two minutes in always reminded me of the opening sequence to Mannequin (which sadly did not make this list). Walk like an Egyptian or run like Lola below:

Catch Me If You Can

One of Spielberg's best films in recent years features easily his greatest title sequence ever. I have a hardcore man-crush on John Williams' score here. Once again here is a score that sets up the film you're about to watch perfectly and previewing the different cons DiCaprio's character takes on enhances the experience I think. Catch it if you can:

Seven

Okay, this sequence has been ripped off so many times I can't even begin to get into it. It's pretty shameless though. This was also the first non-Bond title sequence in what felt like eons that actually set you up for something great. Every thriller since Seven has tried their hand at paying homage (or stealing) but what they could never duplicate is its originality and that kick ass title version of Trent Reznor's "Closer". Get closer to God and witness:

Reservoir Dogs

Discovering this film was an exciting time for me. Pulp Fiction hadn't yet dominated the indie world and I was just beginning to get exposed to alternative voices of cinema. And then comes along this title sequence, one of the most famous title sequences of all time, capping one of the great opening scenes of all time. What else can be said, you guys have seen this one a thousand times already. Watch it again right here:

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Post #1
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Not that I've seen all of these films…Only some… "North by Northwest," "Fight Club," "Panic Room," "Catch Me If You Can," and a few others, but I certainly agree with you on almost all. I, too, thought "Panic Room" had amazing titles. The only thing that bothered (the perfectionist) me was how it was all rough, hard cuts, if you know what I mean. No fade or transitions…just cuts. And that, to me, always looked unprofessional and annoyed me. Ha. But that's just me. Alfred Hitchcock always did come up with some interesting title sequences on his later films…"Psycho" was pretty neat, although I think it worked better in the 1998 version with the green (even though a green is an odd choice, it seems perfect to me for some odd reason).

- IsItThursdayYet
( December 3rd, 2007 | 7:57 pm )
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Post #2
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Seriously, how can you have a top ten opening title list and not include a single Bond film? That just doesn't make sense at all.

That said, it's hard to disagree with very many of these. Speaking of man-crushes, though, how big a one do you have for David Fincher?

(Side note, the opening titles for "Anatomy of a Murder" have to be in the top three. Saul Bass was certainly The Man, and that films proves it pretty much bar-none. I'm just sayin…"

- SaraMichelle
( December 3rd, 2007 | 10:19 pm )
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Post #3
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SaraMichelle said: Seriously, how can you have a top ten opening title list and not include a single Bond film? That just doesn't make sense at all.

This is true…the Bond films do get quite creative with all those damn double-O 7's.

- IsItThursdayYet
( December 3rd, 2007 | 10:21 pm )
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Post #4
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You know, I thought of the Bond films when I was looking over Dre's list, but there really isn't one that is all that good. Also, if you include one you pretty much have to include them all… I don't really see any of them differentiating themselves. I thought the Casino Royale one was cool, but in no way as memorable as most of these.

Out of curiosity, what Bond film would you say should be on this list?

- bradbrevet
( December 3rd, 2007 | 11:09 pm )
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Post #5
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There are a bunch of good ones, but I would probably go with Goldfinger if only for the fact it was the one which set the template the rest of the 007 movies would follow. (By the way, of the latest round of Bonds – Brosnan and Craig – I'd have to say I wasn't blown away by the opening titles for Casino Royale. I actually like the ones for Goldeneye better.)

- SaraMichelle
( December 4th, 2007 | 11:33 am )
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Post #6
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Really, Goldfinger? The thing about the credits Dre mentioned is that, for the most part, they forward the story along. Bond credits do none of that. Trying to remember them off the top of my head I think The World is Not Enough is the one that comes closest with all its oil references before oil was ever mentioned.

- bradbrevet
( December 4th, 2007 | 2:43 pm )
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Post #7
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Yeah, I purposely left off any Bond films because you always know going in they're trying to come up with a cool intro and it wouldnt be much fun to include three bond sequences in the top ten overall. Lets get some other original pieces in there. I figured they could be a whole other list. Maybe thats coming next, the top ten bond sequences.

I almost included Anatomy of a Murder and one other Saul Bass opening but in the end, I think these are cooler.

- andre
( December 4th, 2007 | 7:39 pm )
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Post #8
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You missed three of my favirites: "Footloose," "Hairspray" (original John Waters version) and Coppala's "One From the Heart!"

- MrMAB
( December 7th, 2007 | 8:05 pm )
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Post #9
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bradbrevet said: You know, I thought of the Bond films when I was looking over Dre's list, but there really isn't one that is all that good. Also, if you include one you pretty much have to include them all… I don't really see any of them differentiating themselves. I thought the Casino Royale one was cool, but in no way as memorable as most of these.

Out of curiosity, what Bond film would you say should be on this list?

How about a top 10 Bond opening's?:D

- batliff
( December 11th, 2007 | 11:26 am )
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Post #10
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batliff said: How about a top 10 Bond opening's?:D

That would be an interesting one wouldn't it… I may have to let that one stew for a while, break out the Bond collection and see what surfaces.

However, I did do an article about this back in March here's the link.

- bradbrevet
( December 11th, 2007 | 2:09 pm )
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Post #11
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i agree on the superrman opening would be number one! & good points for david fincher's 3 films making it in the list!

- dragonrower
( December 18th, 2007 | 6:42 pm )
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Post #12
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An opening credit sequence I think a lot of you are going to love once the movie is released is the one for The Orphanage. As it is playing the first time you see it you are going to be like, "What the hell? Why is this so long?" but by the end of the film you will immediately think back to that title sequence. It is great.

- bradbrevet
( December 18th, 2007 | 6:54 pm )
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Post #13
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Pink Panthers anyone?

- DazFromDundee
( January 13th, 2009 | 5:09 am )
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