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Great Movie Openings
By an Amazon.com customer
Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition)Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition)
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $2.58
First, you see the clouds with the tail fin of the airplane piercing it like a shark's fin. Then, you have the plane rising like the Jaws Shark. Then, you have the terminal scene at the beginning. A classic!
Batman (Two-Disc Special Edition)Batman (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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Another one that surprises the viewer. You see two thieves rob a couple, and expect that to be the Waynes, and it turns out it isn't; it's the present time, and the crooks are about to get a visitor.
Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)
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The opening of Blade Runner does a great job of introducing the story and creating tension.
Broadcast NewsBroadcast News
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I'm not a fan of going back to a character's childhood as an intro, but this movie is the exception, the best use of this approach by introducing all three main characters.
Carrie (Special Edition)Carrie (Special Edition)
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The first scene was great at setting the tone of the movie.
Cats & Dogs (Widescreen Edition)Cats & Dogs (Widescreen Edition)
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The beginning of this movie shows the fun right from the start.
Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition)Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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Starts as part of a double flashback, but it sets the tone for the movie. My favorite movie of all time.
Chicago (Widescreen Edition)Chicago (Widescreen Edition)
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Excellent start to the movie, with a great appearance by Catherine Zeta Jones that set the stage for the movie.
Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition)Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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Considered by some to be the best picture of all time; the opening is great and does a good job of setting the stage.
A Clockwork Orange (Two-Disc Special Edition)A Clockwork Orange (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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One of the classic opening scenes, concentrating on Malcolm McDowell's character. Enough to unnerve you from the start.
Diamonds Are Forever - 2-Disc Ultimate EditionDiamonds Are Forever - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
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I thought this was the most effective and enjoyable Bond opening scene.
Dr. No - 2-Disc Ultimate EditionDr. No - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
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The first Bond movie, with a unique opening. This picture, by the way, does not follow the opening format the latter movies in the series do.
Dune (Extended Edition)Dune (Extended Edition)
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I love the prologue which tells what is going on with the story.
Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver SurferFantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer
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It starts off showing a person fall off a boat, and find out the water is frozen solid.
Fighting Back [VHS]Fighting Back [VHS]
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I enjoyed the introduction, how Tom Skerritt's character starts out as one of the crowd at first.
First BloodFirst Blood
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Like the book, it starts with John Rambo walking into town. Great start.
Force 10 From NavaroneForce 10 From Navarone
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This intro let me know I was ready for a rip roaring adventure.
From Russia With Love - 2-Disc Ultimate EditionFrom Russia With Love - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
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One of the most surprising Bond openings, and this on only the second in the series!
The Incredibles (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)The Incredibles (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
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An action packed flashback that sets the stage for what happens afterwards.
Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom - Widescreen Version (1984)Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom - Widescreen Version (1984)
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I thought the credits was a contrast to the rest of the movie, followed by very effect first views of the villains (for the first sequence of the movie) and the hero.
Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
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This movie starts with WWI children of Germany, France, and Scotland all speaking with hatred toward their enemies in their own language.
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
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This picture did a great job of introducing the story for what would happen afterwards.
The Man With The Golden Gun - 2-Disc Ultimate EditionThe Man With The Golden Gun - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
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I thought the opening sequence was very creative. It helped make the antagonist (Christopher Lee) seem more likable, which I enjoyed in the movie.
Mary Poppins (Disney Gold Classic Collection)Mary Poppins (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
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Bert (Dick Van Dyke) did a great job of introducing the story.
Never a Dull Moment [VHS]Never a Dull Moment [VHS]
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Starts off with an action scene, and you quickly learn the protagonist is an actor, which is a set up for what happens next.
Never Say Never AgainNever Say Never Again
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A thrilling start, where you quickly discover it is just a simulation.
The Paradise Trail [VHS]The Paradise Trail [VHS]
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This movie grabbed my attention right from the start, with two criminal brothers on the loose.
RunawayRunaway
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I like the way the movie eases its way into the main story.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
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After the opening credits, the scene switches to the Enterprise, which is under attack, and you see Spock addressing Captain . . . Savich (Kirstie Alley). Great attention getter.
Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
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After the credits, this one goes to a hearing where Klingons are making a complaint about Captian Kirk. This is another attention getter.
Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
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Star Wars is definitely a classic, but the first movie (now episode IV) was superb and unique with how it started.
Stop Making SenseStop Making Sense
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Yes, this is a concert video. But it starts off showing David Byrne walk onto the stage which is basically bare, and starts into the first song solo. Gradually, the other band members join in.
That Darn Cat!That Darn Cat!
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This had a very clever intro, following the cat (D.C.) into a yard with a dog, and having the dog stuck in a fence bark out "That Darn Cat".
A Thief in the NightA Thief in the Night
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Starts off with Patti, the main character, waking up and finding her husband had disappeared in thin air. It then flashes back to the story. Very effective, though not quite as effective as its ending.
Tron (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition)Tron (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
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The opening for the movie is fast paced and exciting, before you get into the main story.
Without a ClueWithout a Clue
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A nice Sherlock Holmes mystery solved, until you find out that Sherlock Holmes is an actor and Dr. Watson is the genius.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series)Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series)
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Starts off as a cartoon, until you realize the cartoons are actors.
You Only Live TwiceYou Only Live Twice
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A great opening to this movie. First, the space scene that sets up the story. Great segue to introduce Bond, with a mini-cliff hanger (after you watch the credits).