What's the best opening sequence to any movie?

[BigAlTheFuture]

How about Vanilla Sky? Still one of the coolest opening scenes, IMO. I also agree with the poster that said Gangs of New York. That's definitely up there as well.

[nickagneta]

For me its not even close.

The opening of "Patton" where Patton gives his speech to the 3rd Army. If you didn't want to run out, grab a weapon and go fight Nazis after that, there was something seriously wrong with you.

[sofutomygaha]

Super Troopers (Do you know how fast you were going?)

TP. Among comedy movies, there might not be a better opening sequence. Remember- the movie was terrible but everyone saw it thanks to the fact that the first scene was leaked on the internet and went viral. In 2001, that was an extremely novel thing. I spent like a half hour downloading it so that we could watch it in my dorm room.

[Eja117]

For me its not even close.

The opening of "Patton" where Patton gives his speech to the 3rd Army. If you didn't want to run out, grab a weapon and go fight Nazis after that, there was something seriously wrong with you.

Seriously. 

[Eja117]

Godfather has a pretty good opening.  In the dark. Nowhere near any of the best parts of the movie, but still

Pulp Fiction.....starting in the middle = I love it

Citizen Kane starting at the end .. I think it might have been one of the first to do that

American Beauty with Kevin Spacey saying right of the bat that he's dead was kinda interesting

[Eja117]

Loved the start of Revenge of the Sith with the two Jedi fighters just flying right into the middle of the hugest space battle I had almost every seen

Didn't Godather 2 start with a wedding? I kinda like that

If I remember correctly Glory started with a huge civil war battle

[nickagneta]

Loved the start of Revenge of the Sith with the two Jedi fighters just flying right into the middle of the hugest space battle I had almost every seen

Didn't Godather 2 start with a wedding? I kinda like that

If I remember correctly Glory started with a huge civil war battle

Godfather started with a wedding. Godfather II started with Anthony, Michael's son's, first communion.

[Donoghus]

Beginning of Scrooged always cracks me up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0QVJOEwXac


Best?  Probably not.  Just funny.

[Eja117]

Loved the start of Revenge of the Sith with the two Jedi fighters just flying right into the middle of the hugest space battle I had almost every seen

Didn't Godather 2 start with a wedding? I kinda like that

If I remember correctly Glory started with a huge civil war battle

Godfather started with a wedding. Godfather II started with Anthony, Michael's son's, first communion.

Oh riiigghhhttt.  I knew there was that sleazy senator there.  So I guess I can scratch II from my list if I didn't even remember it right, although I think opening with a first communion is rather unique.

[Fan from VT]

Saw the thread title and first thought wa supertroopers for the amazing extended intro. Just rewatxhed role models the other day and its intro is simple but hilarious and sets the tone for a fantastic movie.

[feckless]

STREETS OF FIRE  a Rock and Roll Fable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251zlGliwOQ


Not the opening but a trailer/clip the opening is similar but better.

[Reggie's Ghost]

Opening to...
(* are for movies that aren't even that good)

Magnolia
*Saving Private Ryan
The Player
*Dawn Of The Dead
*The Wedding Planner (yup, I said it)
Return of the Jedi
Up
Miller's Crossing
*Super Troopers
Reservoir Dogs

best of all time?  The Graduate, which might well be the greatest movie ever made.  "I've just got one word for you: Plastics."

[Eja117]

Fellowship of the Ring...but there were some who resisted.

[Bahku]

The opening shot to "Half Blood Prince" was pretty amazing, and took many weeks to produce that single "wow" moment ... the original "Jaws" was pretty good as well, as well as Mission Impossible 3, (with he and his wife strapped to the chairs for interrodation, and his "wife" being ... (spoiler).

[jambr380]

I know that nobody will agree, but I've always thought of, 'Scream', as having an excellent opening scene...yep, 'Scream'.

I also really thought it helped propel the new generation of horror/suspense movies.