Whether or not they ultimately connect
to the overall plot of the movie or not, you can't go wrong with a
great pre-credit sequence. The James Bond franchise has had some
exceptional opening sequences over the year, and we're going to honor
them today. But first, let's get the worst ones out of the way.
5.Live and Let Die
I'll give this one credit for the
fairly serious mood it creates right off of the bat with the deaths
of three British agents back to back, but this is one opening
sequence that doesn't really stick out. I really can't explain why.
4. You Only Live Twice
Another rather forgettable opener,
despite finishing with James Bond's supposed death.
3. Diamonds are Forever:
The last Bond movie to star Sean
Connery (for EON, specifically) is a film with an opener that could
have worked really well. It follows Bond as he hunts down Blofeld
before sending him to his supposed death in a pool of super-hot mud.
The reason why this sequence had so much potential to it is because
it could serve as Bond getting revenge on Blofeld for the death of
his wife Tracy from the previous movie, 'On Her Majesty's Secret
Service'. However, the reason why it doesn't work is because Sean
Connery is back in the role as Bond and it's just not the same
without George Lazenby in the role.
2. For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only opens up with an
excellent reference to 'OHMSS' as Bond visits his wife Tracy's grave
to pay his respects. Then, he enters a helicopter which is controlled
by a mysterious man in a wheelchair stroking a white cat. Of course,
this is meant to be Blofeld, even though he is not officially listed
as Blofeld due to legal reasons. I'm okay with that, and I can even
ignore that, like 'DaF', this is a different Bond than George Lazenby
(in this case, Roger Moore). The main problem I have with this
sequence is when the scene concludes with Blofeld being dropped down
a chimney stack by Bond. Talk about the worst way to kill off the
best Bond villain of all time, especially the one who had a key role
in Tracy's death.
1. A View to a Kill
Ski chases may be common in Bond
movies, but this one is pretty weak. First of all, we get our first
warning that at this point, Moore is too old to play the role of Bond
anymore. It's pretty clear that his stunt double is the one doing all
of the work here. But most importantly, why did the filmmakers decide
to go with the Beach Boys' 'California Girls' for the music? This is
easily the most out of place music in any Bond film by far.
Now that we got the worst openers out
of the way, here are the best Bond Opening Sequences of all time...
5. From Russia With Love
The first thing that this opening
sequence does great is establish Robert Shaw's Red Grant as a truly
intimidating foe for Bond. The two go through a hedge-maze trying to
kill one another until Grant ultimately succeeds. But before you
start to fear that Bond is truly dead, it was only a test for Grant
to prove himself to his superiors. A truly suspenseful opening and an
excellent way to start off the film.
4. Skyfall
What a superb way to bring back Bond
after a four year hiatus. This opening sequence has some really
terrific action sequences as Bond and field agent Eve track down
mercenary Patrice to attempt to recover a stolen list of undercover
agents. It concludes with probably the best of Bond's 'supposed
deaths' when M orders Eve to shoot Patrice, but she shoots Bond by
mistake. Of course we know he's not really dead, but this one
probably had the most impact compared to 'You Only Live Twice' or
even 'From Russia With Love'.
3. The Spy Who Loved Me
We all remember the finale of this
great opening sequence where Bond jumps off a cliff after escaping
his pursuers on skis and then opens up his Union Jack parachute. When
it comes to some of the most iconic moments in franchise history, the
final shot of this scene is one of them but of course the sequence
itself is top of the line.
2. Goldfinger
My friend Augie put it best, this one
is just plain classic. Three words, 'shocking... positively
shocking'.
1. Casino Royale
So if Skyfall's opening helped get Bond
back on track after a four-year absence, Casino Royale was an
exceptional start to Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond with its
black-and-white opening sequence where Bond earns his '00 agent'
status by killing a traitorous MI6 chief and his contact. It
perfectly establishes the Bond that Craig portrays, and immediately
sucks you in for the rest of the movie that comes after. That is why
it is the best opening sequence to any Bond film ever made.
NEXT UP: THE BEST OF BOND'S ALLIES (M,
Q, Monnypenny, etc...)
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