Which film had the best opening scene/sequence?

[SRFX]

Going into this thread I thought "hmmm, this might be a tough call...." but then I started reading and I just remember Star Trek XI, and yeah.....this is definitely hands down the best intro to a Star Trek movie.

Hell, it's one of the best intros period. It's how I have always wanted Star Trek to feel.

Not to say the other Star Trek films don't have good intros.

TMP: For me the best part is actually just the music and title credits, mainly because of the unique way the music starts with two heavy big drum beats which isn't used in any other rendition of the TMP theme - and then the Klingon encounter with V'Ger is amazing.

TFF: The brief teaser with Sybok is short and to the point, and got me instantly wrapped. The subsequent mountain climbing scene with Kirk is beautiful as well

TUC: *BOOM* and then Captain Sulu action. Pretty much perfect really.

 

[cooleddie74]

To this day, the TMP Klingons give me the willies. I call them "Vampire Warriors." Those fangs. The creepy eye shadow to enhance their eyes and make them stand out more eerily against their faces...the one-size-fits-all "spinal vertebrae" head ridges that were more severe looking in appearance than most TNG/DS9/VOY-era head designs that would follow in coming years...the way Mark Lenard barked the Klingon language so shrilly.

(*Shudders*)

GOOD STUFF.

 

[MvRojo]

If not for the Kelvin sequence, I probably would've picked TMP or TUC.

 

[The Castellan]

To this day, the TMP Klingons give me the willies. I call them "Vampire Warriors." Those fangs. The creepy eye shadow to enhance their eyes and make them stand out more eerily against their faces...the one-size-fits-all "spinal vertebrae" head ridges that were more severe looking in appearance than most TNG/DS9/VOY-era head designs that would follow in coming years...the way Mark Lenard barked the Klingon language so shrilly.

(*Shudders*)

GOOD STUFF.

They were so good, Mattel pretty much stole the look to use for Beast-Man in the Masters of the Universe series.

But yes, the TMP Klingons were always what I'd call "Real Klingons" (Real ridged Klingons, anyhow). I mean I look at these guys, and I'd know that these were a bunch of mother fuckers you would not want to mess with, unless you enjoy combat, and are good at it.

And yea, the later klingons, with maybe acception of Gowron and the Klingon that Shredder's voice actor did in Ent, not many were AS menacing....remember the "Worf's head looks like a fanny!" joke on Family Guy? And he did not mean fanny as in someone's posterior.....if you know the British meaning of that word, you will know what the joke's about.

JJ, if you are reading any of this....use The Motion Picture style Klingons...in both apperence and behavior....in the next film if you are going to use the Klingons in any way. Make them scary again...no more bad cosplayer ones we seen in the past, mmmkay?

 

[Cafcow]

Star Trek XI would have to be my favorite. ]:3

 

[cooleddie74]

I so hope any TREK XII Klingons take a cue from the 1979 makeup design and don't go some "Planet of the Apes"/Tim Burton primate route the way the nose ridges under the deleted scene helmets indicated.

 

[buckeyenation]

although i voted for tmp, generations is a close second.very exciting sequence with kirk saving the day, but (seemingly)losing his life

 

[drychlick]

tmp by far the best ever

 

[cooleddie74]

GENERATIONS' opening probably made more people misty-eyed than any opening before XI came along. I remember to this day after 15 years a few people in the theater audibly sniffled or gasped when the impression was left that Kirk was killed by the Nexus and we saw Scotty and Chekov staring out so mournfully into open space.

I think Dennis McCarthy's extremely impressive transition music from the end of the 23rd century to Picard and Co. on the holographic sailing frigate helps make the "Kirk Sucked into Space" sequence so impactful.

 

[Penhall99]

I'd say Generations had the best opening. It's too bad the rest of the film didn't capture at least a little bit of the excitement of that sequence...

TMP was great too.

 

[Penhall99]

I think Dennis McCarthy's extremely impressive transition music from the end of the 23rd century to Picard and Co. on the holographic sailing frigate helps make the "Kirk Sucked into Space" sequence so impactful.

Agreed, McCarthy's score was excellent. I actually have the soundtrack CD and listen to it often. Definitely one of the best film scores, IMO...

 

[Shazam!]

To this day, even after almost 30 years, the opening Klingon-V'Ger sequence of TMP remains profoundly creepy, eerie and even scary in large part thanks to the awesome Jerry Goldsmith Klingon score and what still ranks as the creepiest, scariest Klingon makeup in the entire history of the TREK franchise.

Yeah, it's a good scene. I like how it's played slowly rather than an over-the-top action sequence.

 

[cooleddie74]

To this day, even after almost 30 years, the opening Klingon-V'Ger sequence of TMP remains profoundly creepy, eerie and even scary in large part thanks to the awesome Jerry Goldsmith Klingon score and what still ranks as the creepiest, scariest Klingon makeup in the entire history of the TREK franchise.

Yeah, it's a good scene. I like how it's played slowly rather than an over-the-top action sequence.

Even when Lenard's commander goes "shhhhhh!" it is creepy and scary. Even though logically you know there's no point in quietly shushing someone when a giant plasma weapon is tracking your 300-meter-long battle cruiser through space.

 

[ThunderAeroI]

Is it wrong of me to think that Generations does not even start until the enterprise is on the ocean? I like that scene, too bad his nephew had to die.

 

[Anji]

The opening to TSFS only because it brings back memories of seeing it in the movie theater. We were all wondering if all the rumors we heard about bringing Spock back was true. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

 

[cooleddie74]

Even TFF had a pretty great opening, if subdued. Arguably one of the two best parts of the entire movie. If you overlook the hammy, WTF? "Mind if we drop in for dinner" line following a near-death drop the scene works without making most people cringe.

 

[Saxman1]

Star Trek (2009) - my entire family was in tears with the birth of Kirk and the death of his father at almost the same time. Powerful stuff.

 

[cooleddie74]

TREK XI certainly has THE BEST opening 10 minutes of any film this year...that's for sure.

 

[Sparky]

ST09 by a country mile. Generations next.

 

[Wynterhawk]

Definitely the attack on Kelvin.