Best Title Sequences
A long time ago, after the dawn of movie pictures, one would find themselves with delightful title sequences. Maybe it’s because they wanted to showcase the music or tone of the film. Or maybe it’s because they were smart enough to recognise the important players of their movie and spread them in Technicolor glory. Because dammit, they made the film and every single person watching this movie is going to know about it. Since then, the credits have become the precursor for the madman dash to the car park (why do no people want appreciate the sweat of the crew? Alas.) But sometimes, it’s damn impressive to find filmmakers getting creative with their title sequences, even nowadays.
Catch Me If You Can
Catch Me If You Can is the real life story of Frank Abignale and his meticulous cons across America. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, it showcases the dumbfounded institutes that were easily penetrable and the federal agents that tried to catch him. The sequence in question is one of the best ones of all time. Created by Kuntzel and Deygas's animation sets the tone of the era and is soundtracked by noir-esque Jazz by John Williams. On screen, a delightful contrast of a bright colours representing each identity heist sets stage to slender black figures telling the tale. A snappy introduction, it sets the light hearted crime thriller feel in a matter of moments.
Click to View
Watchmen
May have to discuss my feelings about Watchmen at a later date because repetitive viewings and growing up have decayed it somewhat angrily in my mind. Nevertheless, no matter how you feel about Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the raging Alan Moores graphic novel, there is no denying that the open sequence was hot as hell. Showcasing the downfall of masked vigilantes, the death of so many superheroes once beloved to their public, the slowed down but still moving snap shots are captivating. Set to Bob Dylan’s Times Are A Changing, it encompasses a parallel world that has abandoned violently its dependence on latex and masks.
Click to View
The Life of Brian
How do you get through thirty years of life after the birth of the main character in the opening scene? By an animated title sequence of course! When he wasn’t directing or writing jokes, Terry Gilliam spent most of his time animating the sequences in-between sketches for Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Although translating his skills into the movies they made weren’t an easy task, they succeeded with Holy Grail (until the unsuspected heart attack) and struggled to squeeze it in with Brian. Yet a Python film is not complete without Gilliam’s skilled hands and the title sequence, set to a perfect ballad sung by Sonia Jones channelling Shirley Bassey.
Click to View
Vertigo
My favourite thing about this title sequence was reading the comment, “wow Saul Bass was on a lot of drugs when he made this.” Nevertheless, it is one of the best and intense scenes of Hitchcock movies. With the spirally graphics played throughout the eyes of an unknown woman, the dizzying effects makes you feel like the characters suffering from Vertigo. Let’s not forget about the thrilling and tense score that proved Bernard Hermmann as one of the greatest composers of all time. Ultimately, the air of Vertigo is set proving this to be one of Hitchcock’s most indelible pieces of work.
Napoleon Dynamite
Gosh! This is like one of the best opening sequences ever. Napoleon Dynamite is the cult classic movie that is extremely quotable. It revolves around the titular character navigating his world through in Preston, Idaho. The sleepy town feel where nothing exciting really happens is portrayed well in this staggering introduction set seminally to the beat of “We’re Going To Be Friend” by the White Stripes. What we see is a bunch of everyday objects with the names of cast and crew in them. It’s clever and altogether stellar. Click to View