While James Bond’s super-spy allure has been sanded down some by the nitty-gritty realism of Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig’s recent iterations, it’s pretty safe to say when someone mentions title sequences, we all still think of the ardently unreal (and often beautifully psychedelic) openings of the two dozen-plus 007 films — or more specifically the assassin camera targeting Bond down the barrel of a gun. The truth is, though, that most title sequences — born from the necessity of simply telling audiences the name of the movie — are folded much more seamlessly into the fabric of the film. Some such sequences blur innocuously into the opening action, while others work more overtly to establish tone, build character, create a world, or tell an entire background story. It really is a mixed bag, but it’s safe to say, title sequences are an art all their own.
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To help us run through the myriad different forms, styles, and accomplishments of cinema’s hundred years of title sequences, CineFix has put together a video essay ranking the ten best of all time. More than anything else, the video ticks through the many iterations of title sequences that have come to pass over the years, ranging from the elegantly simple to the garish and absurd; the bold to the quiet; the explosive to the timid. The list is complete with the obvious (a handful of Bond films) and the surprising (the Nicolas Cage vehicle “Lord Of War”). Joining them are a whole host of classics including Stanley Kubrick’s “Lolita,” Steven Spielberg‘s “Catch Me If You Can,” and Orson Welles’ “Touch Of Evil.” Those absent are plenty noticeable too, though (“The Good, The Bad And The Ugly,” “Mission: Impossible,” plenty of great stuff from TV, and a personal favorite in “Shaun Of The Dead”/anything Edgar Wright).
Whether or not you’re a student of opening title sequences, CineFix’s “10 Best Opening Title Sequences Of All Time” is a fascinating study of an integral, often overlooked aspect of film, one that arguably deserves a bit more adoration.
Check out the video above and weigh in with your favorite title sequences below.