They’re sometimes the best scenes in a 007 movie, but what James Bond pre-titles sequence is best?
TheJames Bondfranchise revolutionized action cinema in the 1960s when it started with 1962sDr.
Noand stands to this day as one of the longest-running film series in history.
This pre-title sequence tradition began with the franchises second movie, 1963sFrom Russia with Love.
Believe it or not,Dr.
Nodoes not actually contain a pre-title action scene and instead dives headfirst into its opening titles.
These prologues highlight the classic elements of a spy who always served Her Majestys Secret Service faithfully.
They also showcase how each of the actors playing Bond differ in their approach to the iconic role.
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23.
Scaramangas compound is built like a funhouse, disorienting his prey before the master moves in for the kill.
Unfortunately, neither of these antagonists appear in the movies opening.
Moore was 58 years-old whenA View to a Killwas released, playing opposite love interests half his age.
By his own subsequent admission, hed overstayed his welcome.
This culminates in Bond derailing an attempt to create a Blofeld doppelganger.
Bond then seems to confront his arch-nemesis in a final and anticlimactic showdown.
Its clear from the jump that Connerys heart isnt entirely in reprising his most iconic role inDiamonds Are Forever.
At the same time, his delivery of the iconic Bond, James Bond line falls flat.
The opening toOctopussyhas Bond infiltrate the unveiling of an experimental aircraft in an unidentified Latin American dictatorship.
The Acrostar is the highlight of the pre-title sequence, although it isnt on-screen all too much.
A much darker movie follows the opening titles than the prologue hints at.
AsLicence to Killbegins, an era for the franchise comes to an end.
Bonds boat chase on Thames doesnt really have the high-octane punch that the filmmakers were likely hoping for.
In contrast to Moores movies, the action is more grounded, perhaps too much.
It avoids coming off as overly flashy but lacks the sense of spectacle that came with the Moore era.
As the assassin, Red Grant (Robert Shaw) strangles Connerys Bond seemingly to death!
Connery practically glides through every scene inThunderball, elevating what is otherwise weaker material than he deserved.
A message to Eons legal foes, perhaps?
Moonraker (1979)
Moonrakeris the most unabashedly over-the-top and wacky thing the Bond franchise ever did.
It took Moores Bond to outer space in the wake ofStar Wars immense success.
Though most viewers rememberMoonrakerfor its goofy laser battle climax, the opening is the true highlight to the movie.
It successfully signaled the franchise was getting a fresh start.
Although there is still one more Cold War nod.
In the pre-title sequence, Bond disrupts terrorists commencing with an illegal arms sale of Soviet weapons.
It kicks off a pitch-perfect introduction of Brosnans 007 in action that is slicker than hisGoldenEyereveal.
However, the opening does lose momentum considerably once it moves into the helicopter fight while recycling music fromSkyfall.
It keeps this prologue from standing as the franchises best.
Brosnan is also well matched by co-star Bean, a man who couldve very well been Bond himself.
Their on-screen rapport forms the emotional backbone ofGoldenEyeright from the start.
