How To Begin A Movie

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 28 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 4,3 тис.

  • @bricecate
    @bricecate 5 років тому +11180

    I love it when a film shows you everything you need to know about the character without telling you anything. The joker intro was just about perfect.

    • @dereklewis4321
      @dereklewis4321 5 років тому +201

      Or Reservoir Dogs. Their intro sceen tells you each charecter. The rat calls out mr.pink for not tipping. Mr.pink survives because hes only looking out for himself. Mr.brown is irrelevant in the film hence why he talks about pop culture and the other guy sticks up for the waitress because he has some morality to him. Really a brilliant sceen.

    • @mankyt
      @mankyt 4 роки тому +46

      Derek Lewis holy shit I never thought about the foreshadowing of the ratting
      out

    • @captaindeadpool313
      @captaindeadpool313 4 роки тому +8

      Also The Social Network

    • @Caped___Crusader
      @Caped___Crusader 3 роки тому +4

      perfect*. Agreed, what a tremendous opening sequence.

    • @Xgil2Play
      @Xgil2Play 3 роки тому +6

      The actor, the writer, the director and director of photography have to work together to achieve that. When done correctly, it just adds so much more value to the film.

  • @solar6654
    @solar6654 5 років тому +5191

    I also really like the opening of UP it didnt really have much dialogue but man it hits hard.

    • @nguyen-vuluu3150
      @nguyen-vuluu3150 4 роки тому +321

      Up is excellently made, that shit makes a grown man cry

    • @guy2655
      @guy2655 4 роки тому +194

      That one scene carrys the whole film

    • @scottysatpanalysis
      @scottysatpanalysis 4 роки тому +23

      @@nguyen-vuluu3150 yep

    • @MadCapMag
      @MadCapMag 4 роки тому +98

      That’s the beauty of film. “Show, don’t tell”

    • @colebaker___
      @colebaker___ 3 роки тому +19

      I rewatched Up the other day and that opening sticks with you the whole movie. It’s amazing

  • @devlinash2667
    @devlinash2667 5 років тому +10875

    According to my research from school, you need a begining, middle, and end.

    • @abe6495
      @abe6495 5 років тому +615

      Not if you're Quentin Tarantino.

    • @legromorph2854
      @legromorph2854 5 років тому +114

      Or if your name is Lebowsky and your nick name Dude xD

    • @mikemoore7232
      @mikemoore7232 5 років тому +162

      A beginning, middle, and the twist!

    • @laurocoman
      @laurocoman 5 років тому +67

      @@mikemoore7232 dat Shyamalan way

    • @JoviaI1
      @JoviaI1 5 років тому +80

      Tell that to Christopher Nolan's "Memento"

  • @averydae1810
    @averydae1810 4 роки тому +5337

    I remember watching dark knight as a kid and being like, “where’s f**ken Batman!??”, for the first 15 minutes of the film

  • @ieradossantos
    @ieradossantos 5 років тому +4481

    The opening of the Dark Knight is something special indeed, I love it

    • @Anubis-xk4ht
      @Anubis-xk4ht 4 роки тому +10

      It was a rip off of point break

    • @Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human
      @Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human 4 роки тому +88

      What I love about it is how it portrays Joker an the anti-Batman. He's the criminal genius version, what Batman could be if he went bad.
      He has everything planned out in a weirdly chaotic way. I imagine he had 8 different escape routes planned and had no idea which one he'd end up using.
      I loved the way he turned the rest of the gang against each other as they became less useful to him, the way he stays masked until the end, the way he sent out that one thug against the bank manager after lying about the manager being out of bullets.
      It's a brilliant piece of storytelling that sets up Joker as a credible, scary villain in just a few minutes.

    • @ghostofdeath663
      @ghostofdeath663 4 роки тому

      @Mr Respectable he's right there's nothing unique or original about it it ripped off point break and pay day 2 I've better character intros out there

    • @Brucewayne-yr1tx
      @Brucewayne-yr1tx 4 роки тому +3

      @Mr Respectable no ordinary bank robbery

    • @michaelslater6839
      @michaelslater6839 4 роки тому +7

      Great movie series no doubt. Although I wish we could’ve kept the same Rachel throughout the movies!

  • @Shadowfire204
    @Shadowfire204 5 років тому +13766

    *A bunch of crazy shit going on and then a freeze frame*
    "That's me. Wondering how I got here?"
    That's obviously the best way to open a movie.

    • @stinger9588
      @stinger9588 5 років тому +782

      Deadpool

    • @Shadowfire204
      @Shadowfire204 5 років тому +83

      @@stinger9588 Yeah lol

    • @elsaekberg5616
      @elsaekberg5616 5 років тому +431

      Plus points if baba o'Riley by The Who is playing in the background

    • @youvebeenpoisoned5018
      @youvebeenpoisoned5018 5 років тому +435

      Megamind!

    • @chrisadams1025
      @chrisadams1025 5 років тому +315

      Skyros_42 really lol many other movies have done this besides dead pool

  • @DracoDovakiin
    @DracoDovakiin 5 років тому +3741

    Monty Python:
    Not to mention that they start it out by playing "the wrong bloody film."

    • @BollywoodBonanzaB
      @BollywoodBonanzaB 5 років тому +137

      Holy Grail is just 🥰

    • @thehumblewolf
      @thehumblewolf 4 роки тому +25

      Thank you for saying this ❤️

    • @fereartem
      @fereartem 4 роки тому +80

      The subtitles in the opening credits and in fact the credits themselves are hilarious

    • @krat2242
      @krat2242 4 роки тому +22

      and our adventure starts by following the local milk man....

    • @samarvora7185
      @samarvora7185 4 роки тому +34

      Mynd you, moose bytes can be pretti nasti...

  • @rinkulink
    @rinkulink 4 роки тому +1329

    Regarding the opening sequence of The Matrix, to me, it's even more interesting considering how the Wachowski siblings used it as a gamble. The studio initially granted them a budget of only ten million dollars for the whole movie, although they needed sixty-three million. So what they did was to use the whole ten million they got, just to shoot that sequence with Trinity and make it so good as to convince the studio to grant them the budget they eventually got. So basically the Wachowskis used the opening sequence for its purpose to showcase the kind of movie it's going to be on its own, because they needed to and it worked perfectly.

    • @samwellick1706
      @samwellick1706 2 роки тому +18

      I didn't know this!

    • @gdsonsow
      @gdsonsow Рік тому +15

      Did they get the money they needed because of it?

    • @rinkulink
      @rinkulink Рік тому +28

      @@gdsonsow they did

    • @Frawt
      @Frawt Рік тому +10

      ​@@gdsonsowI mean...the Matrix exists innit?

    • @GnJs6PackTraining
      @GnJs6PackTraining Рік тому +2

      Still blown away by that opening. I knew nothing, best way to see a movie

  • @cabrondemente1
    @cabrondemente1 5 років тому +6283

    Willy Wonka: Here's a sequence of how a chocolate is packaged.
    Lord of War: Hold my Beretta.

    • @endorneyodera4366
      @endorneyodera4366 5 років тому +43

      Beeretta

    • @decatessara5029
      @decatessara5029 5 років тому +40

      The wonka sequence had much better music

    • @ToastGamingNCrew
      @ToastGamingNCrew 5 років тому +96

      @@decatessara5029 imagine loading a bullet to the Wonka chocolate packing theme.

    • @decatessara5029
      @decatessara5029 5 років тому +8

      @@ToastGamingNCrew it could work

    • @ToastGamingNCrew
      @ToastGamingNCrew 5 років тому +16

      @@decatessara5029 who can make a gun range, sparkle up with joy?

  • @Merijn1987
    @Merijn1987 5 років тому +4468

    Up, man. That opening is up there with the greatest opening montages of all time.

    • @spacepatrolofficer
      @spacepatrolofficer 5 років тому +220

      Whats Up, man?

    • @eliegbert8121
      @eliegbert8121 5 років тому +9

      ikr man, one of the best movies out there

    • @mahmoodal-rawi9195
      @mahmoodal-rawi9195 5 років тому +107

      @@spacepatrolofficer nothing much, hbu

    • @spacepatrolofficer
      @spacepatrolofficer 5 років тому +17

      Mahmood Al-rawi nothing really

    • @kevinmsft
      @kevinmsft 5 років тому +3

      Not really agreeing... it's forced (albeit well executed) melodrama.

  • @sparkle030
    @sparkle030 6 років тому +7205

    But don't forget: You need to master the rules before you can break them.

    • @manooxi327
      @manooxi327 6 років тому +260

      what a wholesome way to put it

    • @dragon-tamer7956
      @dragon-tamer7956 6 років тому +42

      Good point! :D

    • @HeyMykee
      @HeyMykee 6 років тому +285

      And break them for a good *reason.*

    • @keltonrichards169
      @keltonrichards169 6 років тому +71

      Sounds like a rule to me

    • @88eyeguy
      @88eyeguy 6 років тому +169

      Precisely. I'm going to try to quote one of my old writing profs as best I can remember: "You can and should break the rules for a reason, but you can't know that reason until you know the damn rules."

  • @elliotbrim5630
    @elliotbrim5630 Рік тому +200

    I think another great example of an opening not mentioned is Baby Driver. It grips you from the first moment and conveys so much without a word.

    • @skinnywizard6351
      @skinnywizard6351 Рік тому +8

      That movie is just awesome overall

    • @esotericmarbles
      @esotericmarbles Рік тому +8

      i love the opening of that movie! the camerawork, the driving, just everything is perfect! one of my favourite movies of all time

  • @RA-lm2id
    @RA-lm2id 5 років тому +1386

    *The opening of Logan is like the film maker grabbing a sledge hammer and smashing it in your face, saying “Get ready. You’re in for one hell of a ride.”*
    - The closer look 2018

    • @dereklewis4321
      @dereklewis4321 5 років тому +45

      I had to pause the movie after he stabbed a bunch of people in the face. I had no idea it was rated R. I needed to buckle up for what I was about to watch.

    • @rbanerjee605
      @rbanerjee605 5 років тому +34

      Derek Lewis I had to do the same but for the emoji movie.

    • @theomorphical
      @theomorphical 3 роки тому +3

      Oh, the innocence in this post... you never had 20/20 vision

  • @appealtoreason7584
    @appealtoreason7584 5 років тому +539

    Halloween (1978) had an amazing opening. It threw you immediately into the POV of the killer, then revealing that you were in the shoes of a 6 year old child the entire time is utterly chilling on the first watch, and really establishes the dark nature of not only the film but the main antagonist as well.

  • @MrSoundofmusic
    @MrSoundofmusic 5 років тому +1873

    The Dark Knight was an experience of it's own. That movie was WAY beyond many of the movies of today.

    • @Nayce2
      @Nayce2 2 роки тому +15

      One of my best movies of all time

    • @tietscho
      @tietscho Рік тому +3

      I’ve never watched Batman. Is it still good?

    • @kane4013
      @kane4013 Рік тому +2

      Damn straight!

    • @zaizia
      @zaizia Рік тому +3

      i gotta say, greatest movie of all time imo

    • @zaizia
      @zaizia Рік тому +5

      @@tietscho definitely watch the Bale trilogy, one of the greatest trilogies of all time and i’d consider The Dark Knight to be the best movie of all time

  • @jacopocongiu6917
    @jacopocongiu6917 4 роки тому +466

    "As far as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster"

    • @Abood99222
      @Abood99222 4 роки тому +22

      Goodfellas summed up in 10 seconds

    • @iftachbarnea8223
      @iftachbarnea8223 4 роки тому +7

      Idk how he didn't talk about it this is the goat start of a movie

    • @lepmuhangpa
      @lepmuhangpa 3 роки тому +6

      He had voice-overs and visual storytelling and dialogue. He broke the rules.

    • @russell6clacks
      @russell6clacks 3 роки тому +17

      I love this opening scene.
      You start with a car driving down a highway. The opening placard places us in New York, 1970. Cut to the interior of the car. Ray Liotta is driving, Robert de Niro is sleeping in the shotgun seat and Joe Pesci is sleeping in the backseat behind de Niro. Ray wipes his eye - apparently he'd been driving for a while.
      Suddenly, BUMP. Ray blinks, and Joe wakes up in the back. The bumping continues. The first spoken line of dialogue is, "What the fuck is that?" Appropriate, for a film with a '300' F-Bomb count. You know already this isn't a movie for the kids. de Niro, who we find out is named Tommy, gets asked if Ray hit something, or if they ran a flat. Joe then loudly declares, "What the fuck, you better pull over and see."
      Next we're in a dark wood, or forest or something. All three of them are out of the car, and approach the trunk apprehensively. There's a shot of the trunk with the bumping sounds coming from it. The shot is a slow zoom, very ominous in the dark. We cut back to the guys and notice they're all wearing suits. Tommy is holding a shovel, while Joe pulls out a huge knife from his suit pocket. At this point we're invested. What's in the trunk? Tommy and Joe nod at Ray to open the trunk. Ray approaches as if he doesn't want to touch the thing. He pops it open...
      There's a man covered in bloody cloth in the back. His face is unrecognizable. He's saying something, but is immediately interrupted by Joe Pesci. Joe has a look of hatred in his eyes, and goes, "He's still alive! Fucking piece of shit...die!" as he's stabbing the man repeatedly with his knife. Tommy then pulls out a gun and fires four shots into the man. If he wasn't dead yet from the stabbing, he is now. Silence reigns. Ray turns to his friends, then closes the trunk as the narration begins:
      "As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster." Freeze frame on Ray's face. "Rags to Riches" by Tony Bennett plays.
      From the start we know this is about a gangster, and his rise to power - from Rags to Riches - all without over exposition. We know the film is going to be brutal and bloody, as evidenced by the mob hit we just witnessed, complete with stabbings and shootings. We know it will be set in New York in the 70s, we know there's going to be a lot of profanity, we know it's not going to be a Sicilian family drama a la Godfather but deals more with the wet work side of the mafia and all the hardcore bloodletting that goes with it. The most amazing thing is, the whole thing takes place in a minute and thirty seconds, after that the opening credits roll and we get on with the show. Scorsese does not fuck around - there's a reason he is so celebrated.

  • @Win090949
    @Win090949 5 років тому +2371

    The shining used the helvetica font as the opening creds
    HELVETICA

    • @billt5410
      @billt5410 5 років тому +32

      Thank you for letting me skipping this video and go to The Shining opening credits. Yes I’m sorry I haven’t watched The Shining enough.

    • @Cyphlix
      @Cyphlix 5 років тому +89

      Shouldve been comic sans

    • @JohnSmith-yw4bh
      @JohnSmith-yw4bh 5 років тому +74

      PAPYRUS

    • @letsplayer1018
      @letsplayer1018 5 років тому +40

      It kinda makes it more scary cuz it's so plain and blunt

    • @melfunctional9342
      @melfunctional9342 5 років тому +24

      AND FKIN AVATAR USED PAPYRUS

  • @hugovdberg5374
    @hugovdberg5374 6 років тому +3005

    I like it when there's a narrator in a movie, LOTR proves that it doenst have to be boring as long as the words are spoken well.. or maybe im boring idk

    • @dv96_dk
      @dv96_dk 6 років тому +125

      DWTW no the prologue is iconic

    • @Syphious64
      @Syphious64 6 років тому +303

      I usually hate narrated intro's but until you mentioned it I never even realized that its the only narrated intro that just draws me in.
      Like he said, Breaking the rules can still make a great intro and I think that is what was done for LOTR. Plus, Without a narrated intro to that series, I believe the whole story would be too overwhelming and confusing off the start because so much goes on and there is so much lore you already get introduced to later.

    • @dv96_dk
      @dv96_dk 6 років тому +43

      Syphious that intro needed to happen for sure

    • @hugovdberg5374
      @hugovdberg5374 6 років тому +7

      @@Syphious64 good points I agree

    • @ainasahalin4379
      @ainasahalin4379 6 років тому +15

      not a movie but you can't bring up narration without me thinking of the chimera ant arc of hunter x hunter...

  • @kono5933
    @kono5933 5 років тому +4796

    There is one occasion where a character can narrate at the start.
    *I am speed*

    • @mistermaxie6487
      @mistermaxie6487 4 роки тому +559

      I mean, Cars has a pretty good opening. You immediately learn that Lightning is a cocky and douchey son of a b that thinks everything revolves around him. It sets up his own expectations, his character, what to expect for the character, and then after the intro we see things unravel for Lightning's cocky attitude that will inevitably change his life for the better: blowing the two tires on his last lap, getting stranded in Radiator Springs, etc.

    • @samarvora7185
      @samarvora7185 4 роки тому +158

      This is Berk...

    • @likesc00b59
      @likesc00b59 4 роки тому +99

      @@samarvora7185 and how to train your dragon was a really great movie, too

    • @winstonsmiththx1138
      @winstonsmiththx1138 4 роки тому +14

      Or goodfellas

    • @Mahfireballs
      @Mahfireballs 4 роки тому +50

      The Lord of the Rings, did it really well and well it was just kinda nescary I think as there just was no way to keep all the info in the film without making it unbearably long for the casual audience. (They already stretched it "quite beyond what was deemed the max time limit for a succesfull movie") So yeah doing the exposition saved a awfull lot of time for other themes and info. Meanwhile they still did an awfull lot of telling you bye showing or referencing or being accurate to the deeper lore they don't have the time for. So yeah they didn't choose the lazy way they just did both and they did it really well.

  • @Guney1886
    @Guney1886 Рік тому +552

    LOTR opens with dialogue that basically explains the story. And it is easily one of the best openings.

    • @brenbown
      @brenbown Рік тому +54

      Missed the part where he said it's okay to break rules.

    • @Xol_Will_of_the_Divorce
      @Xol_Will_of_the_Divorce Рік тому +15

      @Isaac
      6:18
      Here you go

    • @idiomaxiom
      @idiomaxiom Рік тому +26

      It establishes what the film will be about... long af info dump with lore to your eyeballs. Perfect.

    • @Akash-jz2vf
      @Akash-jz2vf Рік тому +2

      Godfather opening is so good I watched it like 20 times before I got the time to actually see the whole movie.

    • @OK-fi4yq
      @OK-fi4yq Рік тому +1

      so does transformers, doesnt make it good

  • @gracielkelly9645
    @gracielkelly9645 5 років тому +2691

    The saddest part about Logan and it's lack of appeal is that people have been so diluted with quick peppy Marvel movies that when a proper story with dark themes and a developing plot is released it's "too slow" or "too serious"

    • @ihateusernamesgrrr
      @ihateusernamesgrrr 5 років тому +47

      That's not true otherwise every Tarantino movie would be labeled as such... Logan was just a shit movie period, it's fine that we disagree on this fact but it's not fine that you make the assumption that just because the viewer sees a movie for the pile of dig shit that it is that this must be because of one very generalised observation in the industry... the marvel series mostly is great because of the fact they are fast paced and funny entertainment. Tarantino movies are mostly great because of the fact they are slow and he takes his time to create suspense where ever he can... these are 2 very different styles made for 2 very different audiences that I happen to be a part of. Logan is a bad movie not for one singular reason but multiple but like all art industries movies are individualistic so your assumptions based on bias will always be wrong

    • @Grunt_007
      @Grunt_007 5 років тому +249

      @@ihateusernamesgrrr Then what are those multiple reasons for Logan being a"pile of dogshit". I understand that you can dislike the story itself, maybe it doesn't appeal to you, the genre could be nit your favourite, same for some creative elements etc., But for a movie to be ''a shit movie'' there must be quite some obvious flaws with it, flaws which even fans of the genre and people who like the story can't deny.
      So if you want any credibility claiming a movie is shit, you should at least point some flaws out, when many people see said movie as good or even great.

    • @MortalWombat4480
      @MortalWombat4480 5 років тому +6

      Grunt_007 ok no you don’t. A fan doesn’t need to agree with me about reasons why a movie is shit.

    • @ihateusernamesgrrr
      @ihateusernamesgrrr 5 років тому +3

      @@MortalWombat4480 I'm with you 100%

    • @Grunt_007
      @Grunt_007 5 років тому +172

      @@MortalWombat4480 What are you even trying to say?
      That you don't need a movies fanbase behind you?
      Obviously not.
      I haven't even seen Logan, and I'm not planning on doing so in the near future either.
      But if you decide to critique a movie, you should at least try and make some points. How fucking worthless is your opinion if you can't even begin explaining why it is your opinion?

  • @TimTamSlam7
    @TimTamSlam7 5 років тому +340

    What you really should have said is,
    “If a scene serves no purpose at the time, it should be omitted.”
    This includes it’s purpose on audience reaction, story integration, character development, emotional impact etc

    • @joaoleites94
      @joaoleites94 4 роки тому +8

      Master the rules before you break them

  • @Ghues
    @Ghues 6 років тому +263

    The Dark Knight's opening is still my all-time favourite, it was incredible to experience on the big screen.

    • @Chuked
      @Chuked 5 років тому +6

      Mizumono Lucky you

    • @centpushups
      @centpushups 5 років тому +2

      That window glass break shook me to the core in the theater.

    • @voldemortthenoselessfreak2126
      @voldemortthenoselessfreak2126 5 років тому

      Also very detailed

    • @Anubis-xk4ht
      @Anubis-xk4ht 4 роки тому +1

      @@centpushups it was a rip off of point break

    • @nguyen-vuluu3150
      @nguyen-vuluu3150 4 роки тому +1

      @@Anubis-xk4ht U can't deny that it isn't good, though.

  • @slothy710
    @slothy710 Рік тому +51

    Inglorious Basterds opening scene will always be the one that sticks out to me as “perfect” … The suspense is like no other and it establishes the character “Hans Landa” in so much detail, all compacted in to a singular opening scene

  • @Werrf1
    @Werrf1 4 роки тому +362

    The important thing about rules isn't that they must always be followed without exception.
    The important thing about rules is knowing _why_ they're there, and when you can (and should) break them.

    • @Werrf1
      @Werrf1 3 роки тому +18

      @PrestonTheLord I mean...if you can't tell the difference between rules and laws, and you're getting your moral guidance from a UA-cam comment...go for it? You'll probably be safer in prison anyway.

    • @Werrf1
      @Werrf1 3 роки тому +11

      @PrestonTheLord Backatcha.

    • @rataflechera
      @rataflechera 2 роки тому

      @Preston but first you should know why and when rob that bank.

    • @cypher1133
      @cypher1133 Рік тому

      ​​@@Werrf1 that's interesting pov, take Loki series for example, at the end the rule was kinda you can't kill he who remains, they also explained why, and that's what made it interesting, why the rules are there and why shouldn't they be broken

  • @DuncanSmith
    @DuncanSmith 6 років тому +4225

    Interesting how the thumbnail promised one perfect opening to a movie in the Dark Knight but then you smashed our expectations with the intro from Logan being the best ever 👊🏻

    • @diegomclane6027
      @diegomclane6027 6 років тому +76

      Dude, spoiler alert

    • @DuncanSmith
      @DuncanSmith 6 років тому +19

      Diego Mc Lane 😂 my bad 😂

    • @Exel3nce
      @Exel3nce 6 років тому +57

      Oh cmon, Spoiler for something like this? So sensetive....

    • @bradyrieger
      @bradyrieger 6 років тому +17

      Clickbait more like. I think Dark Knight was chosen because it’s a very popular film.

    • @TheCloserLook
      @TheCloserLook  6 років тому +140

      @@bradyrieger No, I actually was about to use a thumbnail for Indiana holding the gold idol but I went with the Joker's mask, I nearly went for the former however didn't for no other reason than the joker one looks quite visually interesting, I wouldn't call it click bait when it directly relates to a film I talk about in the video.

  • @gamingtime305
    @gamingtime305 5 років тому +678

    Super late, but The Dark Knight’s opening actually sets up the plot. I forgot how, but he’s robbing from a mob bank.

    • @rianmacdonald9454
      @rianmacdonald9454 3 роки тому +70

      love the scene where he burnt all them money. laughed so hard at that.

    • @muchanadziko6378
      @muchanadziko6378 3 роки тому +42

      Dark knight rises same
      he kidnaps the professor who can arm and disarm the bomb

    • @aaronseet2738
      @aaronseet2738 2 роки тому +7

      @@rianmacdonald9454 "some men just want to watch the world burn."

    • @rianmacdonald9454
      @rianmacdonald9454 2 роки тому

      @@aaronseet2738 yep I sure do.

    • @RCAvhstape
      @RCAvhstape 2 роки тому +4

      @@rianmacdonald9454 He told them not to worry, he was only burning his half.

  • @Werewolf914
    @Werewolf914 6 років тому +928

    Everytime I hear the word 'narration' I immediately hear the CinemaSins *ding* sound effect.

  • @kinnundo6434
    @kinnundo6434 6 років тому +2494

    well, according to cinemasins, you can't have logos, reading, or narration.

    • @TheCloserLook
      @TheCloserLook  6 років тому +750

      Well I definitely disagree with that narration part. I said in this video that narration can be lazy, emphasis being on the word 'can'.
      Look at the opening to lord of the rings. That is narration, yet still it is quite gripping and as an opening does a great job. It is a beautifully written monologue.
      I don't dislike Cinemasins but they give off this sense that there are strict rules to what makes a film good or bad, in that respect I entirely disagree with them.

    • @kinnundo6434
      @kinnundo6434 6 років тому +164

      @@TheCloserLook I completely agree. Personally, I love a lot of narration, my favourite is probably the Deathly Hallows intro. "These are dark times, there is no denying...".
      I think that a lot of sins they do, they only include because they kind of have to now. It's part of their brand.
      What I do agree with is the logos thing. Seeing half a dozen obnoxious corporation logos can be annoying, especially when I just want to see an awesome film! The only one I will accept is the MCU, because it's essentially an OP for a TV show.

    • @hephaestus9901
      @hephaestus9901 6 років тому +143

      @@TheCloserLook i have to disagree with you cinemasins is trend surfing garbage

    • @arenkai
      @arenkai 6 років тому +247

      CinemaSins is a joke, litterally.
      That's not an insult, it just pains me to see people on either side of the debate taking those videos seriously.

    • @kinnundo6434
      @kinnundo6434 6 років тому +19

      arenkai then explain all the times they make genuine criticisms to the film. Or the times that they just make a statement that isn’t a joke at all, and isn’t a criticism either.

  • @homefront1999
    @homefront1999 5 років тому +285

    Man, Lord of War was a great movie. It shows that serious Nicolas Cage can be a great serious actor.

    • @anunusualironiccircumstanc2246
      @anunusualironiccircumstanc2246 5 років тому +29

      Isaiah Belter Lord of war
      Raising Arizona
      Mandy
      Matchstick men
      National treasure 1 & 2
      Leaving Las Vegas
      Joe
      Kick ass
      Bad lieutenant
      World trade centre
      The weather man
      Adaption
      8mm
      City of angels
      The rock
      Wild at heart
      He really is a good actor....

    • @justanothergrunt9053
      @justanothergrunt9053 4 роки тому +2

      CJ Russ people sleep on Matchstick Men.

    • @petery6432
      @petery6432 3 роки тому +8

      @@anunusualironiccircumstanc2246 And Into the Spiderverse. He was awesome in that movie.

    • @anunusualironiccircumstanc2246
      @anunusualironiccircumstanc2246 3 роки тому +6

      @@petery6432 yeah he was great as Spider-Man Noir

  • @TheYamsinacan
    @TheYamsinacan 2 роки тому +59

    It's actually kind of brilliant how you explain the openings of the Dark Knight Trilogy. Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises focus on how the villain challenges Batman, and the openings focus on those villains while ignoring anything about Batman. Why do they ignore Batman? Well, because the audience knows who he's is, AND Nolan already did an intro completely focusing on the character of Batman in the first one!

  • @Nova-sama420
    @Nova-sama420 6 років тому +1317

    Step One : get Hans Zimmer to do the soundtrack.
    Step Two : Profit

    • @danieldosso2455
      @danieldosso2455 6 років тому +4

      So why hasn't Disney hired Hans Zimmer?

    • @weasle2904
      @weasle2904 6 років тому +82

      @@danieldosso2455 Because they're dumb

    • @himadribhakta7948
      @himadribhakta7948 6 років тому +4

      Jonny Greenwood's better

    • @BenceQurie
      @BenceQurie 6 років тому +2

      Barman vs Superman?

    • @toxicwall6593
      @toxicwall6593 6 років тому +9

      @@BenceQurie It still got profit tho

  • @icantthinkofausername2605
    @icantthinkofausername2605 6 років тому +851

    A good example of the "No information dumps rule"
    Spiderman: Into the spideyverse
    "I'm peter parker..." because it steps up a theme for the film

    • @naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789
      @naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789 5 років тому +15

      You should watch real movies and not the hype trash that is ruining the industry

    • @icantthinkofausername2605
      @icantthinkofausername2605 5 років тому +204

      @@naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789
      What the hell is your point?

    • @pseudonymousbeing987
      @pseudonymousbeing987 5 років тому +224

      @@naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789
      Yeah exactly, who h is why Spiderman into the spider verse was so good. it was an extremely inventive, witty, fantastically aesthetically unique and overall beautiful visually stunning movie. It wasn't hyped, it was left by the wayside and not particularly big, not at all.

    • @crackrocklighter
      @crackrocklighter 5 років тому +63

      Natural all natural White pistachio nut into the spider verse was really good

    • @naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789
      @naturalallnaturalwhitepist1789 5 років тому +8

      What I’m saying is that trash marvel type movies are ruining the industry, there well made (intentionally to hold attention) and fun to watch but are just money makers, real goof movies are dying out accept from the few indies that pull through.

  • @Erik-qy9gb
    @Erik-qy9gb 6 років тому +358

    mob leader: you think you can just steal our money and then walk away.
    Joker: yea

  • @daehkcid9996
    @daehkcid9996 4 роки тому +52

    I gotta say the opening for Scream is one of the best in horror. It tells us everything we need to know about Ghostface, tells us that the characters in this movie know about horror movies and their cliches, and is just a great display of tension building and pay off without using a crappy jumpscare or anything like that

  • @hampusberggren562
    @hampusberggren562 5 років тому +1036

    "The code is more like guidelines than actual rules"
    If you know you know

  • @creeper5051
    @creeper5051 5 років тому +206

    The opening to Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
    Brilliant.

    • @enman009
      @enman009 5 років тому +7

      Absolute excellent example of introducing tone and stakes.

    • @Chuked
      @Chuked 5 років тому +1

      Enmanuel Tejada Asencio less stakes more tone

    • @southlondon86
      @southlondon86 4 роки тому

      One of my top 3 movies of all time. T2 was and is incredible. If you’re going to open a movie that’s the way to do it! Note the symbolism of the burning playground during the opening credits - what is at stake is conveyed without using a word.

  • @creepycustard2383
    @creepycustard2383 5 років тому +46

    I adore the opening of Coraline. It’s so unique and captivating, and it serves no purpose but to convey the tone and supernatural elements of the film. it’s just beautiful.

    • @delphoxgaming3798
      @delphoxgaming3798 4 роки тому

      Can't believe this comments been year for over a year and I'm the first like when this comment is so true!

    • @Brook_55
      @Brook_55 2 роки тому

      Can't believe it's been out for two years and I'm the 2nd reply and the 15th like....this is very very true

  • @ashpettigrew2110
    @ashpettigrew2110 Рік тому +19

    The opening to The Last of Us tv show, I think, is really good. It perfectly sets the chilling tone of dread and introduces newcomers to the idea behind the show but not in a boring way

  • @finebowgames
    @finebowgames 5 років тому +159

    "The opening to the movie Logan is perfect"
    no, this entire movie is perfect...

    • @HyakuJuu01300
      @HyakuJuu01300 3 роки тому +12

      @Alvi Syahri The ending was more the thematic rather than a spectacle.
      Having watched all those superhero movies for the last decade and a bit, one would expect Logan to take the super-serum and kill his evil clone in a glorious fashion but the movie goes into the direct opposite way. They let his evil clone fatally wound him and eventually kill him in a not-so incredible way.
      Symbolizing Logan's long years of inflicting violence and suffering onto others finally catching up to him and him not being able outrun his horrible past and find peace in his homeland. He even dies just right outside of the border further driving the idea home.
      But even still, his sacrifice doesn't go in vain as in the end he helps those poor children find protection and shelter in Canada. The place which he could never reach, the place he always has yearned for.

  • @sideswipebl
    @sideswipebl 5 років тому +519

    In my opinion this video should've started at 0:28. Asking the question that the title already asks is redundant.

    • @lordslamzer1403
      @lordslamzer1403 5 років тому +8

      that's good

    • @bpansky
      @bpansky 5 років тому +13

      woah you're right! That would have been great XD

    • @kaelkommers6631
      @kaelkommers6631 5 років тому +16

      This is the best comment on this video

    • @mordakai6969
      @mordakai6969 5 років тому +15

      It comes more like an intro, an appetizer to keep u staying for the end, but tbh 28 sec is better than the 5 mins that other channels do

    • @goldeneddie
      @goldeneddie 4 роки тому +5

      Don't presume that everyone can see. Some are only able to listen. Repeating the title as an intro takes only a few seconds and is more inclusive.

  • @gatonaranja2258
    @gatonaranja2258 4 роки тому +205

    The opening to Scorcese's "The Wolf of Wall Street" was also pretty good in my opinion. It was fun, crazy, and was a good warm up that prepared the audience for the hilarious vulgar depravity that followed throughout the rest of the movie. It set us up, clearly telling us, "Attnetion viewers: please power off your brain, and enjoy your acid trip."

  • @the_venomous_viper1234
    @the_venomous_viper1234 4 роки тому +4

    Man, A Clockwork Orange has to be the best - that music is unrivalled by anything I’ve ever heard before, Malcom McDowell’s alluring stare, the 90 seconds slow zoom out, the imagery, it sets up the character of Alex so perfectly even before his first lines

  • @smallbeanmusic2187
    @smallbeanmusic2187 5 років тому +181

    A great way to open a movie :
    Mr blue sky playing over a fight scene

    • @BollywoodBonanzaB
      @BollywoodBonanzaB 5 років тому +5

      Mr Blue Sky near the opening of a story just reminds me of That One Doctor Who Tenth Doctor Episode.

    • @ColinFox
      @ColinFox 4 роки тому +4

      @@BollywoodBonanzaB Mr Blue Sky was the background track to the opening fight of Guardians of the Galaxy II -- I suspect this is what he was alluding to.

    • @TheAlmightyChavid
      @TheAlmightyChavid 4 роки тому

      Small bean music just please stop

  • @acciprovus3614
    @acciprovus3614 6 років тому +19

    “I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human being.”
    I still think Stand By Me has the greatest opening scene of any movie. It grabs your attention while also setting up the centerpiece of the entire movie. With the seriousness and gravity of that one line he is telling the audience, “this is a major point in my life. So sit down, this is a long story”

  • @JustinY.
    @JustinY. 6 років тому +385

    Awesome! Cya in two months!

  • @szasza3273
    @szasza3273 4 роки тому +44

    I really like the scene where Indiana Jones writes on the blackboard and counts the lines in his writing. He's not really good at writing but has found a way to solve this problem. He's a little clumsy like in many scenes after, but always finds a way to master the situation - a really good setup for his character.

  • @Spartan11117777
    @Spartan11117777 6 років тому +195

    I honestly thought that Avengers Infinity War was gonna have a Joker-type of Opening where Thanos, the Black Order and his Chitauri Army are storming Planet Xandar in order to take the Power Stone from the Nova Corp then he was gonna blow the whole Planet up or cover it in the Power Stone's supreme purple destructive energy leaving the Planet in ruins and headed off for Thor, Loki, Hulk, Heimdall, and the rest of the Asgardians...but I can see now that while epic in the imagination, it wouldn't really matter in the overall Story since it's more about Thanos collecting the other 5 Infinity Stones, especially the Soul Stone.

    • @raddynasty1205
      @raddynasty1205 5 років тому +3

      I heard that's what happens in endgam,but the avengers will try to stop him before he gets the first stone...It's just leaked rumor

  • @NelsonStJames
    @NelsonStJames 5 років тому +159

    Funny how no one in the comments mentioned how the Bond franchise has been doing what has been called a "pre-title" scene for decades starting with From Russia With Love in 1963.

    • @rickewilde
      @rickewilde 5 років тому +10

      You are exsctly right.I was about to say the same thing while scrolling through the comments.the opening Bond sequences are brilliant at capturing the audience attention.

    • @ErwinPommel
      @ErwinPommel 5 років тому +15

      Pissed me off so much when he mentioned Kingsman but not Bond. Like wtf?!

    • @_Braised
      @_Braised 5 років тому +6

      @@ErwinPommel Right? It's like he'd never even heard of the series. It's been giving textbook examples for over 50 years!

    • @dagfinissocool
      @dagfinissocool 4 роки тому

      Except in Goldeneye where the opening scene is crucial to the plot of the entire movie.

    • @ioankibble8866
      @ioankibble8866 4 роки тому

      @@dagfinissocool it usually is crucial

  • @Evan-nx9ng
    @Evan-nx9ng 6 років тому +1210

    The Closer Look grew up starting a movie

    • @technicallystupid25
      @technicallystupid25 6 років тому +11

      Wrong channel ;)

    • @Evan-nx9ng
      @Evan-nx9ng 6 років тому +25

      @@technicallystupid25 tell that to Zod's snapped neck

    • @Alphajet101
      @Alphajet101 6 років тому +3

      I hate that im the only one who dosen't understand this :(

    • @thebestbestian
      @thebestbestian 6 років тому +6

      C'mon, please. It's horrible enough that Chis' channel is flooded with these awful comments.

    • @alichawro2048
      @alichawro2048 6 років тому

      Just ignore him hes a troll

  • @nickmahyr870
    @nickmahyr870 4 роки тому +20

    The best thing about the opening scene of The Dark Knight Rises is how the story is started within the first few seconds after Bane appears. It might be more like foreshadowing, but when Bane leaves an unknown body and performs a blood transfusion from Dr. Pavel to the corpse. It’s only until later in the film we see the need for the world to assume that Dr. Pavel is dead.

  • @majorleaguelag
    @majorleaguelag 4 роки тому +78

    I love all of the beginnings to Quentin Tarantino’s films, like from pulp fiction, inglorious bastards, django

    • @clappedcircle5301
      @clappedcircle5301 3 роки тому +15

      FRRR like the opening scene to inglorious basterds was horribly charming

  • @mariapazgonzalezlesme
    @mariapazgonzalezlesme 6 років тому +722

    So basically, an good movie opening is about giving an straight foward theme about what is going within the story. Or tricking the audience, that is the "beginning" and show the plot twist that is the end.

    • @Mananpicar
      @Mananpicar 6 років тому +19

      almost, that last part i believe was a bit off.
      The point of starting a story with it's end is much trickier than that. You have to create a scene that takes on different meanings in the beginning and in the end of the movie.
      For that to work you have to have a somewhat misleading theme, one that seems like it's obviously one thing at first but it turns out to be another thing, basically what i mean is you have to create a scene that works as a good opening and establishes this theme and then spend the rest of the movie twisting this theme slowly to show you that it isn't actually the obvious theme you thought it was but something a bit different so when you get to the ending you see it in a different way and what is exactly the same scene feels like two completely different scenes. To clarify the theme in general is the same, but just a little different.
      I think the best example of this is without a doubt Gone Girl that takes this idea to the extreme(spoilers of course):
      In the opening it tells you the theme, it's gonna talk about marriage and relationships and more specifically about the relationship between these 2 people and this movie, in my opinion, does something even more brilliant than most movies that have this structure, because at first viewing that scene seems odd why would he say that? it's not something you usually say.
      So when you find out she's missing something clicks in your brain and you immediately suspect him and whatever suspicions you may have of "other things" going on in that opening get shattered. And in my opinion it also does this amazing thing of making you forget the scene was ever there, you saw the scene it made you feel weird but then it clicked later on so you forget all about it, since now it seems quite irrelevant to the movie.
      So when the twist does come you still don't remember that scene in particular. So finnally when the ending scene comes it hits you with a bang, and only then do you truly appreciate what a great opening that movie has.
      And this examplifies perfectly what i was talking about earlier with the slightly different theme, in the begining of the movie you think it's a movie about a relationship between 2 people, but a somewhat "normal relationship", as the movie goes on you start to realize that they're relationship isn't normal at all and altought the theme is still around relationships, it's handled in a completely different manner than the opening indicated it would be. So i guess in the end it's not the theme that changes but the way that that theme is handled.

    • @TheCloserLook
      @TheCloserLook  6 років тому +53

      Well a good movie opening, to summarise it into some points.
      1. Needs to be entertaining
      2. Needs to establish elements of the story e.g. characters, themes, plot elements etc
      And that's most of it. I mean if you can pull off those two things you will have a good opening :)

    • @Kyizen
      @Kyizen 6 років тому +12

      @@TheCloserLook Great video, it's funny cause I watch CinemaSins and his number #1 and #2 sins during the opening are Narration and Exposition. Every example you gave us story, themes, characters by showing it us not spelling it out and telling us.

    • @Enpamonhado
      @Enpamonhado 6 років тому +3

      @@TheCloserLook Heat opening is a good example

    • @loganmoseley
      @loganmoseley 6 років тому

      @@TheCloserLook Sounds like an overture.

  • @q7ozi
    @q7ozi 6 років тому +1743

    my dream is to be a film writer and director and I live in Turkey and Turkish movies are really horrible so I won't have much competition. Even if I make an OK movie I'll probably be famous. 👍

    • @myvanwycalista3387
      @myvanwycalista3387 6 років тому +212

      Yo good luck man.

    • @q7ozi
      @q7ozi 6 років тому +103

      @@myvanwycalista3387 thanks, good luck with your goals too

    • @Th3VirtualGam3r
      @Th3VirtualGam3r 6 років тому +41

      Good luck brother!

    • @porrasm
      @porrasm 6 років тому +88

      ozan demirel Be sure to remind me when your film is ready. I'll come to Turkey to see it.

    • @musekek3935
      @musekek3935 6 років тому +18

      ozan demirel let us know when it’s done! I wanna see it!

  • @Monsux
    @Monsux Рік тому +2

    IT 2017 has one of the best opening movie scenes I know. A story between two brothers + the paper boat scene at the end. Great 5 min intro with beautiful music/camera work.

  • @silphaer5353
    @silphaer5353 6 років тому +37

    Fun fact: The opening music to the Shining is a plainchant called "Dies Irae". It's one of the most common motifs in all of music. Classical composers used it all the time and there's no shortage of it in film music either. Certainly chilling and probably the perfect choice for the shots at the beginning of the Shining.

  • @Eruerucamicaminono
    @Eruerucamicaminono 5 років тому +184

    Why is it that when you're talking about a "terrible intro", you're flashing Django: Unchained?

    • @gantzllat
      @gantzllat 4 роки тому +66

      Right? That's a hell of an intro. It introduces the setting, character and tone of the movie flawlessly

    • @krat2242
      @krat2242 4 роки тому +18

      I think the big segment around there was showcasing good intros as a thing to compare to when he would say its missing ____ . and then be showing the missing thing in that intro...
      this is at least my feelings at that point in the vid.
      not sure he was trash talking the film he was showcasing.

  • @Unnatural09
    @Unnatural09 6 років тому +215

    Maybe it's because I'm in my 30s but my favourite channels are now video essays

    • @johnSmith-tl5gv
      @johnSmith-tl5gv 6 років тому +24

      Unnatural09 nope I'm 16, been into this channel genre since 13 and will stay far past 30, and I suspect you will too :)

    • @Unnatural09
      @Unnatural09 6 років тому +1

      john Smith your right

    • @lovemazegcf970
      @lovemazegcf970 6 років тому +7

      i'm a 15 year old girl but channels like these are some of my favourites on yt, maybe i'm an old soul

    • @depprida988
      @depprida988 6 років тому

      Yesssss I just turned 30 and I’m finding myself enjoying them

    • @mr.lawson5753
      @mr.lawson5753 6 років тому +3

      @@lovemazegcf970 UA-cam is full of click bait money hungry you tubers, seeing good content like this refreshes my soul.

  • @markreynolds1436
    @markreynolds1436 4 роки тому +38

    How James Bond films didn't get a mention I don't know. They're renowned for their opening scenes.

    • @joshjohnston5994
      @joshjohnston5994 3 роки тому +7

      Skyfall. The shadow walking down the hallway. Thrilling music. Slowly unveils bond. Right to the action. Sets up the plot by having an agent down and a hard drive gone. Fucking insane opening man

  • @jenwill717
    @jenwill717 6 років тому +847

    Baby Driver's opening scene is still my favorite.

    • @DuBstep115
      @DuBstep115 6 років тому +52

      Drive > baby driver

    • @crazed_snow_gamers2364
      @crazed_snow_gamers2364 6 років тому +20

      @@DuBstep115 Drive is a very underrated movie. I personally think both movies are great and both had amazing openings. Drive shows you exactly how the movie is going to be, it has bright colors and a lot of great music while we watch as the characters make their escape. On the other hand Baby Driver shows us a fast paced chase scene and sets up the tone to be a lot more energetic.

    • @DuBstep115
      @DuBstep115 6 років тому +12

      @@crazed_snow_gamers2364 And in drive we see Oscar level acting performances and down to earth scenes with realism plus amazing soundtrack. Story has more than meets the eyes and ambiguous ending.
      Baby driver we get pg13 fast and furious. Horrible action and lots of cliche

    • @crazed_snow_gamers2364
      @crazed_snow_gamers2364 6 років тому +19

      @@DuBstep115 It was meant as a fun fast paced movie, it took a lot more of a style over substance approach. I think it worked pretty well and got its job of entertaining me done. But i guess just being stylish isn't enough for everyone and that's fine.

    • @DuBstep115
      @DuBstep115 6 років тому +5

      @@crazed_snow_gamers2364 Style? Apart from intro its pretty bland heist movie

  • @rahmanhi
    @rahmanhi 5 років тому +58

    Expected pulp fiction to be there. IMO your perfect example, logan, requires viewers to have knowledge about previous movies on that subject to make sense, whereas something like pulp fiction, not only engage you with the movie and tells you a lot in few first sentences, it is absolutely not redundant and at the end of movie the story will go back to that scene.

  • @22dallas1
    @22dallas1 4 роки тому +274

    Can we please talk about the movie that had the greatest opening scene ever
    Killer bean

    • @jmauldagoat8470
      @jmauldagoat8470 3 роки тому +12

      Turn down your music!

    • @duckaroo5763
      @duckaroo5763 3 роки тому +3

      amen brotha

    • @comradejosephstalinoftheus8698
      @comradejosephstalinoftheus8698 3 роки тому +11

      "Do you know who I am?"
      "Do you know who my uncle is?!"
      "Yes"
      *shoots him anyway.
      I love Killer Bean so much.

    • @Breakaway-ic5gj
      @Breakaway-ic5gj 3 роки тому +6

      Did show Killer Bean's personality and the best dance scene I've seen in my life so 11/10

    • @gotsomham
      @gotsomham 2 роки тому

      Well, it does follow all the rules mentioned in the video

  • @calebmcurby8580
    @calebmcurby8580 2 роки тому +11

    Closer Look never says it in these exact words, but I think the best description of what he's talking about can be summed up with two points: A good opening to a story *sets the tone* and *establishes theme.* You could make whole essays on those two things separately, but I think that's the best summary.

  • @SG98Films
    @SG98Films 6 років тому +686

    This may sound cliché but the opening to Avengers Infinity War is brilliant. So many Marvel movies with jokes and laughs have been released that we almost take it for granted. But as soon as we see the Marvel title be almost completely silent with a chilly soundtrack...we knew they weren't fuckin around this time

    • @andyparker5688
      @andyparker5688 6 років тому +86

      How does that sound cliche'? That opening scene was uniquely brilliant and, of course, VERY CHILLING!

    • @danielnepveux97E
      @danielnepveux97E 6 років тому +10

      Damn straight sg98films

    • @Pikashades
      @Pikashades 5 років тому +8

      Thanks for giving me more and more reasons to never watch that movie and keep pretending it never happened.

    • @andyparker5688
      @andyparker5688 5 років тому +50

      @@Pikashades We're not talking about Justice League.

    • @Pikashades
      @Pikashades 5 років тому +5

      @@andyparker5688 there is no Justice League movie, only Josstice League.

  • @LikelyXboy08
    @LikelyXboy08 4 роки тому +21

    I love how when it says "Sponsored by Skillshare," it has Neo giving the middle finger.

  • @TommysZombie96
    @TommysZombie96 5 років тому +26

    I love the opening to X-Men 2. Nighcrawler was killing it!

  • @josevonbuergenwader2
    @josevonbuergenwader2 4 роки тому +19

    No Country For Old Men begins with narration and it's great! Mostly because it's used to set tone, not plot.

  • @JaguarBrickFilms
    @JaguarBrickFilms 5 років тому +78

    The very first movie I ever got myself was the Dark Knight.

    • @demonicmind1242
      @demonicmind1242 5 років тому +4

      Our first blue ray movie was Dark Knight and we got new Bose speakers too. Felt so real

    • @bekim7878
      @bekim7878 4 роки тому +1

      It's a truly masterpiece

  • @willpalmer7266
    @willpalmer7266 6 років тому +292

    The closer look: Films with voiceover openings are bad
    A clockwork orange: *exists

    • @TheCloserLook
      @TheCloserLook  6 років тому +94

      Well I wouldn't say the voice over is always bad. If you remember in the video I say many times every rule can be broken. Look at the opening of lord of the rings, it is a voice over and is still very good.

    • @willpalmer7266
      @willpalmer7266 6 років тому +10

      @@TheCloserLook Totally agree with you there, meant it more as a joke as it's probably the most impactful opening I can think of.
      Still an interesting vid tho :)

    • @thomhunt5172
      @thomhunt5172 6 років тому +6

      @@TheCloserLook True, but honestly there are no rules to tell, if every one of them can be broken for the possible promise of better effect. In which case, this should be titled "Guidelines on How To Begin a Movie" since the phrase "How To" almost comes off as a "rule".

    • @mookinbabysealfurmittens
      @mookinbabysealfurmittens 6 років тому

      But OP: what about "Dune"? It was fantastic, and it opens with a long, boring, VO preface of pure exposition, with no attempt to dress it up otherwise. Just VO over images of planets and occasional tight shots of the heterochromic princess (the VO) just telling us about the different planets, houses, some of their driving forces (sand worms, spice, "blue within blue eyes", etc). To be fair, fucking Tolkien would have struggled to keep up with it all, so it kinda helps, but it could be shortened/condensed/trimmed, or done another way. BUT the trope works: finally Princess Exposition seems to conclude her Plot Point presentation, so cue dissolve as she fades away into the black, starry space behind her... just about. A sudden, quick fade-in reveals her again as she says, "Oh, I nearly forgot..." to make one last, but very key, note. Pretty funny. Almost makes it worth it. Then the actual opening scene reveals that what we just watched was a video also being reviewed by the film's protagonist ("My name is a weapon!"). Warning: that preface is even longer in the director's cut, btw, which is totally unnecesary. In spite of that, it's a fantastic picture, love it or hate it -- David Lynch took his name off it, crediting good ol' Alan Smithee (who also 'directed' many good and bad piles, like "Critters 2", iirc. Not bad for a mythical character, killed off like the unicorn in "Legend" [Ridley Scott! Wtf were you thinking?!]) ...but I digress. A lot. All the time.
      Point remains: there is an exception to every rule. Ridley Scott makes breathtaking films like "Blade Runner" and "Alien", but he also made "Legend". Tim Curry is fuckin' fantastic, but he also was in "Legend". And VO over an opening scene is quite often cheap, lame, and lazy (sceenwriting rule #1: show, don't tell) but it can very much work, like with "Dune". I figure it was that "there will be a quiz, so you'd better be taking notes" execution or just a title card saying "PAUSE THE FILM, THEN READ THE BOOK OR HOPE FOR CLIF NOTES".
      Besides, the video OP said himself that he doesn't speak in absolutes. There are always exceptions! Everywhere in life!

    • @mookinbabysealfurmittens
      @mookinbabysealfurmittens 6 років тому +1

      Oh, and "A Clockwork Orange" was shite. A few good scenes, like the modified Ludovico, of course, and the big penis statue beating, but mostly it was a dumb, choppy, avant garde mess of "strange for the sake of strangeness" and huge missed opportunities for TONE, which was all over the place. (Again, pulled off expertly in the Ludovico scene, but otherwise, attemots at tone only "worked" occasionally throughout the film.)

  • @stingraythundercomedy
    @stingraythundercomedy 5 років тому +13

    the opening in the shining shows, how isolated they are, the music expresses creepiness. i think it says it all.

    • @twiceshy9773
      @twiceshy9773 2 роки тому

      It was so damn good The Simpson's spoofed it BRILLIANTLY

  • @microbi0296
    @microbi0296 Рік тому +2

    My favourite beginning of all time is from the 2004 film The Phantom of the Opera. I get goosebumps from when the most dramatic music ever starts and all the cobwebs are blown away, fires ignite and vibrant colours take over the grey of the beginning. Best beginning ever!

  • @wonton4262
    @wonton4262 6 років тому +369

    How to Begin a Movie
    1. Watch The Closer Look

  • @zaptoli
    @zaptoli 6 років тому +889

    Emoji movie is a masterpiece

    • @TheCloserLook
      @TheCloserLook  6 років тому +53

      True, it is a masterpiece. Here is a link to a video I once made on it. Don't tell anyone ;D
      ua-cam.com/video/yyxDpb5QScE/v-deo.html
      Please do not ask me to explain why I made this.

    • @gargoyle9028
      @gargoyle9028 6 років тому +22

      Emoji movie is better than dark knight and pulp fiction

    • @hanniffydinn6019
      @hanniffydinn6019 6 років тому +4

      It's undoubtedly a brilliant idea. One can wonder how big it would be if it was a Pixar made film. Because everyone loves emojis.

    • @djmetaljack2818
      @djmetaljack2818 6 років тому +5

      View all 5646111 replies

    • @megashark1013
      @megashark1013 6 років тому +6

      Of course. God level film right there. Smashes the entire Star Wars franchise.

  • @ArchfiendRai
    @ArchfiendRai 5 років тому +36

    And sometimes the opening is the only good part of the movie.
    I actually felt pretty hyped by Origin: Wolverine's opening. That kind of montage was pretty sweet. And then the rest of the movie happened.

    • @masterpenguin8472
      @masterpenguin8472 5 років тому +1

      Yet despite the film's low quality, people nowadays are actually defending the hell out of it and comparing it favourably to Dark Phoenix, another low-quality X-Men film.

  • @dealman64
    @dealman64 2 роки тому +7

    The opening 15 word-less minutes of There Will Be Blood is mesmerizing and perfect. DDL and PTA are at their peak. Top 10 of all time in my book.

    • @Benennatis
      @Benennatis Рік тому

      But there isn't even any blood

  • @spoonlamp
    @spoonlamp 6 років тому +7

    Really glad to see Logan getting the love it deserves. Outstanding film. And somehow deeply moving.

  • @zentrix4161
    @zentrix4161 5 років тому +5

    Baby driver has an amazing intro as well. Without speaking a single word of dialog, we get introduced to the main character, learn about him, in the first two shots we see the two main themes of the movie. And then we get an amazing chase scene. It’s just fantastic in my opinion

  • @Kritacul
    @Kritacul 5 років тому +163

    The Dark Knight opening scene has to be the greatest in cinema history.

    • @Anubis-xk4ht
      @Anubis-xk4ht 4 роки тому +4

      A rip off of point break not original 🤣

    • @rustyshackleford17
      @rustyshackleford17 4 роки тому +21

      @@Anubis-xk4ht You still remember the Dark Knight scene well over a decade it was released

    • @hckingking
      @hckingking 4 роки тому +26

      @@Anubis-xk4ht he didn't say anything about originality. Every way you can open a film has been done.

    • @bekim7878
      @bekim7878 4 роки тому +1

      I kinda agree

    • @munchenonyou3774
      @munchenonyou3774 4 роки тому +21

      @@Anubis-xk4ht a bank robbery scene doesnt automatically make it a point break ripoff bro

  • @user-ep8ns6hg4q
    @user-ep8ns6hg4q 2 роки тому +9

    It would seem the most important things people forget when introducing characters, is that you are introducing their character as in who they are on the inside, not just their name, we saw the type of person Bane was, not just given a name and an explanation (like they did with the original suicide squad).

  • @happymaskedguy1943
    @happymaskedguy1943 6 років тому +331

    The start of Indiana Jones simply establishes the fact that Indy is an adventurer, who goes abroad in search of treasure. If they only opened with the university, people wouldn’t find it easily believable that a university lecturer could go on such an adventure. The opening establishes that Indy’s true personality is the adventurer, rather than the lecturer.

    • @christianmeyer756
      @christianmeyer756 6 років тому +40

      I watched the video, too.

    • @happymaskedguy1943
      @happymaskedguy1943 6 років тому +3

      C M Except what I said wasn’t in the video. Dick.

    • @sophie777277
      @sophie777277 6 років тому +31

      @@happymaskedguy1943 Except that's literally exactly what he says in the video genius. Check out around 9:08. Try paying attention before you go insulting someone because you're wrong.

    • @happymaskedguy1943
      @happymaskedguy1943 6 років тому +2

      sophie1040 I have watched it, and NO, he does NOT say exactly that. I’ll grant you, the points are very similar, but they differ in that I argue that the opening scene is primarily establishing that Indy is the treasure hunter, and not the Uni lecturer, as introducing the same character without that intro would undermine the audience’s acceptance of the professor going on such outlandish adventures.
      So no, you are fucking wrong too. Go moralise elsewhere. In the meantime, I’ll exercise my right to tell you to go fuck yourself.
      😘

    • @sophie777277
      @sophie777277 6 років тому +14

      @@happymaskedguy1943 Lol you need to calm down dude, it's a fucking UA-cam video we're talking about. Just for fun though:
      Your claim: "introducing the same character without that intro would undermine the audience’s acceptance of the professor going on such outlandish adventures"
      (Read-when the audience is introduced to Indy as a college professor, it is shocking when he then goes on a crazy adventure)
      What the video says: Without seeing the opening scene, the viewer would assume the movie is a thriller or a love story based in the university, and when Indy "goes to Cairo and goes on wacky chases and an action adventure, it would come across as a shock because it was totally different from what the opening promised the movie was about."
      (Read-when the audience is introduced to Indy as a college professor, it is shocking when he then goes on a crazy adventure)
      As you should be able to, but apparently can't, see, the two arguments have, in essence, the same foundational claim: the intro serves to explain to the audience what kind of character Indy is. Thanks for trying though, and have a nice life.

  • @gronskko
    @gronskko 6 років тому +6

    I always felt that the opening scene of 28 Weeks Later was amazing. It sets the mood perfectly for the entire movie. If you were a fan of 28 Days Later, you already knew what the movie was gonna be about, but you would've been tricked in the beginning with a calm scene, later turning into a slaughter. It's really good because the storywriting is just flawless, a man trying to survive despite anything, even abandoning his wife. Good camera shots and totally changing the perspective of the movie for those who are seeing it for the first time. It's just so well done, because it gives a key part of the theme that will later be important in the movie ( despite it being not so good ), and it wraps around nicely in the end. Also, it gives us a better look on how the infected of the movie work, and how humans can act in desperate situations. But maybe that's just my opinion.

  • @jd5726
    @jd5726 4 роки тому +8

    Inglorious Basterds has one of my favorite opening scenes ever

  • @xeraphyx7903
    @xeraphyx7903 2 роки тому +3

    I am a young amatuer currently writing a book from a sleepless night of wild inspiration, and I stumbled upon this video unintentionally (although I have watched your videos before), I am impressed by the in-depth analysis which you provide me, you saved me from writing a terrible tale, thank you, I will be checking out your skillshare now.

  • @signalrod2213
    @signalrod2213 6 років тому +26

    This is the first video you see searching for a movie essay

  • @iceyplayz3388
    @iceyplayz3388 2 роки тому +7

    Back to the Future is my favorite movie of all time. I would say that pretty much every aspect of it is perfect, including the intro.
    The only thing special about it is the clocks, but they foreshadow the events at the end of the movie. Later you see the news lady talking about missing plutonium, which leaves you very curious. Then we see machinery and gadgets such as an automatic toaster, a dog food can opener, and a few other odd things lying around. This establishes that whoever owns the house is an inventor, and is very creative. Now we see the main character, who’s calling to someone called Doc, who we assume is the owner of the place, and “Einstein” who we assume is a dog. He walks in and kicks his skateboard into a yellow box labeled “Plutonium: Handle With Care”, now informing us that this so called “Doc” stole plutonium from Libyans. Now Marty (who’s name we actually don’t know yet) walks up to the amp and starts turning everything up, and playing a destructive power chord that knocks him back and blows up the amp. Now Doc calls him asking for him to bring his camera to the mall at 1:15 AM. After the conversation is over, all the clocks ring 25 minutes slow, we’re informed, as Doc proclaims, “Perfect! My experiment worked! They’re all exactly 25 minutes slow!” Marty is now late for school, which shows that he’s the type of dude to own a watch, but doesn’t pay attention to it. The intro just establishes to much in such a short amount of time. My favorite part of the movie is that there is not a single scene or like if dialogue that doesn’t contribute to the plot of the movie. Everything is perfect.

  • @joelkarlsson9792
    @joelkarlsson9792 6 років тому +438

    That was not swedish it was just a weird mix between norweigen and english

  • @bavedakuse
    @bavedakuse 2 роки тому +2

    Bro!! Thank you for all the effort that you put into making this video.

  • @Alphajet101
    @Alphajet101 6 років тому +57

    Thank you so much for this.
    Im 15 and I've always wanted to invent a new superhero.
    I want to make my own comics.
    I already have 2 heroes which have a resemblance over 2 famous heroes. Sadly, right now its almost Impossible to make another new hero that is totally different.
    But with your videos, you have really helped me a lot on making the story.
    Please never stop what you're doing!
    Thank You!

    • @epichal4883
      @epichal4883 6 років тому +5

      That's the spirit, you have my support.

    • @Alphajet101
      @Alphajet101 6 років тому

      @@edithwallflower Awsome!
      Hey but for real... with all respect PLEASE (if you even mind) I suggest you delete your comment.
      As much as I appreciate it, there ARE a LOT of people that steal Ideas. Harry Potter and Superpowers sounds awsome, but your idea might get stolen.
      Huge lucks to you tho :)

    • @Vimp.y
      @Vimp.y 6 років тому +3

      @@edithwallflower so by Harry Potter like , I assume you mean a school drama adventure and adding superheroes is
      A school filled with potential student superheroes and their adventures through it
      Boku no hero academia jumps out while hearing your idea but hey maybe you wanna shift the focus from the linear "be the best" to the different adventures and struggles type of deal but that's been done too with this idea
      I am not criticizing you just thought u would like to get some feedback

    • @ltrt6975
      @ltrt6975 6 років тому +5

      When having trouble coming up with new ideas for superheroes, look at the one that already exist, the most famous ones, the most underrated ones, the one with wasted potential, the ones with lots of potential, and draw inspiration from them. Remember that there is no true originality as everything is inspired, shaped, and influenced by the things that came before. If you want to be truly original, know that you risk going to some weird, bizarre places. Anyways, best of lucks!

    • @Mosca_Tube
      @Mosca_Tube 6 років тому +1

      Good luck

  • @DelightLovesMovies
    @DelightLovesMovies 5 років тому +13

    The opening to the Empire Strikes back is over the moment Han Solo says "its good bet the empire knows we're here"

  • @danielshults5243
    @danielshults5243 6 років тому +54

    Indiana Jones, The Matrix, and other films that start with action with no context are functionally similar (but arguably more graceful) to beginning your movie partway through and then flashing back. You start with some interesting character, mystery, or action, then cut to something much more mundane. It leaves the audience wondering, "How do we get there from here?" How does that dry archeology professor find himself running from hordes of angry natives? When will this antisocial hacker meet that strange woman who can leap buildings? For viewers, planting the seeds of a few questions is a powerful tool to build engagement.

    • @briannewman9285
      @briannewman9285 6 років тому

      One of the problems of a flashback, maybe the biggest problem of a flashback, is establishing stakes. To simplify, you know the guy doing the flashback isn't going to die in the flashback. Certainly, there are ways around that. Across the Universe avoided that problem brilliantly. But, due to that problem being so significant, flashbacks are not functionally similar to an Indiana Jones beginning.

  • @joescalia5456
    @joescalia5456 Рік тому +3

    I do this when I write my books. The beginning for me is a promise of the premise in some way either with the protagonist or antagonist. Sets the tone and excites the readers 😊

  • @robeyhines8149
    @robeyhines8149 6 років тому +8

    I'd say that the beginning of *It Follows* adheres to most of the points you make about how to start a movie right. It was filled with so much mystery as the terrified girl runs from what appears to be nothing, with those around her being concerned, and then the gruesome end sequence made the audience uneasy wondering what entity could've caused such damage to someone. Something not human that throughout this one-shot style sequence is not seen, even though the girl seems to clearly be running from something no one else can see. This set up the entire premise of the movie amazingly and was essential for building the tone of the suspenseful movie.

  • @PubicGore
    @PubicGore 2 роки тому +63

    The opening of How to Train Your Dragon established both many (but not all) of the musical leitmotifs as well as the characters. It's a really good opening.

    • @Muffinn_Cakes
      @Muffinn_Cakes Рік тому +5

      My sibling can recite the whole beginning of that movie, word for word, from memory. It's just so good lmao

  • @samuelbarber6177
    @samuelbarber6177 3 роки тому +6

    One of my favourite opening scenes comes from the James Bond film Casino Royale. Where we see Bond achieve his 00 Status, telling the story of his first two kills. Great opening, great movie. It sets up: 1) This is a reboot, Bond’s origin. 2) This ain’t your grandad’s Bond. Gone are the days of super-lasers and white cats, to be replaced by cold, hard-edged and gritty violence. No quips, no gadgets, no foreshadowing. Just a brawl in a bathroom and an assassination.

    • @mikepastor.k6233
      @mikepastor.k6233 2 роки тому

      Octopussy' has a great opening for a Bond movie too.

  • @Roccondil
    @Roccondil 2 роки тому +6

    It's interesting, because very often videogames similarly utilize the mini story in their intro hours as well.. They use it to set up the themes of the story and introduce the player to the character. But there's also another reason: because the player may not be familiar with the controls or mechanics of the game, the mini story provides a low-stakes narrative that they can ignore in favor of focusing on learning the controls, and then the main story kicks in once they are able to more fully focus on that element of the game.

  • @jonnybodacious
    @jonnybodacious 2 роки тому +1

    I'm surprised the intro for Up was never mentioned. Those first ten minutes brought all the emotions.

  • @Horror-Man
    @Horror-Man 6 років тому +73

    Most underrated opening to a film ever: Unbreakable.

  • @igotnogems5834
    @igotnogems5834 5 років тому +52

    The closer look: makes movie tutorials
    The Russo brothers: write that down, write that down!!

  • @matsh5633
    @matsh5633 6 років тому +209

    I'm a little sad you didn't mention "Up" or "The lion king", and would like to hear your opinion on those.
    EDIT: Also inglourious basterds but tbh it's overly talked about.

    • @manynukes11
      @manynukes11 6 років тому +12

      One of the best character introductions ever, I'm glad Waltz won an Oscar for that.

    • @pga128
      @pga128 6 років тому

      YES

    • @Chrisratata
      @Chrisratata 6 років тому

      Magnolia’s opening scene would’ve been a perfect example for this video

    • @Chrisratata
      @Chrisratata 6 років тому +1

      Zwenk Wiel definitely a huge risk on Pixar’s part but I think it works. It anchors the film

    • @Chrisratata
      @Chrisratata 6 років тому +2

      @@ELFKNMAPO you can say that the intro is better than the film as a whole (Bryan Singer's XMen also) but saying that it doesnt setup the film is just false. The tone is most definitely different but it literally provides the context for why that man does what he does; just because the rest of the story isnt as interesting doesnt mean that the intro didnt set it up.

  • @thechroniclegamer4285
    @thechroniclegamer4285 2 роки тому +1

    I kinda like it when a movie drops you into something, like a character on a plane or waiting in a line.
    It’s also easier to write it out that way