10 Opening Credit Sequences That Were Better Than The Films That Followed

1. Casino Royale (2006)

The Opening Credit Sequence: We really couldn't discuss title sequences without mentioning the legend that is James Bond, could we? Or rather, the legendary introductions that have lured us back for over fifty years. The formula may not have changed much ( silhouettes of femme fatales, gun barrels pointed directly at the camera, an outline of a man falling into the centre of the screen) and yet Daniel Craig's first outing as Bond threatened to be overshadowed by a couple of minutes of playing cards and roulette wheels. But of course, they're not just any old roulette wheels; they're sniper rifle scopes. And those cards? Bullets! The gambling as weapon motif is a moment of inspired lunacy that works purely because it's James Bond. You wouldn't catch Jason Bourne indulging in a spot of associative imagery, now, would you? Even those slightly stagy fight scenes, in which 'Mad Men'-style suits smash each other into diamonds, are a treat. But the best bit is the part where (and I know it's hardly subtle but please indulge me on this) the cross-hair target replaces the Queen of Hearts' face with, just for a split second, that of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). And I know I'm really pushing it here but Chris Cornell's theme isn't all that bad... The Film: Desperate to kick out the camp and ramp up the body count, Craig's Bond is the story of How The Agent Got His Stripes (or Zeros). Out with the awful one-liners, in with the villains who weep blood. Gone are the world-famous catchphrases ( try and hold back the tears, won't you, when Bond is asked how he'd like his beloved Martini) and instead here's a scene of our hero being stripped naked, tied to a chair and whipped with a length of rope. Director Martin Campbell is certainly not afraid to make a few changes but, with a film that ends half an hour after it was supposed to, perhaps he should've been a bit more ruthless with those scissors.