Every Bond Movie Pre-Title Scene Ranked - Worst To Best

The Pierce Brosnan era of knockout openings begins with a two-man assault on a fortress-like chemical weapons facility. It’s immensely satisfying to see Bond paired with another 00 agent in a real, consequential mission, and this scene delivers.

007 trades pub-related quips with Sean Bean’s 006 as the two infiltrate the Arkhangelsk station to plant explosives, with their camaraderie and professional respect for one another well presented. Bean’s Alec Trevelyan is such an immediately intriguing presence that it’s a shock when he’s “killed” by the dastardly Colonel Ourumov, and that only triggers the ensuing madness.

Faced with dozens of enemy rifles, Bond uses his wits and unequalled survival instincts to set off an avalanche of heavy chemical vats and make his gravity defying escape.

It immediately made a statement that the modern era of James Bond was intent on crafting show-stopping openings worthy of the cinematic franchise. What better way, after all, to raise the curtain on a brand new Bond?

Just try to ignore the dodgy effects as 007 plummets faster than a falling airplane, catching up with it in order to fly to safety.

Best moment: Ourumov’s confidence is high after shooting 006 in the head, sure that Bond “can’t win.” Even he, however, is visibly incredulous at Bond’s gall, as 007 slowly pushes along a volatile chemical barrel to shield him from opposing bullets. Bond can always win.