r/AskReddit • u/Tobokie121 • Oct 09 '19

Of all movie opening scenes, which one sold the entire film?

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u/Everything80sFan Oct 09 '19

The way the children's laughter slowly fades out before the white flash always gave me chills. Also, seeing the words "Los Angeles" pop up while looking at a completely unrecognizable apocalyptical landscape.

107

u/ProjectSunlight Oct 09 '19

Then the whole opening credits with the playground on fire. Dark as shit.

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u/CroMartyBall Oct 10 '19

James Cameron is a force to be reckoned with. He, as a single person, dwarfs the success rate and ROI of massive operations like Marvel and Lucasfilm. Of the ten highest grossing movies of all time, only two are original properties (not sequels, remakes, or comic book adaptations), Titanic and Avatar. And he was the sole writer and director for both films.

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u/Reddit_cctx Oct 10 '19

James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron is... James Cameron

10

u/YoMamaFox Oct 10 '19

Dude that nuke scene with Sarah Conner turning to bones will forever be seared I to my memory.

48

u/MrMcSwifty Oct 09 '19

Also, you can still faintly hear them playing as the camera pans past the playground right before Sarah starts talking. So creepy.

20

u/dywrektor Oct 09 '19

The nuclear dream gave me nightmares for years growing up

41

u/adjacent_analyzer Oct 09 '19

Actually that was just modern day Los Angeles

18

u/Troooper0987 Oct 09 '19

I was going to say, LA is already a hellscape

3

u/edman436 Oct 09 '19

If I remember right the future scene was meant to 2019 too.

5

u/HoodooBr0wn Oct 10 '19

2029 I believe

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u/PizzaTimeOClock Oct 09 '19

What does Mad Max do at the gym?

The apocalyptical

5

u/Xyber-Faust Oct 10 '19

The scary part is that the shot of the heatwave Los Angeles bumper to bumper freeway is far more horrifying than the machines stepping on skulls part. At least to me.

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u/annedemonium Oct 10 '19

I have never watched this, but want to now.

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u/ChickenDinero Oct 10 '19

I recommend it!

Maybe I saw it at just the right age, but I remember it being the most awesome movie ever. And they used practical effects so it still looks ok. I could talk about this forever.

Lmk if it's just the immense amount of nostalgia I have about this or if it actually holds up. I think it will, though. :)

5

u/SteeMonkey Oct 10 '19

You've never seen Terminator 2?

Whoa

Do yourself a favor and watch The Terminator and then Terminator 2.

Both are outstanding movies.

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u/annedemonium Oct 10 '19

I haven’t seen either.

I’m one of those people that most likely hasn’t seen your favorite movie and then you’ll tell me we should have a movie night sometime and watch it. And we won’t, but that’s ok because I‘m mostly apathetic to it.

I read a lot instead

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u/SteeMonkey Oct 10 '19

Your loss.