Favorite and Least Favorite OTS?

As always, I apologize if there isn’t a topic on this. I did a search and didn’t find one, but you never know.

I’m curious to know what people feel are their favorite and least favorite opening title sequences in the series. With 23 to pick from, there are obviously going to be a wide array of responses, and I’d love to hear them.

My favorites are: TB, OHMSS, TSWLM, DAD, CR, and SF.
My least favorites are: MR, FYEO, TLD, and LTK.

I don’t hate any of them, or even actively dislike them; I just think those four are rather bland and uninspired.

If I had to pick an absolute favorite, I would pick DAD. Horrible song, but Daniel Kleinman somehow still makes it work brilliantly. SF is in second place.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Favourite : Skyfall, I think Daniel Kleinman really pulled out all his imagination for this one, Absolutely
    love the teeth of the skull becoming headstones and the Blood combining to form a skull {[]
    ( Please EON, never change him again, He's the BEST! " :x

    Least Favourite : QOS, I find it Bland, unimaginitive and Boring. :# ( I think I've been spoiled
    with so many great Daniel Kleinman Titles, that I expected More )
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • PDJamesBondPDJamesBond Posts: 180MI6 Agent
    Thanks for the response, TP.

    It’s funny about the QoS title sequence. So many people bash it but I rather like it. I’m not trying to disrespect your opinion on it at all, but it makes me wonder whether people’s opinions would be difference if they were told Daniel Kleinman did it. I think it’s still creative and innovative and uses a totem of the film (sand/desert) in a clever way, very similar to how Kleinman used oil in his TWINE sequence.

    I find the QoS titles a lot more interesting and imaginative than many of Maurice Binder’s later work, where he was bored and coasting.
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,107MI6 Agent
    Best

    OHMSS: Love the fact we are reminded of Bond's past adventures with scenes from previous films edited into the hourglass and the clocks hands going backwards. all set to John Barry's awesome instrumental theme

    Goldfinger: Very clever to project scenes from the film onto Margaret Nolan's body. I like the FRWL reference too.

    Worst

    Dr No: I don't like the repetitive flashing images in the first half.
    Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"

    " I don't listen to hip hop!"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    If I ever thought you were disrespecting my opinion, there'd be trouble ! ..... Oh, I give you such a dirty look ! :))

    I agree some of the later Binder's were a little " Not as good as they once were " but I can't bring myself to
    really criticise his work ( Although LTK, isn't great ) Although I have the same opinion on QOS. Nothing really
    stands out for me, Bond wandering about pointing his gun, sure there's lots of sand but it....... Just doesn't
    do it for Me. I also feel that It should have gone to Daniel Kleinman ( I guess the director wanted his own team )
    STUPID! Decision, DK is "the Man" {[] Just give him the Job every time. Have I mentioned he's Brilliant, I've
    loved all his titles. -{ If you want great Bond titles call Daniel Kleinman :007)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • PDJamesBondPDJamesBond Posts: 180MI6 Agent
    HeHadLotsofGuts: Great choices! OHMSS is great to begin with and then heightened by Barry's fantastic theme.

    TP: I can see your point about QoS, and I agree that the titles should ALWAYS go to Daniel Kleinman. The man is a genius and everything he has done for the Bond movies is spot on. He better come back for Bond 24! (And 25, 26, etc.)
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    My choice for favorite is a toss up between OHMSS (that score, those iconic images from previous films) and CR (clever use of Craig's image and the playing cards motif set to a terrific, tough-as-nails title song). My least favorite is probably OP because I can't remember a thing about it and the title song puts me to sleep!
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • samurai4114samurai4114 Alberta, CanadaPosts: 129MI6 Agent
    FRWL, GF, OHMSS, TSWLM, CR are probably my top five

    Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only are my two least favourite. Two not very good songs coupled with just bland visuals didn't do anything for me.
  • PDJamesBondPDJamesBond Posts: 180MI6 Agent
    Blackleiter, I agree with you about the OP sequence. It’s very bland and the song is pretty dull. My memory of that sequence is that it’s very pink – pink lighting, pink lettering, pink jewelry. I suppose that might be appropriate, given the title...ahem...

    Samurai: FYEO is probably my least favorite of the whole series. Having the singer actually seen during the sequence just turns it into a music video...and in this case, it’s a horrendous 80s music video.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    What I remember about the OP titles, was when John Barry's name comes up.
    It's over a full bare breasted shot of a young lady wearing a diamond necklace
    held apart by her ( rather lovely) nipples. ;) , if you don't believe me, go check
    It out. :))
    As a teen I used to check out the Bond titles VERY closely, very closely indeed. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AdamOmegaAdamOmega Edmonton, AB, CanadaPosts: 297MI6 Agent
    Best:

    Dr. No - Monty Norman Orchestra "James Bond Theme" juxtaposed against weird & wonderful abstract dots. Could do without the "Three Blind Mice" bit, but a riveting OTS nonetheless.
    From Russia With Love - Opening credits projected on bellydancers. What's not to love? ;)
    Goldfinger - Awesome, classic title sequence & another great opening from Robert Brownjohn.
    OHMSS - Cool "retrospective" OTS compliments some of John Barry's very best work.
    Live and Let Die - Awesome title song, nude women, flaming skulls... I'll never get sick of this one.
    The Spy Who Loved Me - The backflipping James Bond silhouettes are a little distracting, but the OTS cleverly represents the central relationship between James Bond and Anya Amasova. Greatest moment: Roger Moore gracefully tipping over the "tin soldier" silhouettes.
    Casino Royale - Simply wonderful Daniel Kleinman OTS cleverly utilizing "playing card" motifs. Love, love, love the theme song too.

    Worst:

    You Only Live Twice - Nice theme song, but somehow the OTS manages to make even active volcanoes look yawn-inducing.
    Octopussy - Arguably the most forgettable title sequence of the Roger Moore era; recycled Maurice Binder motifs set to one of the most insipid Bond themes imaginable.
    "The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker

    1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
  • MooseWithFleasMooseWithFleas Philadelphia, PAPosts: 753MI6 Agent
    Favorites: MR, TSWLM, FRWL, OHMSS, GE, CR, AVTAK

    Least Favorite: TWINE and DAD just seems unimaginative and repetitive. Still enjoyed them, but when I watch through the title sequences, I find my eyes straying a bit during these two back to back.
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    Favorites: LALD, MR, TSWLM, OP, AVTAK

    Hard to explain why, but they fit each film perfectly and are super cool! :)

    Least Favorites: OHMSS, FYEO, TLD, LTK, and CR.

    OHMSS - Recycling old movie footage doesn't give OHMSS its own identity. Love the instrumental theme though.
    FYEO - Same reasons as comment above about horrendous 80's music video.
    Both Dalton title sequences are boring.
    Casino Royale- Flat-out ugly, bland computer graphics. This is the only one I strongly dislike.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • MooseWithFleasMooseWithFleas Philadelphia, PAPosts: 753MI6 Agent
    I forgot about TLD. That is one of my favorites as well, one of the reasons being the girl who comes out of the martini glass. So cool! -{
  • lueth2048lueth2048 Posts: 120MI6 Agent
    Favorites

    Goldfinger-especially the shot of the golf ball

    Thunderball-I love how the screen goes black for McClory's credit

    OHMSS-the backward clock

    The Man With the Golden Gun-the naked woman stroking the Golden Gun

    Casino Royale-Vesper in the gunsight
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