Movies - TV
The 14 Greatest Opening Scenes In Sci-Fi Movies
By CHRIS HEASMAN
2001: A Space Odyssey
“2001: A Space Odyssey” kicks off with a shot that has since become one of the most recognizable in cinema: a sunrise over Earth, set to Richard Strauss' “Also sprach Zarathustra.” Stanley Kubrick's sunrise introduces that dreadful feeling of cosmic wonder for which the film is so renowned.
Star Wars
From the remarkable VFX to John Williams' timeless score, there's a lot to love about the opening shot in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” but nothing hits you quite like the size of the Star Destroyer. It's impossible to believe that it can get any bigger, and yet it still keeps coming, filling the screen until there's nothing else to see.
The Matrix
Trinity's opening fight with the cops and escape from the agents in “The Matrix” was groundbreaking action choreography. The 360-degree kick is the most famous shot of all, but the scene also has fierce tension, bold use of lighting, eccentric camera angles, and a split diopter effect for a distinctive noir vibe.
Alien
The Nostromo's debut in “Alien” is all the more eerie for the total absence of any cast or dialogue, and the deep rumble of the ship's engines is more than enough to keep audiences on edge. This peek into the labyrinth pays dividends when the alien threat finally emerges and the crew are forced into a fight for survival.
Jurassic Park
In the opening of “Jurassic Park,” when the velociraptor makes an ingenious escape, Muldoon begs his men to shoot the raptor, the gatekeeper's hand slips away, John Williams’ score swells, and the scene becomes a thrilling bout of pandemonium. This climax sets the tone for the next hour of chaos theory.