[15] The Upcoming Adult Presents: 18 Favourite Character Introductions

Getting into a movie is the hardest part about watching a movie I'd say - and it's also the reason why a lot of people (including most of my friends and acquaintances) choose tv shows over the demanding task of watching movies. A good way to escape the "intro trap" is a solid, either very surprising or very cool character introduction. That way, you have the audience's attention right from the beginning and their curiosity for the character and story will shorten the complicated intro phase.

Even I can have problems beginning new movies, especially when I haven't been in the watching-habit for a while, and I have found entertaining introductions - kind of like a cliffhanger at the beginning of a movie - to be especially effective when it comes to really "stepping into" the movie.

Here are some of my favourites...

Jack Sparrow

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

One of the best examples of the surprise factor, playing with our expectations from movie tradition.

Scott Pilgrim

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

This movie uses a lot of comic book effects which immediately grabbed my attention.

Hanna

Hanna

A cool one-liner and a murder would be cool enough for an introduction even if it weren't for the fact that this is a teenage girl.

Borat

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Provocation always works for me.

Hannibal Lecter
Silence of the Lambs
Simple yet very effective: it's all about Hopkins' body-language and intonation.

Aman Mathur

Kal Ho Naa Ho

Aman is introduced - very subtly - as the angel that is going to save the world, slash, Naina's world. It probably would've been too much if it weren't for the wonderful Shah Rukh.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette

Provocation again, with the Queen of France bathing in cake to the sound of a rock'n'roll song that didn't even exist in her time.

Dolores/ Lolita

Lolita

You can see the whole movie in this one little clip - yet you want to continue watching it. That's pretty awesome.

Il Padrino

The Godfather

Gangster coolness at its very best - and yes, this movie is a very bad role model. Even I considered joining the NYC mafia after this.

Alma

Turn Me On, Dammit

Something I've never seen in a movie before, mixing discomfort and provocation. A triumph, in a way.

Tyler Durden

Fight Club

May I present to you, ladies and gentlemen: Coolness.

Satine

Moulin Rouge

Spectacular, spectacular!

Dr. Frank 'n' Furter

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I have never before been in love with a character so much, and a lot of that is due to this introduction. This is style.

Alex

A Clockwork Orange

That stare is going to both kill you and after that revitalize you.

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump

It's a cliche, but this is still one of my favourite mottos of all time.

Juno

Juno

The way she just walks along the road with that juice bottle in her hand sets the tone for this fluffy little comedy - and leaves you enough time to wonder where she might be heading.

Ajay Chauvan (I know, it's basically Ajay Devgan)

Gundaraj

Yep, this is what was cool in the 90s Bollywood universe - and I love it!

Will Freeman

About a Boy

Nonchalant and charming, while somehow down-to-earth - this certainly makes you want to see more of Will.

What introductions did I miss, any suggestions?