The five hero entrances that will live forever in cinema history
We all know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but despite this ingrained wisdom, most of us still do. The same applies to films, where first impressions matter greatly. Hero entrances, whether they come right at the start or later in the story, are crucial in setting the tone and capturing the audience’s attention.
We tend to remember those incredible entrances, even if the rest of the film fades from memory. Whether it’s the protagonist heroically striding in or delivering a one-liner that only they could pull off, a great entrance can define a character and set the tone for the entire movie. Conversely, if a hero’s introduction is forgettable or fails to engage, it often spells trouble for the film as a whole.
From lasso-wielding cowboys to strutting girly girls and everything in between, a film’s tone can be set by the entrance of its hero – and that doesn’t mean the character is always heroic, as some of the best entrances come from ambiguous people.
Hero entrances span all genres, too, often with varying effects on the tropes and style of these genres, cementing the films into their chosen category – we know where and when we are. With that being said, here are five of the best hero entrances committed to film, and some might (hopefully) surprise you.
The five greatest hero entrances:
5. The Big Lebowski (Coen brothers, 1998)
One of the most iconic figures in film—or perhaps just a man, because what really makes a hero?—is The Dude from The Big Lebowski. His entrance is as memorable as the character himself. Through the musings of a low-voiced, reflective narrator, we’re introduced to The Dude in a way that maintains his mystique while providing just enough context to keep us from feeling completely adrift.
Jeff Bridges’ legendary character enters the story as he’s buying milk at the supermarket – in his dressing gown and slippers, sunglasses on. He pays for the 69-cent carton with a cheque like it’s the thing to do and then arrives home where chaos ensues, and this all makes a lot of sense for the man that we ultimately know to be The Dude. This would also make a great Halloween costume.
4. Legally Blonde (Robert Luketic, 2001)
One of the most iconic scenes from Legally Blonde is Elle Woods’ video essay when applying for Harvard Law School, but her very first entrance onto the screen is often overlooked. Reese Witherspoon’s iconic bouncy-haired, pink-loving, chihuahua-owning character is spliced with images of her sorority sisters going about their daily business all over the song ‘Perfect Day’.
Elle is seen carrying out superficial activities like brushing her hair, shaving her legs, putting on perfume and talking on the phone to her friends, all while a bejewelled envelope with her name on it is being delivered from person to person. We immediately know this is all about her, and by the time we meet her and she reads the card out loud, letting us know she and boyfriend Warner are the ‘it’ couple, we know exactly who she is – contrasted with the complex character she ultimately turns into.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman, 1975)
Although it’s hard to place Dr Frank-N-Furter as a hero or villain, he definitely has the most memorable entrance in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of course, being a musical, the incomparable Tim Curry makes his iconic entrance in full song, acting and singing ‘Sweet Transvestite’ in the most outlandish and camp way possible, defining the character for decades to come.
Frank-N-Furter shocks and surprises horrifies and delights Brad and Janet all within his first song, and that’s what the film is all about. What’s more, the introduction of the orchestrator of the entire situation they find themselves in comes almost halfway through the film, so his entrance is even more satisfying after we’ve waited so long to meet him.
2. Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007)
In the middle of Edgar Wright’s ‘Three Flavours Cornetto’ trilogy sits Hot Fuzz, a British favourite and one of the director’s best. The stark introduction to protagonist Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) doesn’t leave your brain in a hurry; in fact, it’s one of the most memorable hero entrances of its time.
The detailed description of Angel’s entire career, even down to being stabbed in the hand by a man dressed as Father Christmas, is not only an indication of the humour that runs through the film but of Angel’s attention to detail and compulsion to follow the absolute letter of the law. His entrance makes the rest of the film make sense as we get a feel for how busy he has made himself as he moves away to the small village of Sandford, finding much of the lifestyle much too boring. There are very few films that set up the story this well, and the choice of voiceover, upbeat, almost clownish music, and the fast montage all work together to make it a pretty perfect entrance for Police Constable Nicholas Angel.
1. Easy Rider (Dennis Hopper, 1969)
The iconic road movie that defined a generation, Easy Rider, takes the top spot on this list. Heroes Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper star as Billy and Wyatt, a young, wild, and free duo journeying through America on their legendary chopper motorbikes—for no reason other than because they can. Their entrance encapsulates the film’s entire essence: all-American rebels, adorned with the stars and stripes, standing in stark contrast to the rigid American system of the era, determined to carve out their own path to freedom.
What’s more, it’s just plain cool. The two hop on their choppers, hair in the wind as Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to be Wild’ gets going in the film it was always meant for. It’s one we’ll never forget, and it has already stood the test of time.
