Overall, how would you rate the London 2012 opening ceremony?

[sarflonlad]

To have enjoyed this, you had to let yourself become absorbed into the whimsical world of Danny Boyle.

London was on a budget and had no political interference. It made MPs 'tweet' in anger. It opened by reminding us of the long past upheaval from the industrial revolution where everyone left the country to live in the cities to women fighting for the right to vote.

Beijing was spectacular and made us see what you can do with a lot of money and state control. It ignored the fact hundreds of millions of its citizens live through the chaotic upheaval of a revolution where everyone is leaving the country to live in cities. In China, no one votes.

The whole thing was a total shift compared to anything done before. No pomp. No grandeur. It was very raw, and very refreshing. It was about Britain and it did not pander to please the world - but instead show the world what a once pivotally influential nation now feels about itself. Maybe other nations don't understand the relevance of showcasing things like NHS - but that's the point, now they can see, it's a big deal for the people of the country they probably have outdated warmongering imperialist stereotypes about.

Yes it was very concentrated in Britishness. The overarching theme being - this country doesn't take itself too seriously and there's a bit of an anarchic chaotic spirit running through everything we do. The further you get away from the anglosphere, the harder you will have to read into the show to understand it.

[nezzybaby]

I went in with low expectations and was absolutely blown away. I think some of the criticism here is a little unfair, though agree with most that the industrial revolution and the forging of the rings was magnificent. I don't object to Paul McCartney as strongly as most, I still find him very likeable, a good entertainer, and he is one of the most recognisable faces we could have put there for an international audience.

Rowan Atkinson is a genius, I love his physical comedy.

The texting bit didn't grip me as much as the rest, mainly due to the lack of heavy metal, surely if you're sticking some Sex Pistols in there then at least one Black Sabbath song should be allowed.

The torch is unbelievably brilliant, was not expecting anything like it.

Overall a big 10/10 for me.

[rolybling]

It was better than expected but I still only give it a 5. The NHS sequence would have meant diddly squat to most people watching abroad, and it was a long sequence, I felt throughout that there was too much placed on the past and not enough about Britain now. Some kids running around looking as bemused as me, texting each other doesn't really count. The Bond bit with the Queen nearly floored me and seeing Mr Beans face made me laugh out loud. The rest I could leave, I switched it off when McCartney came on, he's not been able to deliver a note for years.

[JoHaN 15]

6/10. After the Industrial Revolution part it slowly went downhill for me. The music was good, but the dancing..

[pirlo_21]

Originally Posted by sarflonlad

London was on a budget and had no political interferenc.

it had a huge budget

[Nightjar]

I've probably been a bit a mean with my award of 5 (6 would probably have been fairer), but frankly I found it a genuine curate's egg and actually quite representative of both the UK and of Danny Boyle's dubious talents as a visionary and director - i.e. a jolly, eager to please, occasionally inspired but faintly embarrassing shambles.

Of course I doubt if any future opening ceremony will ever again feature the music of Mud, and that has to be worth something, doesn't it.

[GollumGollum]

Well, if I was a director, I would have done it differently - but probably everyone thinks that.

I would have given the world a quick history of the UK, since the paleolithic, using dancers and stuff - have a henge monument pop up, with a procession of neolithic priests, and atmospheric music - have Londinium get built by the Romans - Anglo-Saxons having to crown William the Bastard their king - the industrial revolution - the social revolutions of the 20th century...

What I did enjoy was his theme that love conquers all; no matter what ideas you ascribe to, people will inevitably carrying on loving who they please. Also enjoyed that an entire segment was devoted to this country's incredible history of children's literture, and the dark themes often therein. I expect some American viewers might find the NHS section to be a little in your face, as the debate over healthcare still rages on over there, and some people are convinced the NHS is a hated/failed institution here.

The digital age is always treated in the same way - phenomenon which really are just a small part in the history of the digital age like txtspeak, elevated into some kind of holy zeitgeist - the modern Doctor Who loves doing that shit too; the latest one is some people seem to think the word 'app' is really fashionable, and down with the times.

I understand what Danny Boyle was trying to do, but some of it was a little overbearing, and the things he chose to represent and chose not to, could be seen as glossing over a lot of what makes Britain what it is. Better than I thought it would be, and he could have just shirked the responsibility, but chose to try to do his country a service.

[livin' hull]

Loved it ! Would have been a 10 but for McCartney!

Found the 7/7 tribute and the wall of faces very moving...

And the NHS tribute was magnificent but hey I work for it! Just don't expect to see me dancing on the wards anytime soon! (if they let me onto them!)

Oh and if it upset a few Tory MPs so be it !

By the way if you need a laugh read this idiots review !

http://twentyfoursports.blogspot.co....ening.html?m=1

[hoody]

I gave it 9.

I thought there were many epic points. i.e. Rural idyll to industry, The Queen, The cauldron lighting, fireworks and the music (the bits by Underworld).

parts that let it down.

Inane bullshit by Trevor "I say things that I like" Nelson, condescending Hazel Irvine. Macca (its time to retire). There were a few parts where the changeovers were a bit lacklustre and needed to be smoother.

But all in all an overwhelming success. 9/10.

I feel primarily the BBC let the side down.

[NCT]

Really enjoyed it actually. The set, the music and the lighting were ingenious, poignant or sublime where they needed to be. I really liked how there was something for people of all ages to relate to, something the Beijing 2008 opening ceremony completely failed to do. The inclusive nature was great - militarily trained actors have nothing on real doctors and nurses dancing; and the children's choir singing the national anthem brought a tear to the eye. Lighting of the cauldron was excellent - what a way of empowering the next generation of athletes - from nobody to somebody.

[future.architect]

My thoughts on the Olympic opening ceremony.

Good points:
The industrial revolution
Emeli Sande + dancers
The cauldron

Ok points:
The NHS/ childerns literature
The Queen with 007

Bad points:
Facebook/ Twitter/ random songs thrown together
Mr Bean
The Arctic Monkeys
Paul Mcartney ( I know he's a living legend but he sounded like like he had just been dug up)

overall - 8/10

[ferge]

It is always easy to say what you would do differently when you've the ceremony as a template - they did it from scratch!

I think the opening scene looked beautiful, wish we'd seen some more of the animals and scenes going on, they seemed to get it out the way quickly to save on any mishaps with the animals I thought Branagh as Brunel was genius, the music in this segment was beautiful. I loved how the scene encapsulated both the triumph of discovery and rise of industry whilst throughout grieving the loss of the tranquil landscape, it was a constant war.. All the characters/volunteers stayed in character so well, for the drummers to look so despairing and almost zombified when they must have been bursting with excitement and happiness is a credit to their skill and dedication. It just seemed to have all these undertones and layers which gave so much depth, it felt pagan and new age, it felt worldly and inclusive but thoroughly British.

The moment the chimneys started appearing, and the smoke and smog flurried out was superb, it was the start of the clincher to what the games will be remembered for (I think). I would have liked just a few more elements to the extra props being led out, it would be nice to have some steam engines, or perhaps some factories and mills popping up with the chimneys (but I suppose they didn't want to block out the view of what was about to occur). I imagine one problem is when documenting our past, a great deal is not the stuff you want to parade.. we can hardly showcase the slave trade, the wars, etc etc.. so I fully acknowledge and agree with how it played out.

Just loved the forming of the rings and the build up to it, it was the wow moment. To be honest after that I'd trouble to critique it as I'll have to watch those parts again. I thought with the spoilers that we had that I'd hate the NHS segment with the monsters, but I actually enjoyed it. The Bond/Queen segment, made our household burst out with laughter, big respect to HRH for playing along with the spectacle - it was kitsch and cheap but who gives a hoot?! It was great. Same with the Mr Bean segment, I'd never have thought we'd be celebrating Mr Bean to the world?! It was his typical style and not rip-roaring, but certainly endearing and a nice little addition to a fine piece of music.

Beautiful to see the honouring and mention of people lost to the 7/7 attacks and so forth, Emile Sande did an incredible job. I didn't really like the whole house/music scene, it looked a bit make shift and went on a bit too long but again, I can acknowledge why it was in there and it didn't spoil the show for me. The cauldron, it didn't emote the same feelings as Sydney did, but I didn't expect it to.. I would even go as far to say it wasn't as epic as Athens', but it certainly trounced Beijings' effort. What an ingenious idea to have each nation a part of the cauldron, and keep us all guessing right until the very end. God knows where they're gonna place it for the rest of the games

Speeches went on a little too long, Loved the fireworks (throughout) the stadium looked stunning, I take back any criticism back in the day of how basic and uninspiring it looked, last night with those led seats - amazing. It did seem a little ill-thought to have the big finale of fireworks and then have Macca, just didn't work but never mind. I don't think it warrants criticism of the man himself. Also, I didn't mind the interruption to the fireworks, although the outer space animation of the rings - that is bound to get youtube flooded with new conspiracy videos of Illuminati/New World Order :\ although there was a absent of these would be 'false flag' nuclear attack, the muppets.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was certainly worth the wait - I hope the World enjoyed it too (despite seeing some criticisms)

Oh, and the add, if anything is to make you proud it is how everyone was included. From what I recall of Beijing it was all about peak physical fitness and a survival of the fittest mentality (apologies if I'm wrong), it was great to see all people involved in ours of all abilities (as mentioned, the choir for the national anthem etc) The use of kids throughout retained the promises made in 2005, we stuck to our word of what our bid stood for. Also the tiniest of touches that would never be relayed to the wider world, such as having descendants of Emily Pankhurst playing the role of the Suffragettes, it wasn't that we told stories of ourselves, but used the people it meant the most to to tell it. Super!

[NCT]

I found the Mr Beans bit pretty funny. The Brits might find it a bit boring but I suspect this is exactly the kind of thing that would ring for an international audience.

[jerseyboi]

I should been in charge would been even more " bonkers " with more men in shorts.

[Medo]

I found it fun and entertaining, sometimes moving and sometimes epic. It should have closed with the pink floyd song and not paul mccartney.

[tuten]

Perfection

[odlum833]

Originally Posted by Octoman

I thought the camera work was a bit sloppy at

I was thinking this would be brought up. I thought the ceremony was a fantastic advertisement for Britain myself and it went off very well but THIS actually irritated me especially at the lighting of the flame near the end. The camera angles were terrible - it was irritating to watch. No sense of what was really happening with the artwork taking the flame from the young athletes or the mechanics of it. And then for the fireworks - WHY was the feed being interrupted with images of other stuff!? I mean seriously - just keep the camera in one place and let us see. That was the only really disappointing thing about it IMO. Other than that I thought the whole thing very enjoyable.

[WatcherZero]

Originally Posted by ferge

It is always easy to say what you would do differently when you've the ceremony as a template - they did it from scratch!

I think the opening scene looked beautiful, wish we'd seen some more of the animals and scenes going on, they seemed to get it out the way quickly to save on any mishaps with the animals

It was there all afternoon, principally as the entertainment for the stadium audience though, it wasnt part of the 'main show' for the tv audience.

Interesting on the athletes parade they beat the drums in double time to try and encourage them to walk faster. At the last minute the show was cut from 3:30 hours to 3 hours however with no obvious delays in the performance it still managed to run 45 minutes late. Athletes slow speed mainly to blame I believe.

[T. Bear]

I thought it sucked dick, but on the grand dick sucking deep throat gagathon that is Opening Ceremonies it was okay. What was with the political shit though? Industry: BAD, socialized healthcare: GOOD. Fuck that, and fuck those kids lighting the flame "because they're the future". Those kids were threatening revolution last year over a pair of Nike Airs. They're assholes.

[NCT]

Originally Posted by T. Bear

I thought it sucked dick, but on the grand dick sucking deep throat gagathon that is Opening Ceremonies it was okay. What was with the political shit though? Industry: BAD, socialized healthcare: GOOD. Fuck that, and fuck those kids lighting the flame "because they're the future". Those kids were threatening revolution last year over a pair of Nike Airs. They're assholes.

It's spelt arseholes.