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Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 4:50:34 AM

Phubbs

Posts: 660
Joined: 3/4/2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

I saw the beginning with Branagh and the industrial revolution of England, I then got as far as the first appearance of Rowling but then had to go back to work.

I liked what I saw although it did look more like a children's school play or pantomime. It became more of a pop concern cross Royal Variety performance to be honest, not much of an Olympic ceremony, I was surprised by that.

I think there was too much silliness and not enough actual references to British history and famous Britain's. The industrial sequence at the start easily being the best and most interesting section. Apart from that it became more to do with TV/film icons and music really, not enough true British heritage in my opinion.

Example: Mr Bean, reasonably amusing but such an old routine.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19021660

I thought there might be some River Dance or some native Highland fling perhaps, things like that, maybe old fashioned but its relevant to our whole Island.

The rest of the world was excited, intrigued and a bit baffled it seems
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/27/olympics-opening-ceremony-view-from-abroad

The Bond clip, nice touch, could of gone on a bit longer maybe. At one point I thought we would see an action sequence with the Queen lol!. The Queen skydiving seemed a bit daft though, too much of a 'Naked Gun' type spoof for me.
http://www.denofgeek.com/other/james-bond/22158/james-bond-clip-from-olympics-opening-ceremony

Shame we still seem to have David Beckham as our countries ambassador for some reason

This made me laugh, I think he may be in trouble
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jul/28/olympics-opening-ceremony-multicultural-crap-tory-mp

The Americans view on it all :) gotta love how the yanks view us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e8qVxJgK_o

I think in all honesty Beijing still rules the roost for this 'competition'. Their show was more about their culture, as it should be really.

A quirky colourful show from GB but not really what I was expecting. Started off well but ended up needing more actual history rather than the retro rock concern it turned out to be.

(The Queen didn't look too bothered haha)

< Message edited by Phubbs -- 28/7/2012 5:09:47 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 7:22:58 AM

DancingClown

Posts: 3546
Joined: 8/1/2006
From: The Lot

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phubbs

liked what I saw although it did look more like a children's school play or pantomime.

Erm...that was kinda the point. Children's literature...

quote:

It became more of a pop concern cross Royal Variety performance to be honest, not much of an Olympic ceremony, I was surprised by that.

Surprise is not a good thing? It was a celebration of modern British music.

quote:

I think in all honesty Beijing still rules the roost for this 'competition'.

Bollocks. Ours wasn't state-sponsored or government approved. Ours was a celebration of democracy as much as anything else.

quote:

A quirky colourful show from GB but not really what I was expecting. Started off well but ended up needing more actual history rather than the retro rock concern it turned out to be.

Sounds like you wanted something more staid and conventional. What's wrong with the unexpected? I thought it was great. And Riverdance? That's Irish.

quote:

(The Queen didn't look too bothered haha)

She looked like an old lady who wanted her bed.

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Post #: 2

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 7:51:13 AM

Phubbs

Posts: 660
Joined: 3/4/2012

Riverdance is Irish yes but doesn't this ceremony cover the British Isles? pretty sure its team GB.

Since when was it a celebration of modern British music!!!!!!! surely its a celebration of the Olympics and the event coming to the UK, this isn't an awards ceremony for popstars.

Beijing may have been government suppressed but it was truly astonishing, a work of art and dare I say order, typically exquisite Eastern skills.

I would have preferred to see more British heritage yes, more UK heritage and less popstars. We see enough popstars everyday, we have a great history that doesn't involve popstars.

Again, since when was it suppose to be created in the form of children's literature? I said the start looked like a children's school play but I'm pretty sure it wasn't suppose to look like that, industrial revolution of Britain...not children's story time.

I also thought it way too much like the Royal Variety Performance, the same kind of vibe totally. Not that that's a bad thing but just not the right way to go for this.

< Message edited by Phubbs -- 28/7/2012 7:55:02 AM >

(in reply to DancingClown)

Post #: 3

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 8:42:35 AM

Phubbs

Posts: 660
Joined: 3/4/2012

^ Pretty big assumption that isn't it! still doesn't change the fact their ceremony was visibly better. That's not a bad thing, no shame in that, it just was, can't deny them that.

Anyhow these are just my opinions, I didn't think all the pop music was the right angle myself, just me.

Post #: 4

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 8:47:07 AM

elab49

Posts: 51541
Joined: 1/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phubbs

Riverdance is Irish yes but doesn't this ceremony cover the British Isles? pretty sure its team GB.

Since when was it a celebration of modern British music!!!!!!! surely its a celebration of the Olympics and the event coming to the UK, this isn't an awards ceremony for popstars.

Beijing may have been government suppressed but it was truly astonishing, a work of art and dare I say order, typically exquisite Eastern skills.

I would have preferred to see more British heritage yes, more UK heritage and less popstars. We see enough popstars everyday, we have a great history that doesn't involve popstars.

Again, since when was it suppose to be created in the form of children's literature? I said the start looked like a children's school play but I'm pretty sure it wasn't suppose to look like that, industrial revolution of Britain...not children's story time.

I also thought it way too much like the Royal Variety Performance, the same kind of vibe totally. Not that that's a bad thing but just not the right way to go for this.

I think you might have missed quite a bit.

Riverdance is not Northern Irish, it's Irish. That's not the British Isles.

There were different segments - since when? When that segment started as a celebration of childrens literature and the NHS, as it said at the start of the segment, as the commentary said at the start of the segment.

It was British achievement, heritage and culture.

Beijiing? It was impressive. But only in terms of order, scale and regimentation (and is now primarily remembered for the bait and switch with the kid) not really in imagination. We got British achievement and British irreverence. I'd say that's perfect.

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Post #: 5

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 9:53:09 AM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18873
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

The NHS is still an amazing achievement in an age where people in some of the richest parts of the world still can't access free health care.

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Post #: 6

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 10:04:43 AM

sanchia

Posts: 16685
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Norwich

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rgirvan44

The NHS is still an amazing achievement in an age where people in some of the richest parts of the world still can't access free health care.

Not just free healthcare but even affordable healthcare of any form.

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Post #: 7

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 10:27:50 AM

boaby

Posts: 2786
Joined: 29/12/2006
From: Aberdeenshire

Scotland got a fair few tokens. Wales and NI seemed to get none.

Since the '60s what exactly has "Britain" done that's even close to epic? They gonna show managed decline of empire? What's left apart from taking the p!ss?

I did think the music and the yoof wi' the phones was a bit mish-mash. Couldn't see a progression, chronological or otherwise.

The "Abide With Me" bit was a bit odd. Oor quine fae Alford nailed it like.

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Post #: 8

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 10:33:00 AM

superdan

Posts: 7200
Joined: 31/7/2008

quote:

ORIGINAL: boaby

Scotland got a fair few tokens. Wales and NI seemed to get none.

Since the '60s what exactly has "Britain" done that's even close to epic? They gonna show managed decline of empire? What's left apart from taking the p!ss?

I did think the music and the yoof wi' the phones was a bit mish-mash. Couldn't see a progression, chronological or otherwise.

The "Abide With Me" bit was a bit odd. Oor quine fae Alford nailed it like.

(in reply to boaby)

Post #: 9

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 10:39:28 AM

boaby

Posts: 2786
Joined: 29/12/2006
From: Aberdeenshire

That was me being positive.

Ye can ram yer stuffed donkey up yer hoop.

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Post #: 10

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:09:29 AM

jon5000

Posts: 1087
Joined: 29/3/2007
From: LA

I thought it was brilliantly planned and performed. The forging of the Olympic rings against the backdrop of the industrial revolution was superb. And the humour of course. It was the only way we could compete against Beijing in a British way, with wit.

That said, it was a fairly optimistic reflection on our history. No black death? No Titanic? No Gary Glitter soundtrack on the 70s bit?

I jest.

Although I was slightly miffed at them choosing Paul bloody McCartney to perform Hey Jude

I loathe that song with a passion. It's not even his best, Live and Let Die surely? I appreciate the Na na nana na na naaah factor but come on? It's starting to become our unofficial-anything-British closing song. It's such a drab and uninspiring piece.

It should have been this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK2hKzZss5Y

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Post #: 11

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:12:02 AM

homersimpson_esq

Posts: 19962
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Springfield

To be fair, this has been, ironically, massively discussed in the "No interest in the Olympic Games" thread in Off Topic.

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Post #: 12

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:13:49 AM

elab49

Posts: 51541
Joined: 1/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: boaby

Scotland got a fair few tokens. Wales and NI seemed to get none.

Since the '60s what exactly has "Britain" done that's even close to epic? They gonna show managed decline of empire? What's left apart from taking the p!ss?

I did think the music and the yoof wi' the phones was a bit mish-mash. Couldn't see a progression, chronological or otherwise.

The "Abide With Me" bit was a bit odd. Oor quine fae Alford nailed it like.

Apart from the anthems from each part of the UK? And the rugby stuff (Scotland scoring against England, Ireland scoring against England). The music, the films, the writers all from different parts of the UK. And the history of achievement and culture was Britain, not just England

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Post #: 13

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:23:00 AM

homersimpson_esq

Posts: 19962
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Springfield

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

quote:

ORIGINAL: boaby

Scotland got a fair few tokens. Wales and NI seemed to get none.

Since the '60s what exactly has "Britain" done that's even close to epic? They gonna show managed decline of empire? What's left apart from taking the p!ss?

I did think the music and the yoof wi' the phones was a bit mish-mash. Couldn't see a progression, chronological or otherwise.

The "Abide With Me" bit was a bit odd. Oor quine fae Alford nailed it like.

Apart from the anthems from each part of the UK? And the rugby stuff (Scotland scoring against England, Ireland scoring against England). The music, the films, the writers all from different parts of the UK. And the history of achievement and culture was Britain, not just England

Yes, but elab, everyone knows that the National Anthem is obviously English and not for Scottish or the Welsh or the Northern Irish...

It fucks me off when the National Anthem IS used for England at sporting events against the other constituent parts of the Britain. It's everyone's anthem, not just the English's.

Anyway, fuck the cynics. Last night absolutely crushed my cynicism and apathy. Haters gonna hate.

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Post #: 14

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:36:28 AM

sanchia

Posts: 16685
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Norwich

It was well done. The thing which did irritate me was the awful use of jump cuts every few seconds, not giving a chance to actually enjoy a what was happening.

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Post #: 15

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:47:20 AM

Taizy

Posts: 210
Joined: 1/1/2006

Confusing, eccentric and funny... Thought it was great. I can't understand the LA reporter's take that 'all the fuss about the NHS is like celebrating the USA healthcare system at a sports opening ceremony here...' (paraphrased). It is an ultimate thankyou and tribute to the overworked and underpaid staff of the NHS on the front line level, for whatever flaws our system we are priveledged and fortunate to have it. I was a bit underwhelmed by Tim Berniers-Lee's inclusion, as they could have had some amazing technical effects there rather than lifting off the house to have a man at 2 computer screens. Esp. with Boyle's cinematic flair I'd have liked it to start off with that and build up but generally well done to Danny Boyle and team

As much as it must have been amazing to have been there I think watching it on a screen was prob the best view as there were so many ariel shots of the whole image and small detail moments that seeing it from ground level must have looked quite confusing at times!

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Post #: 16

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:48:58 AM

elab49

Posts: 51541
Joined: 1/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

quote:

ORIGINAL: boaby

Scotland got a fair few tokens. Wales and NI seemed to get none.

Since the '60s what exactly has "Britain" done that's even close to epic? They gonna show managed decline of empire? What's left apart from taking the p!ss?

I did think the music and the yoof wi' the phones was a bit mish-mash. Couldn't see a progression, chronological or otherwise.

The "Abide With Me" bit was a bit odd. Oor quine fae Alford nailed it like.

Apart from the anthems from each part of the UK? And the rugby stuff (Scotland scoring against England, Ireland scoring against England). The music, the films, the writers all from different parts of the UK. And the history of achievement and culture was Britain, not just England

Yes, but elab, everyone knows that the National Anthem is obviously English and not for Scottish or the Welsh or the Northern Irish... It fucks me off when the National Anthem IS used for England at sporting events against the other constituent parts of the Britain. It's everyone's anthem, not just the English's.

Anyway, fuck the cynics. Last night absolutely crushed my cynicism and apathy. Haters gonna hate.

I'm not a great fan of God Save tbh - I grew up with a bible that had ALL the verses of it in it. Never really encouraged me to it.

But I meant the Giants Causeway/Edinburgh Castle/Somewhere in Wales/Jerusalem bit. To emphasise all the constituent parts were part of this. Beautifully done. And the lad (?) singing in the stadium did have a wonderful voice.

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Post #: 17

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:56:49 AM

superdan

Posts: 7200
Joined: 31/7/2008

quote:

ORIGINAL: Taizy
As much as it must have been amazing to have been there I think watching it on a screen was prob the best view as there were so many ariel shots of the whole image and small detail moments that seeing it from ground level must have looked quite confusing at times!

Probably, but I bet it was also a lot more awe-inspiring in the stadium. Those smokestacks rising from the ground looked impressive enough on tv, in the stadium it must have looked bloody amazing. Ditto the forged rings and the cauldron lighting.

(in reply to Taizy)

Post #: 18

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 11:58:34 AM

Harry Tuttle

Posts: 7496
Joined: 12/11/2005
From: Sometime in the future.

I thought it was amazing, a truly stunning achievement. Definitely the best opening ceremony in my living memory, and by quite a distance as well. Danny Boyle deserves all the plaudits he gets. I was especially impressed by the Industrial Revolution segment that culminated in the forged rings, the music and film celebration segment and the lighting of the cauldron.

I genuinely felt proud to be British last night, it felt great to be stripped of my cynicism even if only for a few hours.

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Post #: 19

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 12:18:26 PM

impqueen

Posts: 6755
Joined: 24/7/2006

Well I got in late last night and caught the end. Luckily it was recorded and I sat through the whole thing and then watched it again this morning. I thought it was massively entertaining; the only moment I didn�t like was Hey Jude at the end. Wonderfully eccentric and not at all what I was expecting, as above my cynicism directed at the event was well and truly smashed.

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Post #: 20

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 12:51:55 PM

Mr E

Posts: 1668
Joined: 14/10/2005

Thought it was awful and in need of a more balanced view. A section on the slave trade, a reenactment of the bombing of Dresden and some Mau Mau detention camps would have contributed greatly to the occasion.

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Post #: 21

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 12:57:50 PM

elab49

Posts: 51541
Joined: 1/10/2005

Why, given the objective of the ceremony, did a celebration need a more 'balanced' view? It wasn't a formal history exam or exercise in self-flagellation.

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Post #: 22

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:02:37 PM

Hood_Man

Posts: 11270
Joined: 30/9/2005

I loved it.

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Post #: 23

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:05:25 PM

steffols

Posts: 7613
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Jungleland

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr E

Thought it was awful and in need of a more balanced view. A section on the slave trade, a reenactment of the bombing of Dresden and some Mau Mau detention camps would have contributed greatly to the occasion.

I'm glad you weren't directing it. That sounds depressing as hell.

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Post #: 24

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:15:41 PM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18873
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr E

Thought it was awful and in need of a more balanced view. A section on the slave trade, a reenactment of the bombing of Dresden and some Mau Mau detention camps would have contributed greatly to the occasion.

I award three troll stars.

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Post #: 25

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:22:30 PM

Ref

Posts: 7197
Joined: 5/10/2005
From: Leicester

quote:

ORIGINAL: jon5000

I thought it was brilliantly planned and performed. The forging of the Olympic rings against the backdrop of the industrial revolution was superb. And the humour of course. It was the only way we could compete against Beijing in a British way, with wit.

Totally agree with you, Jon. Britain could never compete with China on scale, but they certainly made up for it in charm and wit. And again the forging of the Olympic rings was just bloody brilliant.

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Post #: 26

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:23:30 PM

superdan

Posts: 7200
Joined: 31/7/2008

I was always disappointed the Beijing ceremony didn't feature an artistic re-enactment of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, or the Sydney ceremony's lack of indulging in the devastation and oppression of the Aboriginal peoples. These things would have really brought some much needed balance to the proceedings.

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Post #: 27

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:27:23 PM

elab49

Posts: 51541
Joined: 1/10/2005

When did Germany last host

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Post #: 28

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:28:47 PM

Hood_Man

Posts: 11270
Joined: 30/9/2005

NBC drop Opening Ceremony 7/7 Tribute:

quote:

The US broadcaster NBC is facing growing criticism after editing their delayed coverage of the London 2012 opening ceremony to replace the "memorial wall" tribute section with a Ryan Seacrest interview with Michael Phelps.

NBC, exclusive holders of the US rights to the Games, chose to broadcast the entire ceremony on a time-delay to maximise primetime advertising revenue, and were further criticised for refusing to provide a live online stream.

NBC's broadcast, which began as the live ceremony was finishing in London, left out sections including the reflective moment when the Scottish singer Emeli Sand� sang Abide with Me.

The section included images of loved ones lost by those in the stadium, and was also widely interpreted as a tribute to the 52 victims of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London in 2005.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/28/london-2012-nbc-opening-ceremony?newsfeed=true

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Post #: 29

RE: Olympic Opening Ceremony - 28/7/2012 1:38:02 PM

impqueen

Posts: 6755
Joined: 24/7/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hood_Man

NBC drop Opening Ceremony 7/7 Tribute:

quote:

The US broadcaster NBC is facing growing criticism after editing their delayed coverage of the London 2012 opening ceremony to replace the "memorial wall" tribute section with a Ryan Seacrest interview with Michael Phelps.

NBC, exclusive holders of the US rights to the Games, chose to broadcast the entire ceremony on a time-delay to maximise primetime advertising revenue, and were further criticised for refusing to provide a live online stream.

NBC's broadcast, which began as the live ceremony was finishing in London, left out sections including the reflective moment when the Scottish singer Emeli Sand� sang Abide with Me.

The section included images of loved ones lost by those in the stadium, and was also widely interpreted as a tribute to the 52 victims of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London in 2005.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/28/london-2012-nbc-opening-ceremony?newsfeed=true

A lot of people are saying that their entire broadcast was appalling, some shocking commentary bordering on offensive (in the dismissal of smaller nations), ignorant observations and they also cut out countries B through T in the Parade of Nations.

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Post #: 30