mr.x Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 It was OK. It had its sweet moments, but there were some things that left me going "WTF?!!!". Nevertheless, a bittersweet event to end Vancouver's Olympic journey. Sweet moments: - comedic part with the lighting of the cauldron, and Le May Doan getting a chance to light it! - Olympic Anthem - Canadian Anthem - Greek Anthem - Furlong's speech...excluding the French, it was AMAZING! - Rogge: "excellent and friendly Games" = BEST GAMES EVER! - the children/snowboard intros and countdown Iffy/neutral moments...but had its charm at some points: - the Buble segment with the floats and mounties was iffy (but i absolutely LOVED the rendition of Maple Leaf Forever) - the three comedic segments were no doubt entertaining to Canadians and perhaps the majority of English-speaking and educated foreigners, but to non-English foreigners who don't know much about Canada I'm quite sure it was lost in translation - Alanis Morisette Terrible: - most of the concert acts at the end of the ceremony - Russian anthem...WHY IS IT SO LONG?!!!! And with regards to the SOCHI 2014 HANDOVER: - in a way, they upstaged Vancouver I think....though I will have to throw in that the Closing Ceremony Vancouver organized was focused on letting go and having fun, while the Sochi handover was focused on formally presenting Russia to the world formally. That's why there was such a stark contrast. Not to mention, Sochi's handover must have cost quite a bit...certainly a Winter Games record. The Sochi Opening Ceremony will no doubt go a much different direction than Vancouver's, and I'm sure the Russians will spare no expense with their Ceremonies just like what the Chinese did with Beijing. Vancouver 2010 = Sydney 2000 Sochi 2014 = Beijing 2008 FAREWELL FROM VANCOUVER! PLEASE COME BACK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 LOVED the opening w/ the cauldron joke. Absolutely wonderful. LOVED the finale w/ hockey table, moose, beavers, etc. HATED O'Hara. Not only tasteless, she was flat and totally un-funny. Not crazy about Shatner or Fox either. One of the best handover teasers ever from Sochi, but it left me feeling nervous about whether Russia will actually welcome the world or just focus on self-aggrandizement. (the Plushenko-ization of a nation?) I was shocked that here in LA we got no "farewell from Vancouver." No closing credits. No final montage. One minute it was inflatable beavers. Then it was a commericial. Then the Marriage Ref. After two weeks of programming NBC doesn't give us any kind of final send-off? VERY strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cormiermax Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Id give it a C- There where some very strong points, Maple Leaf Forever was great! But then some parts ruined it for me, I know I know it was all a big party but some of it didn't belong in an Olympic Ceremony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Some of my CC thots: - It was OK, considering what I had to piece together from NBC's diced-up coverage for the Bay Area. - I liked the Maple Leaf Forever production number. We need more of those in Ceremonies. Thank God, there was no Dmitir Papaoiannou-inspired thoughts or thinking behind these Ceremonies. On the Russian handover: Whakinda Handover segment was that? NOT a SINGLE SHOT of the next host city?? The whole thing was so ponderous especially the Russian National Anthem!! I mean it went on and on and on. The soundtrack of HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER sounded so much better. Were they trying to make up for the number of times the anthem WASN'T heard at these Games??? ANd yeah, since Sochi isn't probably all that photogenic, they just showed the culture of Russia...but all of those are finer arts are what you would find in the great theatres of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov...maybe? Does Sochi even have an Opera House...or will that still be built? And then throwing in Irina Rodnina...who of course only the die-hard figure skating core aficionados would recognize. I thought the whole Russian segment was disingenous and somewhat misrepresenting facts. I guess we'll see more of that in Sochi. So after the Maple Leaf number, who else besides Avril performed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen-Seth Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Is there to be a closing ceremony album? I've not seen one on iTunes, but I'm still hopeful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.x Posted March 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Is there to be a closing ceremony album? I've not seen one on iTunes, but I'm still hopeful. Yes, the Opening album was of course released on the 13th and the Closing album will be out tmrw. Don't take my word on it, but I think i read somewhere a 2-disc opening/closing album set will be released in a few weeks (or more?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FYI Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 On the Russian handover: Whakinda Handover segment was that? NOT a SINGLE SHOT of the next host city?? ANd yeah, since Sochi isn't probably all that photogenic, they just showed the culture of Russia... Yeah, & noticed how NBC only showcased the next "Olympic" Games in London, instead of the next 'Winter' Games in Sochi. What does that tell'ya. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenadian Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 That's just the way NBC sees the Olympic world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Yeah, & noticed how NBC only showcased the next "Olympic" Games in London, instead of the next 'Winter' Games in Sochi. What does that tell'ya. lol Well, of course, they haven't BOUGHT the rights to Sochi yet...so I guess they were not counting their chickens yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinhu4ever Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 The re-lighting of the cauldron was a really nice touch. Poor Le May Doan deserved this after the whole 4th leg fiasco. Allow me to say "In You Face, Gretzky! I lit one by mylsef and didn't get soaking wet to do it!" The snowboard intro choreography was adorable and hey, that was one easy song to memorize! I HATED the Canandian anthem rendition. Seriously, WTF? I had absolutely no issues with Nikki's rendition, but this? BIG FAT NO for me. Kudos for the guy who sang the Olympic Anthem. It was nice to actually understand what was being sung this time around. OC Lady had a pretty and powerful voice but I just couldn't catch any words she sang and being unfamiliar with the lyrics certainly didn't help. Furlong's speech was really good and I found his attempts at French endearing. He was trying so hard! Cultural segment was just plain awesome. Really. One of the things I appreciate the most in anyone is the ability to laugh at oneself. And Canadians showed that they've got enough sense of humor to export it! XD This CC gets bonus points for bringing back my sweet childhood memories. At least my sweet TV childhood memories. Anything that has Captain Kirk, Kevin's Mom and Marty McFly being funny onstage cannot be labled with anything other than AWESOME. Musical guests, save a few (Bublé, Alanis, Neil Young) were a complete letdown. Seriously, again, Nickelback? Really? And who the hell is Hedley? Makes me wonder who we'll bring in the 2016 ceremonies since we don't actually have worldwide famous names, but I digress. The Sochi handover...Geez, I don't know. I guess it was pretty, but I felt it didn't, you know, showed what was expected to show. Overall, I sensed that the CC was better crafted than the OC. It's great to see the olympic ceremonies being about having fun instead of being about who's got the most hardcore giant led screen. It felt more human to me. So, congratulations, Vancouver! You guys surelly exceded my expectations! These were my first winter olympics and I'll sure miss the fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenadian Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 To me, the Opening Ceremony was all the things I see in Canada that I like...diverse, artistic, creative, beautiful, inclusive. And this closing ceremony was everything that I moan at...cheesy rock bands, over blown stereotypes, trying too hard laugh at oneself, and wanting nothing more than to be liked. And yet I find myself reading posts from across the seas that say they loved the closing and disliked the opening. Well, that's culture for ya. Hard to pin down. I guess the Aussies still hate their Atlanta bike riding kangaroos, just as these inflated beavers will leave me scarred forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4seasonscentre Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 I generally didn't like it but am used to being disappointed by closings. Question: Didn't OCOG presidents used to get a medal from the IOC president, or was that just a Juan Antonio thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ard72 Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Fox Sports News Australia "The quality of Canadian celebrity depth was tested with the mum from Home Alone making an appearance" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuigiVercotti Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Must admit the Closing Ceremony just lacked that certain something (or if you want to give a sop to the Quebecoise that certain Je ne sais quoi). It started off nicely with a self-piss-take on the fortress of solitude minorah failure, and I loved seeing two great Canucks strut their stuff (Neil Young and the Shat-man). But the rest of the ceremony was a bit too try hard and at times stultifying. Catherine O'Hara was just bad (which is a shame because in movies like 'A Mighty Wind' she's a real talent), there was some kind of stuff up with Michael J Fox's section, and as for Michael Buble...no thanks. You could also see the debt David Atkins owed (again) to Sydney 2000 with the concert set up, the huge iconic figures and this was not conducive to a memorable ceremony. And by the way, whenever there are singing mounties I'll always think of 'I'm a Lumberjack'...no fault of Atkins et al, it just happens. As for Sochi's handover...not as effective or affecting as some previous handovers. You got to worry about a sequence when they don't show the host city and they use leftovers from a Eurovision presentation to give an indication of the next games. Finally, Jacques and John were as dull as dish water. I hate to say it but at least the Wily Old Falangist knew how to get the fans onside during a formal speech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.x Posted March 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 ^ are you kidding me, everyone in Canada is in love with John Furlong right now...his speech last night was incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuigiVercotti Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 ^ are you kidding me, everyone in Canada is in love with John Furlong right now...his speech last night was incredible. Well I'm glad that Canada loves the head of VANOC...problem is Canadians only constituted part of the audience (both locally and of course world wide). And every organising committee head trots out the usual, similar sentiments at the closing. When you've seen or heard 10 or more for summer and winter over the years they get a bit repetitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 I loved the handover to Russia which was very beautiful , but im still not sure what to make of all the giant beavers and moose est. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotosy Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 the Russian Anthem chorus was solenm as russian like to do like the handover, beautiful indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneTimeOnly Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Hated William Shatner, hated the "piss in the snow" joke which was totally tasteless for the ceremony. Overall, too North American centric. Do people overseas know who all of those comedians were? Closing Ceremonies always suck however. I might pay for one ONCE just to say I'd been to one and that's it. OC's are the ones to be at. Sochi's segment was at once well done and yet cold and severe in some respects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citius Altius Fortius Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 my thoughts: highpoints: - the "adjusting" of the cauldron - bonfire atmosphere when the flame extingiushed - the beavers/canoes/mounties/marple-leave-girls/hockeyplayer Buble segment - the sublime Russian anthem - the handover segment to Russia (I avoid the word Sochi) low points: - well, there were no real low points all over all the CC was much better than the OC in my point of view - and I took down the note that I won't spend money for the ceremonies in London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneTimeOnly Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 I was shocked that here in LA we got no "farewell from Vancouver." No closing credits. No final montage. One minute it was inflatable beavers. Then it was a commericial. Then the Marriage Ref. After two weeks of programming NBC doesn't give us any kind of final send-off? VERY strange. The final send off was at 11:35 PM after the stupid "marriage ref" and your local news. You just didn't stay up late enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memorabilia Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 low points: - well, there were no real low points Yes, there is one... this awful redemption of the Canadian Anthem.... Is that a way to celebrate his own country ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonctonFella Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 for me i loved the opening clown fixing the cauldren loved, loved, LOVED buble/maple leaf forever. really didnt like the speaches from shatner/ohara/ j fox. F'ING nickleback?!? almost ruined the whole thing for me, but alannis saved the music numbers for me, she was great and looked amazing. holy.....who knew the russian anthem was so looooooong. for me it was 50\50, some great parts, and not so great parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scielle Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Loved the opening cauldron lighting. From there, it generally went downhill, with few exceptions. The musical acts, for the most part, were a huge disappointment. An embarrassment, really. I'm sad Vanoc didn't seize this opportunity to showcase some of the fabulous musical talent we have in Canada. Simple Plan? Hedley? Really? A string of Idol-style performances from people only CTV's eTalk audience would have heard of? Very, very disappointing. After the high of the hockey gold, this was a very anti-climactic and shameful ending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lehari Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Like I wrote in another topic this wasn't everybody's CC, it was reserved only for Canadians. All these speeches about how great Canada is and how proud they are to be Canadians. Why on earth Canadians want to make their Olympic CC such an pathetic Hollywood show? In the end what was this CC all about? A bad rock concert saved (partly) with the help of Sochi2014 handover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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