Jump to content

Closing Ceremony


Recommended Posts

Oh man, imagine if "Queen" does Radio Ga Ga. Imagine that whole stadium clapping along at the right moments.

No Freddie = No Queen. But we are going to see a rock concert andand a samba dance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm ashamed of the handover segment...

it looks not so good

Hmmm, I think we had good music, but tooooooooo long and toooooooooo british...

Well, I liked the Opening more than the Closing...

7/10

me too the opening is better for me!!!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmm, I think we had good music, but tooooooooo long and toooooooooo british...

Well, I liked the Opening more than the Closing...

7/10

It stretched a bit longer (15-20 min, I think) but it was totally worth it.

Too british? If there's a place the Olympic host country can show off boundlessly their culture, it's at the closing ceremony... At least, most of the world knew the guest stars, unlike the Greek concert that was Athens' closing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It stretched a bit longer (15-20 min, I think) but it was totally worth it.

Too british? If there's a place the Olympic host country can show off boundlessly their culture, it's at the closing ceremony... At least, most of the world knew the guest stars, unlike the Greek concert that was Athens' closing.

They must be "British" in their ceremony, of course, otherwise it would be the funniest thing ever!

But I mean, the show was more to British audience than International one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the Eric Idle segment should have been at the end or just before the protocol driven elements as it seemed to bring the house down, and was very clever, sending up the mainstays of british ceremonial - pipe bands and multiculti dross - whilst never quite dismissing them, or morris dancers for that matter.

There were some nice touches - letting the athletes stream through the crowds, the 'rio' handover ceremony dancers moshing with their 'london' counterparts to The Who, quite different from the London handover, which, confined to a small part of the Bird's Nest, seemed to show Beijing saying take your 8 minutes, take your scruffy mayor and p off thank you very much,

The cauldron looked better going out than it did being ignited. Not sure that's praise for its primary function, but it did look a little funky floating like an inverted bowl on the track.

The rest was the kind of middle of the road rock marathon that has endured since the charity concerts of the 80s, multi generational safe choices, nothing that would upset your grandmother.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just rewatched it on the NBC telecast (vs. the commercial-free livestreaming); and noticed a few things that I didn't in the livestreaming. The 'military escorts' for the fashion trucks were the fashion police!!! Clever touch!! Don't know why it didn't occur to me earlier.

The Symphony of British Music should actually have been retitled The Cacophony of British Noise!! IT was just too long and included too MANY 2nd tier acts I never heard of. Did they ever heard of less is more? But really enjoyed the Spice Girls reunion and Eric Idle's act. The Valkyrie woman was from his "Spamalot" show. Annie Lennox section too was very epic. Rap section was just garbage.

Rio's segment was so-so. Kinda tired and nothing innovative about it either. The NBC telecast didn't have the usual travelogue preview of the next host city featuring the venues.

The cauldron is much nicer fanned out rather than bunched up. But it's 204 little flames split up -- NOT a real cauldron in that regard.

Pacing was good. They zipped thru everything. Thankfully, NBC cut out the 2nd George Michael song.

Edited by baron-pierreIV
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had to wake up at 5am this morning to watch the ceremony and even got to work late... do I regret it..... NOPE!!! I LOVED IT!!! :D

While Sydney 2000 will always hold a special place in my heart, London's Closing was AWESOME!!! All the songs were great, I loved Emeli's performance, the Spice Girls were great too IMO and I was genuinely sad to see the flame go out. I didn't get the fire-bird segment, but the ballet dancers were interesting.

Eric Idle's segment was hilarious and I loved the Giant Inflatable Octopus that came out during Fat Boy Slim's performance. Also, was a surprise to see BOND during Russell Brand's part.

Bit strange for me seeing Take That, without Robbie Williams.... but all in all, great performances.... Well Done London!!! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where was Elvis Costello? Elton John? Girl George? The Rolling Stones, considering this is their 50th Anniversary year? They picked so many minor acts.

But overall, I think I enjoyed the Closing much more than the Opening even though I am not familiar nor care for many of the bands featured.

Can anybody explain what Batman & Robin were doing there? They're American comic characters. How did they get into a very British show??

Edited by baron-pierreIV
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can anybody explain what Batman & Robin were doing there? They're American comic characters. How did they get into a very British show??

The three-wheeled yellow van at the start of the show is a vehicle from the classic British comedy 'Only Fools & Horses' starring David Jason. One episode, which is now iconic, featured the main stars in fancy dress as Batman and Robin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYBd7999qqo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh other than Spice girls, the best performance of the night was Elbow too.

Muse's Survival is very underwhelming performed live. It doesn't seem to be arousing the crowd, not a lot in Vic Park were moving much too...

Edited by kevzz
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great show, great games and I would say the best closing ceremony ever staged...

But I am going to let it sink in for a few days before I say anymore.

It's been alot of fun of these threads, thanks to all for making my olympics that much better!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...