Opening/Closing Ceremonies Discussion

[en2]

The route to lighting the exterior cauldron was painful to watch. Seemed so unplanned. You would have thought that they would give out hints so that the route would be lined with cheering crowds instead of people running alongside the truck.

[CLC]

Originally Posted by en2

You would have thought that they would give out hints so that the route would be lined with cheering crowds instead of people running alongside the truck.

Do you want these people know ahead and "lining up"?

[OhioGuy]

Originally Posted by Cypherus

Overall I give it a 7/10. The fiddling was weird and the overly Canadian-centric theme likely alienated many countries.

I don't think I've ever seen an opening ceremony that didn't focus on showcasing to the athletes and the world the culture/heritage of the host country.

I think my three favorite moments during the ceremony were (in no particular order):
1) The orca whales depicted on the stadium floor... the water spraying up from the blow holes was really impressive to see.
2) K.D. Lang's performance.
3) Measha Brueggergosman singing the Olympic hymn... as someone who enjoys opera, I thought her voice soared and she absolutely sold the performance.

Other than the unfortunate malfunction of one of the pillars, I thought it was a reasonably good opening ceremony. I particularly liked that they brought the athletes in early so that they could be a larger part of the entire ceremony rather than bringing them in after half of the show was already finished (which has been the norm for the Olympic opening ceremonies I've watched). I maybe would have liked to see something a little more pronounced for Quebec during the performances from the different areas of the country. Was the flying boat supposed to have something to do with the Quebecois?

[Lead]

The opening ceremonies were really good I thought.
It was too bad about the hydrolic failure, but honestly if the announcers hadn't said anything I probably wouldn't have noticed. So not that bad considering everything that could have gone wrong! Commercials during the opening ceremonies..really? Come on. Also the whole Wayne Gretzky thing at the end was..awkward. Good idea but it should have been more controlled with people lining the streets like someone else mentioned.
Overall it was great!!

How about that introduction movie, some GREAT skyline shots in there.

[SpongeG]

I am addicted to the live robson square video looks like a zoo down there now

[zivan56]

Yeah the commercials were really annoying...found it very disgusting that countries were missed because of them.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Cypherus

The songstress who sang the Canadian anthem was amazing. It was a breath of fresh air after the dull march of the RCMP....

and how should they march? There ceremony was about what it means to be Canadian, for many the RCMP is part of out identity, regardless if a few of them have fucked up of late.

[p78hub]

Overall I thought it was pretty good, and the one hydraulic failure isn't the worst thing that could have happened. I mean, at least the flame lit, right?

[SpongeG]

outdoor cauldron

• Video Link

[EdinVan]

I think the most painful part of the ceremony was listening to those awful speeches. Furlong's monotony and his butchering of the French language were just too much to bear. I was also very unimpressed with Steven Harper's complete lack of enthusiasm; it's almost like he didn't even want to be there.

[SpongeG]

yahoo: Heart-stopping error at Opening Ceremony

A mechanical malfunction during the cauldron lighting becomes gaffe seen around the world

...

and

The 10 best moments from Vancouver's Opening Ceremony

By Chris Chase

[MechMike]

the hydrolic failure is more sad because one torch bearer didn't get to light the internal cauldron

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Funny how he sounded great even without a microphone ....

KD sounded great too even when her mic was an arm's length away from her mouth.

[WarrenC12]

Good show overall. What did you expect? The indoor effects with the floor and raising stuff up and down was fantastic.

A bit of a cauldron gaffe, but it could have been way worse. Wayne is the man! Now lets win some gold!

[NetMapel]

Good ceremony overall with some slow parts. In particular, the flying guy around all the "prairie" images. I see A LOT of potential in that scene that went unused. Of course, there's also the end, starting with the cauldron problem to the somewhat awkward Gretzky ride. On the other hand, I love the killer whale, most of the native culture pieces, and tap dancing parts the most !

What's important though is that downtown is very lively right now with parties and bands everywhere Check out that Robson Square streaming site posted earlier.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by VanHowe

so are we more or less unanimous
I don't want to say this
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN
BORING

If you consider yourself and about three other tiresome cynics to constitute unanimity, then sure.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by en2

The route to lighting the exterior cauldron was painful to watch.

Wow, how horrible for you to have to endure all that pain.

[WarrenC12]

It seems like the outdoor cauldron may be a permanent fixture:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-new...cated-at-jack-poole-plaza-_274412vx.html

[MechMike]

I see some major symbolism going on here. There are only enough spots for 3 people on the podium. Only enough for 3. Three pillars rose and were bathed in glory. as the fourth did not. Although there are five olympic rings and four pillars with the main cauldron in the center adding up to five. Its still a bit odd.

[SpongeG]

• Video Link