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was AWESOME!! Don't you think? Their traditional costumes and dances, and the colors involved are just magnificent!

I was especially amazed by the 2008-strong military drummers at the beginning..the unison and dicipline it took for them to produce such formations were just brilliant..apparently that opening performance was kept a secret from the public until yesterday to surprise the audiences worldwide..and it certainly did me..I enjoyed it very much.

What did you guys think about it?

My, wasn't that purty! Talk on TV is it's possibly the best opening ceremony seen.

Yay! A third thread on the same topic in one day! Who didn't see that coming .

meninlove said
Talk on TV is it's possibly the best opening ceremony seen.

It was the most expensive, if nothing else.

blink777 saidYay! A third thread on the same topic in one day! Who didn't see that coming .

oops yea i didn't realize there were other threads on this until you mentioned

http://www.realjock.com/gayforums/254886/

but it was so awesome it was worth 3 threads

Hey blink,

I tried not to think of that ($$$), or my tendency to think about the last 2 weeks of newscasts with Peter Mansbridge (and getting angry at the Chinese government) would have me tossing the TV through the picture window. Them's expensive, too.

meninlove said
... Peter Mansbridge...

Ohhhh my god. Didn't you just want to jump into the screen and beat the crap out of him and Ron MacLean during the ceremonies. "And now they are raising the rings..." WE CAN SEE THAT YOU FUCKTARD. SHUT IT!

,,,I think it was for the blind people watching TV...er, never mind (where's Emily Littella when you need 'er, eh?)

Guys I missed it! Any good reference for a high quality video streaming???????? please PLEASE

The ceremony kinda made me want to do men from around the world. But hey, it is Friday night.

groundcombat saidThe ceremony kinda made me want to do men from around the world. But hey, it is Friday night.

OMG exactly what I was thinking lol

All that trillion dollar light show and toxic fireworks display...boring...I liked all the hot guys from all over the world walking proudly with their flags.

astroxaun said

groundcombat saidThe ceremony kinda made me want to do men from around the world. But hey, it is Friday night.

OMG exactly what I was thinking lol

Yeah, I noticed some hot athletes marching through the birds nest tonight. It's like a buffet.

Mikesw saidI liked all the hot guys from all over the world walking proudly with their flags.

I've never been more proud of my country than when I saw Canada's flag bearer stealing the show from Guana (I believe?) while they were being introduced. The guy was waving his flag like a maniac before Canada was even brought out haha!

Bigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

Stop lyeing to yourself. China brought it. That entire ceremony was basically them laughing in the worlds faces telling them how much smarter they are. The count down in the beginning was so god damn impressive i STILL cant believe they were human. I swear I thought it was computers doing all of that. The entire thing was just spectacular. I realllly do feel sorry for London, they just cannot compete, they just don't have the culture to take it their like China did. The technology, the precision, the excution ! Is there anything China CAN'T do? I still can't get past the fireworks made to look like footsteps approaching over the stadium.

If you have enough time and enough money you can do anything. I just wish they would have spent the $43,000,000,000.000 on something besides flashing lights. I hope this spectacle somehow motivates the ruling class to solve the deprivation in their country, especially after a catastrophe.

AMAZING! The torch lighting was absolutely the best part!

BostonBryan saidIf you have enough time and enough money you can do anything. I just which they would have spent the $43,000,000,000.000 on something besides flashing lights. I hope this spectacle somehow motivates the ruling class to solve the deprivation in their country, especially after a catastrophe.

I was thinking similarly about how else that money could be used. But I know in China's case, it's more about their "branding" and proving themselves beyond the latest headlines about their toys with lead. I hope future events can be toned down a bit more.

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

No one could ever belittle what China accomplished last night it was absolutely amazing and technologically beautiful, however I would still say that this had a much different feel than Athens or Atlanta which seemed to be Artists meets Athlete this one seemed much more Artists meets China meets military.

In the end each opening since I have been watching in 1984 has had some sort of amazing quality. In my opinion there has never had a more dramatic flame lighting than 1992's archery.

I said it in one of the other threads, but that show was the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life. Did anyone else think the last torch bearer almost fell from the roof when his cable support moved up at the top? I almost peed my pants when that happened.

I also agree that the Barcelona harchery torch lighting was the most dramatic.

The last torch bearer's cable support slipped like that to put him at an angle to "run" around the top of the stadium. It could have been a smoother transition.

It was truly jaw-dropping! Technically, it was a marvel to watch. The sheer scale of the production was breath-taking. I watched parts of it over and over again...especially when Team Brazil appeared - YUMMMM!

Sucks to be London in 2012

True...would NOT want to follow that act. I can only imagine what the Closing Cermonies will bring.

London will bring it. I have faith.

Malibu said

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

Stop lyeing to yourself. China brought it. That entire ceremony was basically them laughing in the worlds faces telling them how much smarter they are. ... Is there anything China CAN'T do? ...

The one obvious thing China can't (won't) do is to deliver freedom and democracy to their people. I find it sad that these Olympics will be used as a propaganda tool by the state; not unlike the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

China has officially ruined the Olympics for me. The entire show was so cool, I especially like the "Confucius" segment with the moving boxes and the simulation of water and wind. I also loved the complete utilization of the National Stadium. I hope that London can produce something good, even though the design of their Olympic stadium really isn't that attractive or interesting.

so totaly awesome.. ok, we all said that ;-) but it was. the lighting of the cauldron was amazing - but nothing still can beat the flaming arrow we saw at Barcelona in 1992. beyond that, the Beijing Opening Ceremony was probably the best yet. and the footsteps from tianamen sq to the birds nest - waaaay cool

Not lying to myself -- it's a matter of taste. Some of the elements of last night's show were fantastic. The fireworks were incredible. I also agree with spinningguy about the torch lighting in Barcelona by the archer as being the most impressive one I've seen.

I did find both flag raisings (the Chinese and Olympic flags) by goose stepping Chinese soldiers to be somewhat off-putting. I prefer it when Olympians or other citizens of the host nation have that honor.

London 2012 is currently shitting itself, we are spending less on our entire games than the Chinese did on their opening ceremony.

So I'm thinking, Billie Piper, Chas 'N' Dave and a few morris dancers for the opening!

I think the UK being the creative place that it is right now, LDN 2012 will do the nation proud, though do we need anymore pride than we already have, beating the French to host the games was enough for me.

It was stunning, breathtaking, tech toys all over the place. What was lacking was a SOUL. I found the entire thing a well rehearsed exercise - much like China's athletes - do it for country but there's no heart. I got the "ownership" regarding their history. We all got that. And don't get me started on that hellishly bad song. Thank goodness the fireworks drowned out half of it. It was Cirque du Soleil on steroids but at least Cirque gives you a story line or something to care about. London might not be as glitzy, but all they have to do is bring the human element back and they will trump this "hot tranny mess". The kids handing over the flag to the soldiers??? WTF??

sundayswim said I hope they focus more on the athletes and their stories in 2012. Escpecially the underdogs from countries you dont hear about often and who have have battled the odds just to get there. Celebrate them.

This is the UK, underdogs are what we do best. I'm so hyped about our Olympics, have been since I was in Trafalgar Square at the moment it was announced!!!

That was the most amazing opening EVER, I just watched it yesterday night on NBC, I was so amazed with the performance. So much accurate, it was really unbelievable. I dont think Athens was better actually Sidney was even better than Athens, it was good and artistic, but when you are in 2008 you want technology have the feeling that you are in a different world. Beijing was seriously all about technology and tones of people doing the most perfect shapes ever, the screen in the top of the stadium the LCD panel on the floor, it was really a 2008 Olympic Ceremony.

thats all i can say

Malibu said:

Is there anything China CAN'T do?

Yeah, they kinda suck at free speech, the freedom to assemble, and they also suck at property rights - so, yeah there are a number a things China can't do.

Overall the best opening ceremonies I have seen. The most original, best choreographed and yes the most expensive. But at least they spent money on something people around the world will remember with joy. The sporting events may pale in comparison.

UTB1 saidMalibu said:

Is there anything China CAN'T do?

Yeah, they kinda suck at free speech, the freedom to assemble, and they also suck at property rights - so, yeah there are a number a things China can't do.

Thank you. Finally a post addressing the shameful behavior of the Chinese government. Yes it is amazing what you can accomplish with a government uncontaminated with the rights of its people. I SUPPORT the athletes in their individual events, but will not watch the ceremonies which attempt, if not succeed to show China in positive light. I urge others to do the same.

NIcely put, Yakko.

It was an amazing opening. There was so much that made my jaw drop. By the time they lit the torch though I was really getting bored. Also the torch lighting was like a let down to me. After all the amazing stuff before they just had the guy run in the air? It was so long with him going around and then a quick trip and it was lit. Not as exciting as others and the cauldron isn't that impressive. Overall they did a good job.

After seeing many OC, I was amazed at this one the most!

There were several things I would like to see other's reactions to and comments.

In the wonderful, complex Tai-Chi, boxes and other multi person phases, the precision was awesome but I noticed ALL of guys doing it were about the same age, build, all clean shaven and all with the same haircut! Oh, and also MEGA attractive!

It seemed much of the show had an underlying military tone as well.

What do you guys think?

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

I was very impressed the opening ceremony but have to agree with the above quote... Pretty hard to top the erotic-charged opening of Athens 04.
Still loved this one...

msw1 saidAll that trillion dollar light show and toxic fireworks display...boring...I liked all the hot guys from all over the world walking proudly with their flags.

After a month to digest and comment on what I remember, I too thought that the best part of the Opening Ceremonies and for that matter, any Opening Ceremony is the march of athletes. It appears that this topic thread has a lot of Canadians. And from there posts I see that Costa wasn't the only "blow hard" in love with his on voice and holding the belief that everyone watching was an idiot and needed to be force fed the Chinese propaganda.

I was quite bored with the ceremony.

The technology was amazing (but I kept wondering how many Chinese would have serviced the earth quake if a couple of the billions spend by the government on the Games had gone to constructing modern housing.)

The precision of performers was remarkable, though expected based on what their gymnast do. (One wonders if the Opening Ceremony Participants were ripped from their families for months or years of grueling training and practice as well)

And honestly, I was also a bit underwhelmed NBC's coverage of the Athletes as well. I do not know if they had to use Chinese video feeds or if they had their own camera, but I missed the spot lighting of specific athletes that NBC usually did. It appeared that there were more generic shots of athletes. In the past both NBC and ABC always seemed to give a good snap shot of both US and world athletes as they marched in the stadium. Did anyone else get that feeling?

I hope that everyone in Chicago realizes that the chances of Chicago getting the 2012 Games is slim to none. Even though Chicago is by far the best candidate and quite frankly overdue, The IOC is going to demand any future Games be publicly funded, and that ain't happening in the US. But keep bidding, because as soon as they fuck up the Olympic movement, and NBC's contract in up, the IOC will again come running to the US for an infusion of money.

USMmmm said

Malibu said

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

Stop lyeing to yourself. China brought it. That entire ceremony was basically them laughing in the worlds faces telling them how much smarter they are. ... Is there anything China CAN'T do? ...

The one obvious thing China can't (won't) do is to deliver freedom and democracy to their people. I find it sad that these Olympics will be used as a propaganda tool by the state; not unlike the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

I agree. You can ad the Moscow Olympics as well. But one thing I'm sure the Chinese did, that the Soviets failed to do was keep their people away from the international visitors. I think that one of the keys (along with the Afghan War, Reagan/Gorbachev, etc.) that led to the fall of the Soviet Union was they exposure to Western Culture that occurred during the 1980 Olympics. Even though most Western countries didn't go, there were enough western visitors during and after the Games, that the regular citizen got a talk of freedom.

Based on the experiences my friend that went to Beijing had, the Chinese government made it very difficult for normal Chinese to mingle with Westerner. It seemed to them that the Chinese they met were towing the Party line 24/7, even the young people.

over all it was an amazing show, but some of the fireworks were computer animated for tv, and a few other things were manipulated like the lip sync singing.

allgoodinhwood saidBigger isn't necessarily better. I found the Athens opening ceremonies 4 years ago to be more impressive and artistically much more beautiful.

absolutely. It's hard to knock it since I was there, and perhaps the proudest moment of my life. Walking down the arena brought tears to my eyes. But as for the spectacle itself, I thought it was overdone. The only thing it proved was that China has a LOT of people, I mean 11 0000 performers is a bit much.

Most of the other athletes werent buying the whole peace and harmony theme that was prevalent throughout, specially with China's recent human rights record. They thought it was hypocritical.

But hopefully it was a step forward in bringing openness to the country.

I think London is gonna be amazing!