Scorpiox Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 May this be the topic for all discussion of the London 2012 Olympic games that have just begun this summer. Whether it be predictions, ideas, plans and opinions; do it all here. To start off, what are all your thoughts on last night's opening ceremony? I think that Danny Boyle did an excellent job of organising the show, with its various British quirks and humour. I was pleasantly surprised with the scenes of history panning out on green pastures inside the stadium, and it was great to see the cauldron lit by a selection of young athletes, each nominated by a famous medalist. The hundreds of flame petals rising up to form one fire was very interesting too. I got a real feeling of national pride during the festivities, and I believe that the show gave a true represenation of British culture and personality. The section with Her Majesty apparently parachute jumping out of a helicopter with Daniel Craig, and the part with Rowan Atkinson playing Chariots of Fire, I found very amusing. I'm curious to see how people overseas understood and appreciated what was going on, especially the humour. Let the talks begin! Quote
Mr Man Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I started watching the opening ceremony, I recorded it to finish today. It was good, very quirky. Though I'd like to hear some non British peoples opinions of it. Quote
Masked Builder Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I quite liked it, I fell asleep for the second half of the parade of nations, it's boring anyways, but I was awake for the last 45 minutes. The Chariots of Fire bit was pretty darn good, as well as the queen and Bond jumping out of the copter. I really like the beginning bit too, all of those changes were pretty sweet, and then the torch was a great idea. I can't wait to see swimming today! Quote
AwesomeStar Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I'm normally incredibly cynical about this sort of thing but I did watch it and I'll come clean, it put a smile on my face. Quote
Spider-Man Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Personally I didn't like it too much. I mean it had a lot to live up to with Beijing from 4 years ago but even still I think it fell a little short. I to am super excited for the swimming today! Quote
The Legonater Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Personally I didn't like it too much. I mean it had a lot to live up to with Beijing from 4 years ago but even still I think it fell a little short. Really? I had the opposite opinion- I don't remember Beijing being very exciting. Personally, it was a great performance. The opening part showing the history was very well done- the transition into the industrial age was flawless! Also, the inclusions of Rowan Atkinson and Daniel Craig really added some classic British humor to the whole thing. And while the 4 Decades of Music became a little irritating towards the end (four decades isn't going to please everyone all the way through, naturally-we all have different tastes) the performances by the volunteers was very well done. The whole idea of the pedals from all the countries coming together under one torch still blows me away. Quote
Mr Man Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Also, the inclusions of Rowan Atkinson and Daniel Craig really added some classic British humor to the whole thing. And while the 4 Decades of Music became a little irritating towards the end (four decades isn't going to please everyone all the way through, naturally-we all have different tastes) the performances by the volunteers was very well done. The whole idea of the pedals from all the countries coming together under one torch still blows me away. We don't have humor, we have humour . The must was bad towards the end, Gangster culture is not something I would have put in the spotlight. Quote
Scorpiox Posted July 28, 2012 Author Posted July 28, 2012 We don't have humor, we have humour . The must was bad towards the end, Gangster culture is not something I would have put in the spotlight. In the same way that we have no honor in this country, but a fair bit of honour. I was also quite dissappointed that Dizzee Rascal got about twice as much time as classics like Bohemian Rhapsody (Which was voted the Nation's Favourite No.1 Single by ITV viewers). But I guess that was trying to convey the tastes of the new generation. I thought that the Arctic Monkeys were alright, with their performance holding a lot of atmosphere. Quote
Brickdoctor Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I sat through the whole thing while I ran the latest Round of our massive Heroica final battle. I really liked the scenes in pastoral and industrial England; but then they got to the more modern performances. The dreams sequence started out well, but then they brought out the villains, which I thought was confusing considering that this is supposed to be a celebration, and ended with that giant baby that was just weird. The digital age performance was too modern for my tastes. On the positive side, the Chariots of Fire scene was amusing and fitting at the same time, and very well done; and I was pleasantly surprised that the Parade of Nations got finished so quickly. The forming of the Olympic Cauldron was done nicely as well. Quote
Spider-Man Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I agree with the lighting of the flame. That and the fireworks after were by far the highlight of the ceremony to me! It was an incredible way to light the torch! On another note I seem to have missed the Queen parachuting out of a helicopter? Was it just some kind of stunt double or something? Quote
Wardancer Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 (edited) I (a German) liked the bit with Mr. Bean best. To me, it showed that Britain is able to be self-ironic because he was integrated in that orchestra, a sincere institution, and subverted its ernestness while maintaining class. I watched it with a Japanese girl and she mentioned that something like this would never have been possible when the Games were held in China. Europe showed its cultural heritage as well as their modern self-irony, which less enlightened countried often lack as well as diversity. Also I agree with German newspaper articles which stated that such an amount of globally famous personalitities (the Queen, Mc Cartney etc.) would not have worked in Leipzig and the other German city that applied for the Games. Edited July 28, 2012 by Wardancer Quote
The Legonater Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 We don't have humor, we have humour . We have the same in Canada too Quote
Bilbo Baggins Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I can't believe Phelps got 4th place, Lochte was impressive though. Quote
Leo604 Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 China won the first gold, and in shooting! :D Wonder what they says to the Western world... Quote
Spider-Man Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I can't believe Phelps got 4th place, Lochte was impressive though. Lochte will continue to impress. I don't know how much the rest of the world keeps up with it, but him and Phelps have been pretty even the last two years and this year it seems he is on another level. I think Phelps can still win a few golds but Lochte is where it's at this year! Quote
sologuy369 Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I agree with the lighting of the flame. That and the fireworks after were by far the highlight of the ceremony to me! It was an incredible way to light the torch! On another note I seem to have missed the Queen parachuting out of a helicopter? Was it just some kind of stunt double or something? For the scenes in the helicopter, it was bright out. But the ceremony was at night. They would never do that to the queen! Entertaining, nonetheless. Quote
Spider-Man Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Thanks for letting me know! I didn't think they would throw the Queen out of a helicopter but hey it's the Olympics so you never know! Great 4 by 100 relay today. Too bad Lochte couldn't hang on to it, but the French had one hell of a race! Quote
Jimbobulus Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. I normally hate those sorts of things. I am glad everyone else seemed to enjoy Mr Bean/Bond etc. Anyone got any medal predictions, or predictions of the final medal table standings? I think the top 5 will be : 1. China 2. USA 3. Russia 4. GB 5. Aus Also expecting Lochte to win more than Phelps, GBR to dominate track cycling, some GB gymnastics medals, GB just to dominate Aus in the rowing.... oh and Blake to beat Bolt. Quote
Brickdoctor Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. I normally hate those sorts of things. I am glad everyone else seemed to enjoy Mr Bean/Bond etc. Anyone got any medal predictions, or predictions of the final medal table standings? Thus far, the standings seem to be following a similar pattern as they did in Beijing. The US and China are close at the top of the medal standings; no real indication yet of which will come out on top in total medal count when all's said and done, but more than half of China's medals are gold, and standings are sorted first according to number of gold medals, not by number of total medals. Quote
Jimbobulus Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Thus far, the standings seem to be following a similar pattern as they did in Beijing. The US and China are close at the top of the medal standings; no real indication yet of which will come out on top in total medal count when all's said and done, but more than half of China's medals are gold, and standings are sorted first according to number of gold medals, not by number of total medals. I know.. I did do a Sport Development Degree Off the top of my head, China topped Beijing with less medals, but more Golds than USA. Anyway, have bought tickets for the Bronze medal match Mens football. Trying to buy some athletics tickets too, I am queued.. already been unsuccessful for two days of athletics *stupid system* Quote
XimenaPaulina Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 Anyone got any medal predictions, or predictions of the final medal table standings? Thus far, the standings seem to be following a similar pattern as they did in Beijing. The US and China are close at the top of the medal standings; no real indication yet of which will come out on top in total medal count when all's said and done, but more than half of China's medals are gold, and standings are sorted first according to number of gold medals, not by number of total medals. It's safe to say that China and US will be the top 2, and I'm seeing China topping both the gold and total medal count this time around. I think they were slightly disappointed last time in Beijing and they're probably hell-bent on topping both medal tallies in London and claim supremacy in Olympic competition. And for the sport I care about, my fearless forecast will be Team USA successfully defending their basketball crown. Quote
Mr Man Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 Darn and drat, missed Silver in Men's Gymnastics. Quote
Jimbobulus Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 Phelps the most successful Olympian ever! I bow down to your skills Mr Phelps. Also, finally a Gold for GB today I think! Quote
Bilbo Baggins Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 Second silver medal for Mexico in diving, and we beat Switzerland in football Quote
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