London Olympic Games open with Bond, Bean, McCartney

Olympics Jul. 28, 2012 - 11:10AM JST ( 50 )

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50 Comments

5

CarcharodonJul. 28, 2012 - 07:19AM JST

Awesome ceremony. I really enjoyed that.
3

LostinNagoyaJul. 28, 2012 - 08:09AM JST

Olympics may not be the same as they used to be, but it is one of very few occasions when we feel we are sharing the same Earth.
5

LunchboxJul. 28, 2012 - 09:20AM JST

Looked like 'The Hobbit'. Awesome though!
1

BaibaikinJul. 28, 2012 - 09:34AM JST

Fantastic ceremony. Well worth getting up at 5am for!! Well done to Danny Boyle and the multitudes of others who must be giving themselves a well-deserved pat on the back for a great show.
9

TigersTokyoDomeJul. 28, 2012 - 09:35AM JST

Mr Bean ribbing fun out of the London Symphony Orchestra. Fantastic.
1

Mark_McCrackenJul. 28, 2012 - 10:05AM JST

Lesbian Kissing - I wonder if it got censored anywhere.
2

Harry_GattoJul. 28, 2012 - 10:06AM JST

Excellent and well worth getting up early for. (I have just realised that Danny Boyle did NOT do the Daz adverts).
1

BurakuminDesJul. 28, 2012 - 10:31AM JST

Couldn't drag myself out of bed at that ridiculous hour - but well worth watching the highlights package! Mr Boyle's best production since Trainspotting I reckon! Good job, Pommies!
2

YongYangJul. 28, 2012 - 10:38AM JST

All that history. All that which has been created, Mr Boyle and Britian did a good job there. Some American commentators thought Isambard Kingdom Brunel was Abe Lincoln! Have a safe Olympics everyone.
6

hatsoffJul. 28, 2012 - 10:40AM JST

I'm watching the re-run of events on NHK as I write. Jerusalem, I Vow To Thee My Country, The Industrial Revolution, the blackened faces of miners and engineers, Mr Bean, Mary Poppins, the NHS...fantastic! I'm not sure how much it will all mean to non-Brits, but as a Brit I thought it was great. Jolly spiffing and all that. Time for a cuppa.
1

noriyosan73Jul. 28, 2012 - 11:08AM JST

Excellent uniforms, very professional even if they are supposed to be "amateurs."! The Japanese team does not look like a branch of the USA military, which is exactly how the Yanks look at their team. Good luck to all the participants from all the countries.
0

noriyosan73Jul. 28, 2012 - 11:12AM JST

The presentation, what the spectators saw at the ceremony AND on television were the same, unlike the special effects enhancement by countries that do not present reality to their people or the world. Great show.
-9

JimizoJul. 28, 2012 - 11:15AM JST

The NHS scene was fitting. Perhaps we'd all be better off if they ploughed some much needed money into one of our national treasures rather than into this pantomime.
-5

INFOWARSJAPANJul. 28, 2012 - 11:48AM JST

No Pink Floyd??
2

SenseNotSoCommonJul. 28, 2012 - 11:51AM JST

What a show! I can think of a few countries that might benefit from a bit of self deprecation, championing a National Health Service and celebrating social diversity.

Hope 'Mitt the Twit', as he was dubbed by Fleet Street, was watching and eating his words.
1

shanabelleJul. 28, 2012 - 11:53AM JST

The Queen and Mr Bean were fantastic! The Arctic Monkeys were a tad tone deaf!!! Overall a very good show! Well done London, let the games begin!
5

HansNFranzJul. 28, 2012 - 12:17PM JST

Wow, that was a great opening. And that's coming from a cynical someone who is usually bored senseless by these ceremonies. I'm glad that Ricky Gervais didn't make an appearance. Also, watching this when living in Japan, it hit me that such greatness couldn't be possibly produced in a country where individualism is seen as a dangerous, selfish thing and new, different, maybe even slightly provocative ideas would never make it through in order to "keep things harmonious". Who'd have thought the Olympic opening ceremony would make me crave moving back to Europe. We are truly the greatest continent.
-7

AlphaapeJul. 28, 2012 - 01:30PM JST

What a show! I can think of a few countries that might benefit from a bit of self deprecation, championing a National Health Service and celebrating social diversity.

@ SenseNotSoCommon: I guess that is a stab at the USA.

Hope 'Mitt the Twit', as he was dubbed by Fleet Street, was watching and eating his words.

I am sure Mitt was watching, but at least he wasn't picking his nails as the Queen was when her country's team was marching in. So much for excitement I guess.
-2

paulinusaJul. 28, 2012 - 01:35PM JST

Overall, i enjoyed the ceremonies, but I hate to be a spoilsport. The beginning seemed a little "dark" and was less of a celebration it should have been. Mr. Bean provided some light moments, but even the Queen couldn't manage a smile.
-10

zurcroniumJul. 28, 2012 - 02:00PM JST

Wow. The opening ceremony will test positive for something tomorrow with the mandatory fluids test. It was too weird for words. A tribute to hospital beds? A big plastic baby? Smokestacks appearing on the field?

We have known this for a long time but this 2012 opening is the last nail in the coffin of the British empire.

The Chinese opening ceremony was just rerated as an 11 from its former 9.2.
5

BurakuminDesJul. 28, 2012 - 02:06PM JST

Also, watching this when living in Japan, it hit me that such greatness couldn't be possibly produced in a country where individualism is seen as a dangerous, selfish thing and new, different, maybe even slightly provocative ideas would never make it through in order to "keep things harmonious".

I dunno - I reckon Japan could do a spectacular job too if they nab the 2020 Games. But I think, just like their Chinese and Korean cousins, their ceremony would be a lot more serious, formal and certainly not humorous like the Brits have done. Brits and Aussies love tacking the mickey out of themselves- we also saw that in Sydney 2000. I reckon this was one of the best, have to agree.
-4

JeffLeeJul. 28, 2012 - 02:29PM JST

No Jaguar E-type? I'm disappointed.
-10

USA_goldJul. 28, 2012 - 03:14PM JST

I found it preachy. But then it is England...
4

soal158Jul. 28, 2012 - 03:29PM JST

The opening ceremony was awesome.
2

oyamamanJul. 28, 2012 - 03:31PM JST

And once again we show the world how to do it properly
3

m6bobJul. 28, 2012 - 03:35PM JST

Great opening! Love Mr. Bean, Beckham, Bond & Beatle McCartney. How are they going to remove all the greenery stuff? London 2012 is so much hipper than Beijing 2008.
4

JDB829Jul. 28, 2012 - 03:37PM JST

Absolutely spectacular! Bring on the compition!
3

HowardSternJul. 28, 2012 - 03:41PM JST

@infowarsjapan: Pink Floyd was blasting as the fireworks were going off.
3

SimondBJul. 28, 2012 - 03:59PM JST

So different from other olympic fireworks and dancing displays. Splendid!

But did anyone else notice when the German team came through some official or politician doing a wave that looked dangerously close to a hitler salute?

Go Japan girls tomorrow against sweden.

Pink Floyd, David Bowie...even a bit of sex pistols mixed in. What more could you ask for from a UK Olympics?

Sorry Paul..........Naa, Naa, Naa, Nananana..................
-10

chiisaishimaJul. 28, 2012 - 04:04PM JST

I was so looking forward to the ceremony and woke up in the wee hours on sat morning to watch it. Sad to say I was totally disappointed. It sucked big time! They tried to put on a musical show on a soccer field and failed at it miserably. It was chaotic with multiple scenes happening at the same time. Well, if they wanted Pandemonium they sure created one alright! . The queen's entrance to the ceremony was undignified and made worst when they have children dressed in pyjamas singing "God Save the Queen". The officers who carried the flags did not march in-sync. I don't expect them to march like Communist soldiers but the way they march made me wonder if they are really soldiers or actors. The acting was mediocre btw.

And when it couldn't get any worst they start rolling out hospital beds with "patients" wondering aimlessly on the field as the first performance for the Queen. Poor concept, poor execution and even poorer taste. It was excruciating to watch and so i went back to bed. Gutted!
3

SasorizaJul. 28, 2012 - 04:22PM JST

The ceremony was fine, they aimed to do something completely different than the Chinese, and did-nice free show.

The ceremony aside , did you see that beefcake from Fiji? Mmmm...
1

Ranger_Miffy2Jul. 28, 2012 - 05:22PM JST

Great! Now, I am really ready for the Games.
5

Thunderbird2Jul. 28, 2012 - 05:37PM JST

Zurconium:

Wow. The opening ceremony will test positive for something tomorrow with the mandatory fluids test. It was too weird for words. A tribute to hospital beds? A big plastic baby? Smokestacks appearing on the field?

It's called being creative rather than derivative.

We have known this for a long time but this 2012 opening is the last nail in the coffin of the British empire.

What? That comment makes no sense at all and just seems to smack of sour grapes.

What I noticed from the entrance of the athletes is that America is a colonial power. Not only Guam, but also American Samoa? And what was with the berets? The US team looked like a cross between the US Air Force and boy scouts/girl guides.

I thought it was a spectacular ceremony, and the lighting of the over 200 torches which became one was just beautiful.
0

TasendiaJul. 28, 2012 - 06:19PM JST

LOL I forgot about it and did not watch it. Though I did see the end when my partner switched it on. I saw the final stage of the torch and Paul McCartney sing (I was surprised with how he sounded as when I saw him at Glasgow he sounded great)

To be honest, I am not a fan of the Olympics and after seeing it reported so much in the media (I have managed to avoid the majority if thankfully) I will be glad when this event is over.
0

Antonios_MJul. 28, 2012 - 08:05PM JST

To be honest (and I know that many of the members are going to hate me for that), I didn't like it. It was more like an entertaining musical with lot of dance, funny moments with James Bond and Mr. Bean, tributes to the industrial revolution, the Queen, the NHS, etc.....but all these, in my view, were far from the Olympic Spirit and completely pointless. Especially the part with the "social media" thing....it was so awful that I was almost going to turn off the TV. Really, I was expecting much much more.

To sum up: Was it an entertaining ceremony? Yes it was. Was it an unforgettable ceremony close to the Olympic Spirit? No, it was not. But then again, after watching the 2004 Opening Ceremony, maybe my standards are set too high.
-1

HowardSternJul. 28, 2012 - 08:14PM JST

Most annoying was the French language announcements. What was up with that?
2

INFOWARSJAPANJul. 28, 2012 - 08:42PM JST

@HowardStern

@infowarsjapan: Pink Floyd was blasting as the fireworks were going off.

Thanks! I haven't seen this yet. I was hoping there would be some Floyd.
3

BurakuminDesJul. 28, 2012 - 09:26PM JST

Most annoying was the French language announcements. What was up with that?

A little something to do with French being the official lingua-franca of the Olympics (along with English). Sure - many would argue it should be in a more practical and widely used lingo like Mandarin - but traditions die hard...
0

Thomas Michael LewisJul. 28, 2012 - 09:54PM JST

@Lunchbox,

you must remember the Hobbit is based off of English rural life ^_-
0

Thomas Michael LewisJul. 28, 2012 - 09:56PM JST

I personally think it was marvellous. The OC is about introducing the host nation, China showed their history in their domineering control freak way, Britain showed her history in her care free, humourous way.

To those who think China didnt pay tribute to her history I suggest you watch Beijing again and take note of the Printing performance dance and co.
0

Thomas Michael LewisJul. 28, 2012 - 10:00PM JST

Apparently the first lesbian kiss on Saudi Arabian television lol
-2

It"S MEJul. 28, 2012 - 10:02PM JST

Sounds like it was a good opening. Couldn't be arsed to wake up and and to watch as I had nice warm body next to me too.

Still like the Sidney opening big fan of Tap-dogs. Only thing that could have ruined the London opening would have been a mass performance of Riverdance, did they?

Also sorry I missed the Rowan Atkinson performance.
1

BertieWoosterJul. 28, 2012 - 10:26PM JST

Superb!!!
-1

UsagitoSaruJul. 28, 2012 - 11:01PM JST

queen of hearts battling voldemort?? The only people I saw battling the bad guys was an army of Mary Poppins.
1

maglev101Jul. 29, 2012 - 02:11AM JST

Also, watching this when living in Japan, it hit me that such greatness couldn't be possibly produced in a country where individualism is seen as a dangerous, selfish thing and new, different, maybe even slightly provocative ideas would never make it through in order to "keep things harmonious".

to each his/her own - whatever works for a society. japan's not doing that badly relative to most "individualistic" countries. anyway, you say "such greatness", some say it's ok. portions of the ceremony were quite boring actually.
0

stuart_jukesJul. 29, 2012 - 03:07AM JST

Chisaiishima "*

The officers who carried the flags did not march in-sync A little difficult when half have the flag in their left hand and half in their right. Howard Stern ">Most annoying was the French language announcements. What was up with that? French is the official language of the Modern Olympics I'm British and biased but I loved it....although there were of course a few "dodgy" moments : The Social Networking section seemed a little pointless. Then, we are very proud of our musical heritage but the last time I looked at an atlas Dublin (U2) was in the Republic of Ireland, our Queen should have had an early night, and yeah...I'm sure that German guy was handing out Nazi salutes. Oh, and of course Sir Paul should have given up when he still had credibility. Other than than as a Briton I'm very proud of what we did last night and was just as proud of the French team who walked in holding both Union Jacks and the Drapeau Tricolore (London was awarded these games over Paris ). Well done Great Britain, well done France and well done everyone else involved.
0

JohhnyGlitterballJul. 29, 2012 - 03:27AM JST

@it`s me

You had Pink Nori at your place? Well done, very pleased for you!!
-5

zurcroniumJul. 29, 2012 - 04:24AM JST

The whole thing was like a bad high school play gone off the rails. At some points it was down right creepy.

I was expecting a tribute to mayonnaise at one point.

Only the homers on this thread are saying it was decent, because lets be honest the UK has so little to cheer about. Deep recession, horrible leadership at the moment, the whole fox news bugging scandal, the english team getting bounced out again in the Euro, and now a hugely expensive opening show that made the rest of the world thing the English are really as goofy as imagined. And it was way too long. Boyles Slum Dog Millionaire only ran 120 minutes, last night was 240 plus.
1

JohhnyGlitterballJul. 29, 2012 - 04:39AM JST

@zurcronium

What has Fox News bugging scandal go to do with Britain?

I am British, didnt see and dont care, Like to read from both sides, those who liked those who disliked.

Not really interested in nation bashing though as it is borders on racism and is better left on the school playgrounds.
-4

JeffLeeJul. 29, 2012 - 06:46AM JST

the whole fox news bugging scandal,

Zurconium, you're obviously a well informed individual with astute powers of observation. I'm really impressed by the deep insight and accuracy of your above post.