2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony
Wow, was everyone as amazed as I was by the opening ceremony in China last night? I thought it was incredible! My jaw kept dropping with display after display, especially all the tricks they were doing using that LED screen on the bottom of the stadium. And that thing is huge! It kept expanding for all the different acts, and I kept wondering just how large it was going to get!
I was especially blown away at the beginning when the Olympic rings suddenly looked like they were being lifted off the LED screen and rose to hang in the air. Same thing when the dancers were “painting” on the scroll and when they were finished, it began to unfold off the ground into the air. How did they do that?! Wires? Is it some kind of hologram or lasers? However they did it, it was unbelievably cool and I was just awestruck. Like the announcers kept saying, it was truly like watching a movie unfold in real life, complete with special effects and epic music. Zhang Yimou has style like no other; no wonder he’s such an acclaimed director.
I also loved the part when the Mahjong tiles (edit: oops, this was a printing press. Duh, I should know better) were moving up and down like waves and it was funny how everyone gasped when at the end, all these people suddenly popped out of the tiles and it was revealed that humans had been creating that effect the entire time, not machines or hydraulics or anything like that. I admit I gasped too, because they synchronized so precisely and in time with each other. It was flawless; I didn’t see any mistakes, but damn, how long did they have to rehearse and practice to get that right?!
It was totally amazing. I admit, the Chinese have issues they seriously need to work on (human rights violations, that nasty smog hanging over the major cities, etc) but I’ve got to give them props for their kickass technology and for putting on an opening ceremony like the world’s never seen before.
I absolutely agree! I was so speechless when I watch that opening show. Totally glued to the screen and so enthusiastic on what they will do next, lol. It was amazing. the best I’ve seen in the olympics. (party)
Hehe, they were keys on a typewriter (e.g. to symbolise that the Chinese invented the printing press) rather than Mahjong tiles.
I totally agree though, I was just blown away.
Of course, every country has issues they need to work on. For instance, USA still have their unlawful detainment and torture of innocents in Guantanamo Bay, etc., which you wouldn’t expect of a ‘developed’ country.
I think a lot of people don’t realise that the central government in China are presiding over an area of land larger than the US of A, over 50 different minority groups that don’t all speak English, over people, who if left to their own rule would languish without technology and would fall further and further behind the modern world – they’d revert to their previous nomadic lifestyle, without healthcare, education, etc.
Socially, politically and historically, China is a point in their history comparable to the Civil Rights movement in America – to accuse them then of human rights violations is true to an extent, but it doesn’t take into account what stage of social development the society is at.
Your totally right. But the Chinese make me angry because we keep buying from them and yet they hate americans. ugh. But they do throw one hell of a party.
I actually didn’t see the opening ceremony but it sure sounds like a amazing spectacle. I heard that it was the most expensive opening ceremony ever. Maybe I’ll check it out on youtube.
I saw the opening ceremony! It was really excellent.
I didn’t get to see the ceremony, but I’ve heard people talking about how great it was. It actually makes me sad that I missed it.
im so mad at myself for missing it lol i had to listen to everyone talk about it haha :) maybe i can catch it on youtube haha :) anyways hun hope you have a great day
I only caught bits and pieces of it, but I’m pretty sure someone has it recorded. I’m definitely going to watch the whole thing, because the parts I did see really amazed me.
Wow! I hadn’t watched all of it, but now I actually want to, based on your description! I’m sure I’ll find it somewhere to watch – I hope!
I thought the ceremony was extremely creative, but one thing was it was too colorful for my eyes at some points, but I give them kudos for all the hard work put into it =)
Yeah, I have been amazed of the opening ceremony. I loved the falling stars a lot. It was pretty.
Unfortunately i missed the opening ceremony but i heard it was beautiful. I think i might watch it on youtube or something.
yup, i saw [most] of the opening ceremony. it was pretty awesome!
I’m glad that the comments for this entry didn’t just turn into one big “Let’s slate the Chinese”/”CHINA HATES AMERICA” session, because it’s bloody ignorant.
I was at my friend’s at the weekend when the ceremony was on, but I did catch some of it on the news. The printing press was definitely my favourite. :)
Wow, reading this makes me upset that I missed the Opening Ceremony – it sounds so epic!
About the performers – one of my friends was in the Sydney Olympics, and even though she only played a small part, she was rehearsing for nine months or so, and I’m assuming the Chinese performers would’ve rehearsed for longer. It’s such a massive thing.
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I didn’t see the opening of the Beijing Olympics, but from the amount of what I’ve read; i heard it was spectacular. I might take a gander on Youtube or something.