Yesterday was the mark of another page in the Olympic games as London of Great Britain, for the third time, holds the Olympic games. Being a proud member of the UK, I felt I must attend the ceremony and watch as my country opens up to sports that have and always will bring men together. I wanted to watch the Beijing Opening Ceremony, and found the stuff with the gigantic flags very impressive. I mean, these were huge, really, really huge, and they were using them in perfect time. I was wondering how England could ever top that. I was wondering how it even would be impressive, I did actually think the opening was going to be like a Gentleman's Club like you saw in Family Guy. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time now. I remember when I was eating my school lunch when in Primary school, and then the speakers came up and said London was liberated for the London 2012 Olympics. Everyone cheered. I didn't really know what the Olympics were at the time but it sounded pretty important. Back them, I was still playing through Megaman Battle Network 5, Team Protoman. Puts it into perceptive, really.

So now here it is, after waiting nearly a third of my life for this moment. The big moment, the time came and I watched everything unfold. I came to understand in that time what this was all about, it's origins and what it means to every country to take part in these games. I remember when I worked out I would be 18 at these games, and I felt if I worked really hard, I could represent England at that time. Such ambitions I had.... So these are my thoughts on the opening ceremony. I fell I must review this moment in time. Although I felt people were too much like "this is a moment that will last a lifetime" and all that guff, but watching the ceremony, I can't help but agree, and I feel the people in China felt the same way when they held the games, and the same when all the other countries held their games there as well. With over an estimate of 1 billion viewers, nearly a sixth of the planet watching, I’m sure you watched it as well as I have. Here are my views.

The opening ceremony opened up as choirs sang hymns over a lovely little village, where gentlemen played cricket and people were living at one with nature. This symbolized what Great Britain once, having peaceful and tranquil surroundings where life was simple and the place was covered in green. The choirs ranged from all over the country, as they sang in Wales, Ireland and Scotland (Edinburgh Castle, a rather stunning piece of architecture in the UK). There was then a man reciting Shakespeare's Tempest, and everything seemed well. It was quite a sight. Then came the transformation. The arrival of the industrial revolution, a moment in history where the British Empire began, and no other country was more powerful than us. A moment where a sixth of the world was owned by Great Britain and “the sun never set on British grounds”. We were the ones who lead the industrial revolution into what it was today.

And the transformation was magnificent, if not slightly unnerving. The tree on the hill began to rise up, and people came out of the ground of where the tree stood. Workers preparing for factories and soot filled skies as people from all corners of the stadium were walking in, taking away the green grass and the bushes and everything else, leaving the grey map of London below as this represented the change in London, their lives, and quite possibly the whole world changed with it. The way it slowly took place, where machine and nature were temporarily side by side, before more of it was stripped in the name of progress and advancement.

It was unsettling seeing those two together, seeing those gentlemen in their top-hats and fancy suits, looking around to see if everything was going to plan, with some quite …”funky” moves I suppose. Dancing gentlemen in the style of today, quite odd…but amusing none-the-less. Seeing the change in 200 years happening in just half an hour was a lot to take in. There was a certain emotion about it all when chimneys were being erected and the watermill turned into a metallic wheel of transporting molten metal. It was the start of something big. There were over 1000 drummers at the stadium, all contributing to the emotion of this change. Evelyn Glennie was the main drummer, deaf at birth; she feels the vibrations of the drums and plays accordingly, which is a very impressive thing to do. The change continued, more chimneys were erected and the introduction of molten metal (fake, but it was represented well) went through half pipes as it several workers salved over it, swinging hammers and pushing it further down the line. This must have taken a huge amount of practice to perfect. Just to think it used to be a peaceful area, now over run with factories and metal. Progress, but at what cost?  As this part draws to a close, five rings are being created and lifted into the air, slowly forming the Olympic Symbol, five rings to represent five continents, which ended in a spectacular shower of sparkles. I have mixed feeling about this, really. On one hand, the whole thing was magnificent, but on the other, it reminded me of Mother 3, and how Tazmily Village changed in the course of that game. Is this really the way forward? It probably was at the time.

After this, we see a short five minute film plays as Daniel Craig, playing as James Bond walks into the Houses of Parliament, aiming to meet Her Majesty The Queen. As far as I’m concerned with the information I have seen, it appears to be “The” Queen. She sets onto the helicopter with James Bond, they head on over to the Olympic Stadium, and they both parachute down from the skies, and she makes a set to watch the opening unfolds further. I never though I see Her Majesty The Queen parachute….ever. That was one of the few things I didn’t expect here. We were asked to stand up as Her Majesty The Queen entered the Stadium, and the our national anthem was played.

The next part was a tribute to the NHS hospital, and to children’s literature. This one was very nice, as it had doctors and nurses dancing with very 40’s-50’s music. The children in it also were very impressive, apparently spending 150 hours each in rehearsal. Then they put the kids to sleep, where J.K Rowling reading some of Peter Pan. Then, with the music setting the mood, things began to come out of the shadows, black creatures with green eyes, as if you represent the stuff of children’s nightmares, topping it as they are in a hospital as well. Iconic villain’s started to appear like an inflatable Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter with fireworks coming out of his wand, and the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on roller skates! That’s what I like about top-hats; they can define both the best of gentlemen and the most menacing evil villains. All the chorography was brilliant in this. It flowed really well, and all the practicing paid off. The lighting effects were great and gave a little sense of menace of nostalgia as the Mary Poppin’s came in and drove off the evil villains. Yes, there was more than one here. Don’t ask.

Then there was a tribute to the British Cinema, an orchestra played the theme of the Chariot of Fire. And who would play that continuous “dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun”? Why, Rowan Atkinson of course, playing hi famous role of Mr. Bean. This also plays a part in British Comedy, as Mr. Bean does everything you could imagine him doing when playing the same note over and over. He even used an umbrella to play the notes when getting a tissue for when he sneezed, and even doses off and has a dream about a race. Although it was a great piece of music, you can’t help but focus on Rowan the entire time of this event.

Then there is a part to show the digital age, and the release of the internet. Since the ceremony began on the industrial revolution, it seems fitting that we’re going along the time line and through to the modern times. A mother is driving her mini to her house, and as they leave, a kid is playing on his 3DS. As she enters the house, the kid lags behind and the door closes before he can enter the house. So he sits on the door step and continues to play. Then there is a mix of recorded stuff and live stadium action as the weatherman says there are storms brewing. Then there was some TV shows to show tribute more of the British Cinema, and it started to get crazy after this. Loads of people gathered round and started partying, lots of different music played as they went through the ages, people formed together as a smiley face and the peace symbol, it was all just frantic, and mad and noisy, which was why it was brilliant. The selection of music was (For the most part) great and the fact it seemed so disorganized made it seem a little more in place. It was very weird. As this draws to a close, we get to see the person who invented the Internet, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who said as he released it “This is for everyone.” His gift to the world.

Afterwards, there was a load of pictured sent in my ticket holders of people that couldn’t make it today for the Olympic Opening Ceremony. After that, we had Emeli Sande beautifully sing Abide With Me as several dancers gracefully show elegant movements and amazing dust effects. These dances were truly something, and I couldn’t put my finger on why they were so beautiful.

After that came the athletes. Lead by Greece, the founders of the Olympic Games and where the torch is lit every time before the relay, a parade of over 200 nations walk over, holding their flags proud. Each of the nations also received a Coppet Petal, which would have a use later on. Since it is hosted by Great Britain, we will be seen last. The parade went on for over an hour, and I was nearly dosing off. I wanted to see the Olympic Torce arrive, so I made all the effort to stay awake. As Great Britain show off their athletes, there are two speeches by the organizers, and then The Queen declares the Olympic Games officially open. As the torch bearer enters the stadium, the cauldron for the flame is no-where to be found, and he hands the torch to the next generation, the ones to light the torch. They go to the centre of the Stadium, where the Copper Petals are placed. They light some of the Copper Petals, and then in a chain reaction, all of then get lit in a domino effect. When they are all lit, they start to rise up, and fold together, each small flame of the Copper Petal coming together to make a giant torch, the Olympic Torch, and that is a really beautiful gesture. That is what the Olympics is all about, getting together to achieve more. By using a Copper Petal of every nation, they were able to not create several small flames, but got together and created one impressive giant flame.

This Opening Ceremony was far better than I expected it to be. It was stunning, chaotic, beautiful and mesmerising. It makes me proud to be British. Although I will be rooting for Britain to win as many gold medals as possible, I won’t be limited to them. I hope Turkey, Portuguese and Romania do well too. So….

Let the games begin, and may the best athlete win!

I watched the Opening Ceremony yesterday too... It was really awesome I must say, It made me wish be there to watch it in Live... They really did a great work at it.

I think my view of it differs from everyone, because I thought it was an absolutely boring opening ceremony. The only good part I remember is Mr. Bean, because we all know he is really funny. I definitely think the opening ceremony in Bejiing was better than London's.

mlb789 : Well, to each one his own.

the queen never jumped out, it was a stunt double (a guy). Thats why the queen was a wide angle shot when 'she' jumped.
As for standing up for the queen, not on your life.

thenumberone : Ah, then I was mistaken. I had a feeling that would let the Queen do that. And why didn't you stand up for the Queen? Not even for fun?

i saw the guy talking about how honoured he was to be the queens stunt double
Shes way too old, and posh, to be jumping out planes. She'd probably have a heart attack.
I wasnt there so i wouldnt be up.
But if i was i wouldnt. Nor would i sing the anthem.
I dont aprove of the monarchy. I believe in democracy. Nor do i believe in god so having god save the queen is ridiculous.
On top of that, it used to have the line rebelious scotts to crush in it as well, that sullys any hope of me ever singing it.

Darkpower508 : That was very well written, thank you. My favourite song celebrating England is the ''Jerusalem'' hymn, and I was very happy when they decided to play it at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73eB-aAo8Eg

I don't recall ever watching any olympic ceremony but this one was neat (I saw a few mins of it), mr bean and the queen jumping out of a chopper to james bond music made it good. I didn't see any thing else beyond that except for some of the intro.

BTW I don't believe in royalty, its a sin for mankind. Keep the power to yourself and don't bow down to anyone no matter how rich or powerful they appear to be.

thenumberone : I stood up in front of the TV. Well, I respect your views and sorry if the "God save the Queen" was a little bit of a touche song to you. Never realised there was a line taken out.

JigSaw : I never thought of royalty that way.....that's a rather interesting way of putting it.

wow!that was a great opening ceremony.i wonder what the closing ceremony will look like.

I liked the ceremony personally. It actually showed what Great Britain is about and showed how it developed over the times. I'm not saying this because I'm British but i preferred this one over Beijing. It wasn't just a lot of fireworks and drums and CGI. Like i said before it had a story and actually meant something. 

I'd prefer anything that involves a story that takes time to organise than. Send 10 million on a fireworks display... This is of course my own opinion .