I thought it was the most beautiful opening ceremony I've ever seen. The nod to traditional Chinese culture and the philosophical schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism was outstanding. And no Chinese production would have been complete without a tribute to the martial arts. The Chinese take calisthenics very seriously... its the union of body, mind and soul in the graceful way people do their workouts every day in China.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus