“The whole opening was at once visually stunning and totally boring. I don’t know how that happens.”
Haven’t you seen many movies in the last 20 years?
So much emphasis on “visual effects” with no (good) story. Especially since they got to play with computers.
It’s the same principle. Making it technically impressive doesn’t mean it gets the soul.
My take: I thought it was pretty good. However, as always, I have reservations/critiques:
1-Indian emphasis. I don’t mind having the sub-cultures in there; it’s interesting and part of the whole. But not only was there quite a bit of lingering on this issue, but what was with the “PLEASE *WELCOME* THE LOCAL TRIBES!” WELCOME? They’re already there! The host country is supposed to welcome OUTSIDERS! Not outsiders welcome a few people from the inside? Give me a break.
2-The punk fiddlers. I wasn’t sure from Costas’ ravings what was going on - did this guy get drunk and have these visions of punkie fiddlers (at ONE bar)? Are they really that prominent to go on and on for I can’t count with them dancing and fiddling? I never knew about these people at all, much less that they were so important. (Never mind they struck me as weird exactly because real punks would NEVER do anything so nerdy as fiddling and - yikes - actual dancing!)
3-General long-windedness of many presentations, and in many cases not really adding to any story (the boy in the heather).
4-So many switch-offs inside the stadium with the flame; I know now it was to let them all light, but still, it was sort of chaotic.
5-Cauldron shaft malfunction - ‘nuff said.
6-Cauldron logistics. In the middle of the stadium, not up high. Are they going to use this stadium for events are not? I was wondering if they were going to leave this flame as is and waste a stadium. Then having another cauldron FAR away from the stadium apparently - that’s not even “high” that most in the city could see it (hark to Costas’ remarks inside)! It was no higher than in the stadium! Too much “ceremony” with 2 cauldrons, covering about a half hour of time from the stadium entrance.
Actually, no I don’t watch movies much. :-) At least in part for that reason.
Great assessment.
I think it probably was a BIG mistake if they got rid of a section in order to focus more on the luger killed.
It made the whole thing really disjointed. The moment of silence was almost enough.