Show Viewing Date: 8-8-2008
Show Title: The 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Network: NBC
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking

Intro:

There is something magical about what is the opening of the Summer Olympics every four years for me.  Regardless of what country, I can recall many of the modern televised opening ceremonies for probably the last 20 years.  This year is yet another year that will be burned into the collective consciousness of many people around the world, especially those residing in China - his years host country, as they inte the world to participate not only in games, but this 2GuysTalking Caption Hunt Review of The 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

Previews/Commercials Captioned: Yes  Not surprisingly, the budget for the Olympics games makes each and every minute of the Olympics a very satisfying experience for those of us that depend on Closed Captioning.  Whether it’s the commentary of the people detailing the artistic portions of the event, or the incredible level of trivia and knowledge bestowed during the March of Nations where we meet the participants of this year’s games, each and every minute of preview and commercial is gloriously captioned.

Opinion Review:

The operative word not only for this special Caption Hunt Review but for the entire span of tha games over the next 2+ weeks is “perspective.”  Regardless of your political stance, your physical demographic in whatever nation you are watching these events from, this “event” we call the Opening Ceremonies is one that will live on forever in the minds of anyone that witnessed it.  The planet’s country with the largest population count, experiencing the world spotlight, provided us with a special treat this evening during it’s first 3+ hours.

As a artist, the artistic portion of this event was yet another step up for the people that create the spectacle of the ga mes in general.  The impressionistic flair and tradition of the creator of this year’s opening ceremony used both the oldest traditions and the most advanced technological feats available and it was just - incredible.  I’ll dialog sadly only several things of a full three hour period that stood out to me here and would love for you to chime in with your thoughts:

– The Marching of Chinese Patriots: While I will be the first to champion the precision of America’s fighting men and women when they march in formal events, one of the single most impressive events this evening that required no artistic direction at all, was the incoming march of the flag of the Chinese nation.  There have often been events where so much precision, sync, and pageantry have been evident, but the soldiers that marched in China’s flag?  It was as if there was ONE person, replicated 6 times, marching in their banner.  The SNAP - the billiant but short pause of each step while carrying both the Chinese flag and Olympic flag - sheer genius.

– The Ability to Go From Nothing to Something: I have high hopes that they’ll provide a DVD set of this years games, mostly because this is easily the first year I would buy it based solely on the opening ceremony events.  The colors, the precision and the ability to take - China’s largest literal contribution to the world - it’s people, and use them to make this extravaganza of pace, light and majesty is just simply unrivaled.  There is a section of the artistic portion of the opening event where they have costumed dancers running in gloring, LED-lighted suits running at full speed on the infield of the stadium - in an outrageously choreographed spectacle of precision, going from a massive field of people, to the outline of a dove, to a never-ending series of PERFECT concentric circles.  Folks, this isn’t some marching band, this is a force of incredibly trained humanity putting on the show of their lives, and it showed in every single minute conveyed.

– You Will Run Your Time: I can remember an old-school song from Manfred Mann, a musical group with a song used during the 80’s Olympic runs not so strangely called “RUNNER”.  That song would have fit terribly well for this portion of the end of the events.  The final torch light process featured one of China’s most famous gymnasts, suspended on wires, who seemingly levitates to the top rung of the stadium, and then proceeds to run the entire span of the top tier of “scrim” (a plastic screen that encompassed the entire lay of the stadium), as video of moments during the entire process of the torch run across the world was showcased behind him in a firey display that will take a LOT to top in the future.  As he reaches his 360-degree point, the arrives at the powder-line that leads to the giant-torched Olympic couldron, where he ignites the next piece of Olympic history.  The fire ignites and one of the most impressive, memorable and encompassing fireworks displays lights the night sky for a period of 20 straight minutes.  Just magical.

Should NBC choose to make this volume available, I recommend that everyone find a way in their budget to collect it.  It is a testimate to the enginuity of humanity, the brilliance of the human spirit, and a true no-holds-barred showcase of what national pride and humanity can give to the world.

Overall Caption Rating: 5

Overall Show Rating: 5

Total Rating: 5

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning? Yes

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