Yes, sir. Now that everyone should have seen it (thanks, NBC 
), I am going on record as proclaiming this the best ever.
I've seen so many comparison to Beijing, let's get this out of the way now. In summary,
Beijing = a creativity limited excessively by constraints and rigidness
London = a creativity inspired by freedom
Let's just start with the faces representing each games, Beckham and Yao. One willingly chose his duty and the other had his duty thrust upon him. How many times did we see Yao smiling during the ceremonies or during the lead-up? Compare to Beckham and it's not even close. The man wasn't even picked and yet was jet-hopping and smiling all over the place.
What do we remember most about the Beijing opening? An endless sight of a great mass of people. Weaving in and out.
What did we have in London? Numerous references and acknowledgments to all kinds of people who helped make the place. Individual people and specific groups of people.
shortlist:
English literature from Blake and Shakespeare down to the modern-day.
Industrial revolution scene.
The constant contributions from their music, too many to list (nice touches on the placement of Bowie's "Heroes" and Pink Floyd's "Eclipse").
Black faces all over the place from Windrush, Dizze Rascal, to admitting that biracial families actually exist.
And when I knew it was officially great is when a bunch of unknowns lit the Olympic flame. They had their "Olympic legends" (who I've never heard of anyway, but apparently were a big deal there) actually pass the torch on to a bunch of youngsters actually competing. No
stars actually holding on for one last moment of glory. A literal passing of the torch.
), I am going on record as proclaiming this the best ever.I've seen so many comparison to Beijing, let's get this out of the way now. In summary,
Beijing = a creativity limited excessively by constraints and rigidness
London = a creativity inspired by freedom
Let's just start with the faces representing each games, Beckham and Yao. One willingly chose his duty and the other had his duty thrust upon him. How many times did we see Yao smiling during the ceremonies or during the lead-up? Compare to Beckham and it's not even close. The man wasn't even picked and yet was jet-hopping and smiling all over the place.
What do we remember most about the Beijing opening? An endless sight of a great mass of people. Weaving in and out.
What did we have in London? Numerous references and acknowledgments to all kinds of people who helped make the place. Individual people and specific groups of people.
shortlist:
English literature from Blake and Shakespeare down to the modern-day.
Industrial revolution scene.
The constant contributions from their music, too many to list (nice touches on the placement of Bowie's "Heroes" and Pink Floyd's "Eclipse").
Black faces all over the place from Windrush, Dizze Rascal, to admitting that biracial families actually exist.
And when I knew it was officially great is when a bunch of unknowns lit the Olympic flame. They had their "Olympic legends" (who I've never heard of anyway, but apparently were a big deal there) actually pass the torch on to a bunch of youngsters actually competing. No
stars actually holding on for one last moment of glory. A literal passing of the torch. 
- especially w/ the interracial family and showcasing hip hop. made me wonder if that would happen in the US. def not w/ the interracial family....maybe w/ the hip hop
