London Opening Ceremony 2012: Highlights from Olympics Kickoff

The opening ceremony in London for the 2012 Summer Games can be summed up in six words: Danny Boyle, you are a genius. 

The British filmmaker best known for the movies Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire put all of his creative juices into this monumental task, and the end results were stunning.

As you would expect, the show was a visual treat. From the Olympic rings of fire to the amazingly choreographed fireworks to the picturesque representation of Great Britain (including rolling hills and pastoral animals), Boyle's presentation was magnificent.

The show was also littered with bits of humor, including a Mr. Bean appearance. He did his usual shtick, but if you're like me, you loved Bean's shtick.

Another particularly funny aspect was that one of the actors came out dressed from head to toe in white...in a bubble...which was then rolled over the crowd to be passed around like you'd see in a mosh pit at a rock concert. 

David Beckham looked dapper as he gave Jade Bailey and the Olympic torch a lift in a sweet speedboat. 

Queen Elizabeth II made an appearance...with James Bond (played, of course, by none other than Daniel Craig). 

The lighting of the torch was breathtaking, as usual.

The Arctic Monkeys covered the Beatles, David Bowie both gave the crowd a musical treat and then Paul McCartney finished up the show with a lively version of "Hey Jude" that got the crowd roaring. 

All in all, Boyle nailed it. He put on a spectacular show that rivaled the brilliant display we were treated to in Beijing four years ago. 

Now it's time for the Games to begin.

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