The 2012 Summer Olympics got under way with the Opening Ceremony on Friday night. It’s hard to live up to the hype that surrounds the ceremony every two years, but director Danny Boyle gave the world what it wanted to see: fireworks.

Not only were there fireworks at the conclusion of the ceremony, but the build-up to that moment was filled with fireworks of different kinds. From having Daniel Craig and Queen Elizabeth II parachute into the arena together, to David Beckham driving the boat carrying the Olympic torch, it was $42.3 million well spent.

It’s hard to top what Beijing did in 2008, but the London 2012 ceremony was every bit as spectacular, just with a British spin on everything. It was also more relatable for the audience, with pop culture references running rampant.

This ceremony was about involving the world, not just dazzling the world.

Boyle took the most recognizable and universal aspect of British culture, its music, and gave it top billing. The musical numbers at the start of the ceremony were some of the most elaborate and entertaining in Olympic history, and Paul McCartney closed with a sing-along of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”

Then there was the cauldron itself, lit by 204 copper petals on fire, each symbolizing one of the nations involved in the 2012 Olympics, coming together magnificently to form one giant flame.

If the athletes of the Games can provide as much entertainment as the performers did during the Opening Ceremony, fans are in for a two-weeklong fireworks show.