Opening Ceremony 2012: Recapping Most Memorable Moments

London took to its biggest task when on Friday night they put into action something that has been in the works for years, something that volunteers have tirelessly worked to make memorable, something that none of us will soon forget, their Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Although it did not top Beijing in the wow factor, the performance directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle was uniquely British and was a true representation of the culture, the people and the great history of the four United Kingdom nations.

From appearances by James Bond and Lord Voldemort to live cameos from J.K. Rowling and Kenneth Branagh, the ceremony highlighted many aspects of British music and literature.

It began with three different sequences in a timeline, middled with the ever classic Parade of Nations and finished with a unique, yet beautiful torch lighting and fireworks display.

In case you missed it or in case you just want to relive the majesty, here are some of the most memorable moments that will no doubt be make the headlines.

A Walk Through Britain's Past

One of Danny Boyle's imaginative ideas was to take the viewing audience through a journey of Britain's rich history. In doing this, he began with some of the earliest marks of the British culture, including a pasture of farm animals, windmills, maypoles representing the nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and volunteers imitating a cricket match. This section, the first of three divided parts of the timeline was titled The Green and Pleasant Land.

The next section called Pandemonium featured the Industrial Revolution, and both the good and bad that went along with it. Watching the steel mills rise and the workers create mechanical masterpieces was quite a show. Also included was a nod to war, as the Industrial Revolution, in addition to bringing us technology beyond imagination, also brought the capability of advanced warfare.

Frankie and June Say Thanks to Tim

The last of the timeline segments was something very unique to the Olympic Games. In a nod to creator of the World Wide Web Tim Berners Lee, Boyle orchestrated a digital love story that spanned the '60s, '70s and '80s.

The story began with a woman coming home to her husband. While the parents were gathered with friends, their two teenage daughters were upstairs preparing to go out. While they got dressed, various images flashed on the television screens as the main character, June, updated her Facebook status and sent texts.

When the girls go out, June meets a boy named Frankie who just so happens to have found her missing cell phone. The two text each other, which is evidenced by flashing message boxing replicating a text on the screen.

Eventually after dancing their way through the decades, all with music performed by British singers and bands, the two meet and share a kiss. Instantly another box pops up on the screen as June changes her "relationship status." A flood of people share their comments as photos and other images are put on the screen, which now has the appearance of a Facebook page.

The segment ended with Berners Lee himself typing on a computer. When he sent his message, the seats surrounding the main stand lit up with the message "this is for everyone," a reminder that he created the web for everyone to use and enjoy.

This was probably one of the most unique and interesting segments of the night. The way Boyle connected social media to tell a story was something no Olympic ceremony has ever done and something no future ceremony will likely ever do either.

The Dreams and Nightmares of the Children

This was certainly a different way to tell a story as Boyle used the strong bond between the National Health Services and children's literature to create this unique scene.

The scene began with doctors and nurses reading to children and then putting them to bed. When they left the room, however, the children opened their eyes and began jumping on the beds. One child, hiding under the covers took out a book and as J.K. Rowling narrated, a dream began to form in front of her.

The child was taken up in the air in her bed with pleasant dreams and lullaby-esque music playing. Then all of a sudden, the dream turned to a nightmare.

Shadows began to chase the children as popular British villains, The Queen of Hearts, Cruella de Ville and Captain Hook appeared to haunt the kids. While all of that was going on, a 40-foot high Lord Voldemort emerged from the ground and prepared to take the floating bed of the little girl.

The fear subsided, however, when several British nannies representing Mary Poppins ascended in the sky to take down Lord Voldemort. The nannies succeeded and the segment ended with the children safe, demons chased away.

This part of the ceremony was a huge nod to British literature, yet another piece of the opening dedicated to some part of the British culture.

The Forging of the Olympics Rings

It was one of the Opening Ceremony's more awe-inspiring moments, as during the Industrial Revolution, workers toiled to create molten Olympic Rings. The Rings, which have been scattered around Great Britain, serve as reminder of the values of the Olympics and their overall mission.

After forging these rings on the field, they were then lifted up, one from each corner of the stadium and one from the middle. The five rings came together and bonded as a symbol of the unity and togetherness that the Games focus on bringing out.

Although this event was truly beautiful, the best part about it was yet to come.

Once the rings were raised into the air and joined together, the smoke clouds from the heat formed behind them. The rings, which Boyle made it possible to actually smell the molten heat, then began to rain down on the field, serving to fulfill the promise Boyle made that there would be "real clouds" with "real rain."

Of all of the events from this Opening Ceremony, this is probably the most memorable.

The Tale of Mr. Bean

In a quirky nod to the illusion of sports and athletics, Rowan Atkinson, more famously known as Mr. Bean, played a comedic role as viewers were taken into a short film of his own dreams of athletic stardom.

It began with Atkinson, dressed as the Mr. Bean character, playing a single note on a synthesizer as an orchestra was conducted in a rendition of "Chariots of Fire." Bean, who initially appears to be enjoying his role, seems to become annoyed as he plays his one note.

He looks next to him, to where the other piano guy has stopped playing as it is what the music calls for. In the meantime, Bean still has his finger glued to the key. He continues to play as he pulls out his phone to take a picture, moves away to grab a tissue and uses an umbrella at one point to play as well. Eventually, he closes his eyes and his dream begins.

As the song "Chariots of Fire" is classically used to show two people running toward each other on a beach, this is exactly the scene viewers now see. Bean is running with British runners but eventually falls behind. In his comedic fashion, however, he jumps into a car and can be seen telling the driver to go faster as he passes the runners and wins the race.

Then Bean's eyes open and he realizes he is still playing his singular note, even though the conductor has stopped the piece.

It was a fun and quirky scene and it definitely gave a nod to classic British humor.

James Bond and the Queen Go Parachuting

One of Boyle's ideas for this ceremony was to make it feel like a cinematic experience, to make the audience feel as if it were watching a film. In doing this, he actually did create a few short films including the one starring 007 and the Queen herself.

In another area that Beijing couldn't compare to, fictional character James Bond, played by famous Bond actor James Craig, interacted with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.

Putting these two British icons together was wonderful in and of itself but what was even better was hearing the Queen utter the words, "Good evening, Mr. Bond."

That was enough to make this moment absolutely perfect, but luckily for all of us, it didn't end there. Bond and the Queen left Buckingham Palace and boarded a helicopter. The helicopter flew over Olympic Stadium and in the last shot of the film, the Queen jumped out followed by Bond. Obviously, both were stunt doubles, but still, seeing the "Queen" parachute on to the field was truly amazing.

Had it been the actual Queen doing the jumping, there is absolutely never ever in the history of the world that could top that. The London Opening Ceremonies would top all else to ever be done and to ever be done. It's just that simple.

Past, Present and Future Come Together to Light the Torch

One of the best parts of any Olympic Opening Ceremony is the torch relay. It is always exciting to see who gets the great honor to bring the flame into the stadium. 

London took a unique approach with this and did something that had never been done before.

The torch relay began with David Beckham, soccer mega star and key figure in bringing the Games to London, riding in a speed boat with the torch. Representing sporting present, he handed the torch off to one of the best British athletes of all time, Sir Steven Redgrave. Redgrave, representing the past, ran the torch into the stadium where he handed it off to a young boy.

This is where the relay got very interesting.

The boy was one of seven young athletes to carry the torch as it made its way through the stadium. When the kids reached the cauldron, they were greeted by their sponsors, the seven former British Olympians and stars that nominated them for the relay. Each of the kids then got their own flame and together lit the stones, which ultimately erupted in the torch, rising above the ground for all to see.

Having future Olympians, many who are actually expected to be walking in the Parade of Nations for Rio, was certainly something that was unique and special. By using representatives from the past and present as well was truly a memorable moment.

The Alignment of the Flags

As usual the Parade of Nations is nothing spectacular. That is unless you enjoy watching hundreds of countries large and small enter the stadium as Bob Costas and Matt Lauer make the same old references, patiently asking yourself, "How long until America comes in?"

Nothing about it this year was especially spectacular. That is expect for, how the flags were aligned along a beautiful grassy area that spiraled with a tree in the middle.

As each country entered the stadium, the flag bearer placed the flag on the hill. One by one, it begin to fill with the colors of every nation, serving a beautiful backdrop and reminder of what the Games are truly about.

Perhaps the best part of this strategically planned flag placement was that the Olympic flag, as it made its way through the stadium, actually passed by these national flags and passed through them. It was as if the flags of the individual countries in addition to being brought together on the hill, were giving way to the Olympic flag.

It was a truly moving moment and one that really highlighted the overall reverence and respect that was showcased throughout the ceremony. 

Paul McCartney Closes with "Hey Jude"

The London Opening Ceremony was different than Beijing. It was not focused on precision and robot-like perfection. It was not so delicate and yet so powerful at the time. It was not one that will go down as the best in history. They didn't spend nearly as much money and the direction was geared in a completely different way, styled to represent British history and culture all the way down to the slapstick humor the country is known for.

All that being said, there is one thing that Britain had that China didn't, and that was the one and only Sir Paul McCartney.

Although his performance was reminiscent of the Super Bowl halftime show he did a few years ago, it carried with it cultural significance.McCartney was a Beatle and the Beatles were England. All of the music that was showcased in the ceremony from Muse to Amy Winehouse, David Bowie to Queen, it was all made possible because of the Beatles.

Therefore it was only fitting that the ceremony would close with Paul himself leading the entire crowd in the singing of one of the Beatles classic hits, "Hey Jude."

The Fireworks

The fireworks display at the end of the Games was stunning and was something that, in its own way, rivaled the display from Beijing.

As the torch was lit, fireworks erupted from every part of the stadium, circling around the place in a perfectly orchestrated motion. They swirled around the torch in stunning colors and patterns as the entire stadium was covered by their lights.

Next it was the city of London whose turn it was to light up, as a beautiful fireworks display exploded beyond Olympic Stadium and into the city. It was absolutely stunning and very well designed. Clearly, one of the more awe-inspiring moments of the night.