Greetings, fellow enthusiasts!
Well, typically, I'm usually the first one to get a review going!
However, as I said, yesterday was my birthday, the 21st, so I had no time at all to write up this review. I thought I would in the evening, but as always, things change. But it seems that all of you have well defined explanations and views regarding this, what I call, somewhat original and quite creative display. I read through all of your reviews and I can see where the main points of emphasis were.
I was truly impressed by Luso's handy work 2 nights ago. What they've done was a great attempt at choreography, and the music truly did, indeed, have a major contribution to the way the overall design was represented to the audience. I know it caught some people off track, but this original attempt gave way to incredible varieties of various effects, especially the use of many crossettes and go-getters. I will also emphasize some more details during the Ritmo segment. I felt that this was very important and the way it sort of "builded" on itself on the main theme and gave a distinct idea of many parts of the overall show.
The weather, of course, was still a pretty much stagnant heat, though much less humid and comfortable for most people. But personally, I liked that muggy type weather last week.
That's my type of summer. Regardless, comfortable conditions gave way to a nice and pleasant summer evening for all of us and for this great Portuguese team!
The temperatures hovered around 25-26 degrees and stayed stable till almost 1:00 A.M. Anyways, the winds were good enough to clear the smoke away, though, as Paul said, it would have been a bit more welcome at times to see other effects at La Ronde. But this took nothing away from this unique display. I, for one, was happy with the conditions and the fact that it was the third time where I didn't have to worry about any threats. The presence of high pressure was there and gave way to fair weather. Also, once again, a very large crowd. I was very surprised to see so many people. But this crowd, including all of us, got to witness something we've rarely, or never seen before, which was confusing to many, especially when we all interpret "pyromusical."
To start off, once again, another totally different display at an attempt to the overall design. This was most original with rhythm and pace, so there were times where the audience, including my family, were rather confused, especially during the Ritmo segment. More on this till the end.
This display was also quite different in the way it portrayed it's colors so vividly, especially the use of the ring. This display also reminded me of Spain in terms of tradition. This was really traditional and in most cases, original. But what makes this unique between them and Spain, is the way they used the creativity concept. It was so delightful to watch various segments create an invidulal note for different effects, especially for the mines and candles, and, of course, the Portuguese ring. However, my only disappointment was the fact that there wasn't a huge variety of effects and colors, especially when we compare it to a display like Czech Republic and Sweden. Some of the products were also quite repetitive.
The hemisphere during the opening show was brilliant, as Enkil said. I barely noticed it until I looked to my far right. When I saw it, I was amazed and astonished. It was then understandable to me why the first selected soundtrack was a Japanese choice. It worked well with this type of approach, especially with the drums that you all talked about.
It must've been nice! However, this did feel anti-climatic since there wasn't much action in the sky for practically a whole minute which really gives people the wrong impression. Paul was right, we did see a lot disappointment to people along the river banks during some parts in the show. There was a girl next to me who said "Je n'aime pas!" Well, I can understand why she felt this way and I honestly don't blame her, but we must understand how this display was designed, though I found the pause at the beginning too long. The first parts of the display were rather quiet, even with some of the launched red crossettes, but this was rather interesting in some perspectives, especially with the serene music. I also did notice some popular and familiar effects!
I must comment on that Beethoven segment. As Paul said in his report, the sound and notes of "da da da dum" were very defined and very well MUCH distinctive with the gold glitter mines which were tightly synchronized with the music. This was actually a very enjoyable segment especially the way in which the mines were sequenced from the extreme left all the way to the right with each note. This, in turn, made the effect look as if the fireworks were the music, and this was very unique to me. There was never a time when this segment was off synchronized. The gold glittering mines were also ideal for this type of music. This was a rather lengthy segment, but was enjoyable according to timed sequence. This was similar to what Spain did in one of their lower segments. Not identical in terms of idea, but the same idea in notes.
I could tell that there was a huge amount of crossettes and shells of crossettes. Just bear with me, as there were predominant effects that contributed to how this display was demonstrated. This type of effect also made it ideal for this type of display. It also sort of linked to their main theme. They were also most incredible when used in variations with color, such as the orange, blue and green mixtures. A similar effect was with the scattered shots and the presence of the shells of go getters towards the middle levels of the sky. Another impressive and creative variation were the mixture of massive barrages of shells that burst into stars. This became more and more apparent as the pace increased with many more shells of the same and then continued to fill the sky with many colorful and scattered shots. This was particulalry exciting since it was presented at higher levels. Also, at the same time, there were many gold glittering mines followed by many colorful sequenced mines that crackled into blue and white stars. This started to become more distinguishable as the music changed in speed.
I was also happy to see silver kamuros and gold brocades that became more frequent towards the middle of the show. This made a nice impression as it trailed towards the river and lake, I assume. Not too long after that, there were many gold glittering weeping willows that started in the middle levels and then began at higher levels. This also made a nice impression as they trailed downwards. There were actually more kamuros towards one of the last segments. This was ideal for a serene moment, especially before the more "aggressive" parts prior to the ending. The "photoflashes are always welcomed by me!
The use of candles and mines were a major contributor to this display, as I've said. The way in which they were sequenced (I'll refer to the Beethovern part again) was simply incredible and it felt as if the the fireworks had a mind of their own. I got that impression several times, but sort of indirectly. The way in which they were "dancing" made it fascinating. Also, the glittering fountains were great along the bottom. The fireflies that crackled were also very much welcomed, especially with the red and white colors and the way they interated with the go-getters at times.
I must also comment on the Ritmo segment in which it was degnied with many different levels of salutes and "photoflashes", as you guys refer to them, at higher levels that made a long and loud crackling noise as they trailed downwards and still making noise. This was then followed by many salutes and more crackling photoflashes. The pace increased near the end of this rather long and very EXCITING segment. These are some my higest ranked effects and are very much enjoyed to the public, especially Pierre and all of us pyrofreaks.
This segment was probably one of the most interesting, exciting and unique effects that I've ever seen since I've been attending the competition, not only in terms of excitement, but in terms of how it created it's own "music." I honestly can't emphasize that enough. This was also a huge plus for this entire display. The way it was executed worked extremely well and totally puzzled the audience. Not just those aspects, but the idea that this segment was so long that it gave way to many enthusiastic looks! The way the salute alone were sequenced sort of made a rhythm that followed along one another and builded on each other which eventually sounded like music. This was practically a totally different approach and I suspect that this will reflect highly on their overall theme. However, I know many people were sort of off track, but it was understandable to me. It all made sense according to what they were trying to prove. I believe that this clearly represented the passion of moving our "minds, hearts and feet," as the information section dictates. Also, the lower salutes made a different sound compared to those at mid levels.
As for nautical effects, I honestly didn't notice much, but there could have been some extreme lower ones, which is responsible for some flashings that I've seen, but I can't confirm if those were nautical effects. However, I did notice some lower fountains at the bottom and in Paul's report, I did see that he stated "nautical fountains." I'm not entirely sure by this, but either way, I suspect that there wasn't huge use made of the lake, safe for the weeping willows and the barrages of kamuros in mid segments.
The choice of music was was very dispersed, in my opinion, ranging from very traditional to other thematic links, such as the Japanese soundtrack to the Beethoven soundtrack. This sort of gave us a variation of different aspects of this display. Ofyen, you can get an inidcation of how complex a display can be when the music is wide ranged. The Ritmo and Beethoven segments were personal favorites, but this is not my type of musci. But, this display worked well and the effetc cleraly showed, especially in the segments that I refered to frequently. The ranging fireflies, kamuros and weeping willows often corresponded to the lower mines, and the mines and candles in particular, made the defintion of this display, in which the way I saw it.
The ring also made a huge impression on the audience and I've never so many "whoa!, oh!, ah! and Magnifique" cheers in some time. The way the ring was sequenbced was increadible and I, too, was dazzled by its used. The extent of the way it was used was fabulous, especially with the high definition and reptitive colors! Then it would be sequenced at times making it also to create a sort of rhythm. The last silver glitters at the beginning were not as noticeable at first, especially since there were many glittering stars prior to its appearance. In any case, an incredible effort, as well as very enjoyable. I was also very happy to see it go off near the very end of the finale. The hemisphere was also apparent at the end.
Synchronization was simply incredible and I couldn't have enjoyed it anymore than I did 2 nights ago. It was truly both amazing and different, especially, once again, in which the fireworks created a rhythm of music, not only in the Ritmo part, but also in other parts where music/fireworks wasn't clear.
The effects were a sort of big problem for me. I found this display very redundant from segment to segment. There was pretty much many things that were not in variations. I know I said that this display had variations, but that was only in the way it fitted in to the display, but definitely not in the overall criteria. This sort of made some of the display boring. For example, you'd have many parts that had those crossettes and then they various other colors. But my point is that the same idea was there and I felt that many absences of products would have been more welcome. It would have also been nice to see a little more use of the hemisphere throughout the display. The ring was of excellent use, but I felt that its use should have been a little more spreaded out.
Travis' personal rankings and display criteria rankings:
-Synchronization: 9.7/10-This was incredible and very authentic in which it was executed, deserving a high score from me.
-color: 8/10-Not too much variations, but very brilliant at times, especially from the ring.
-Creativity/Originality/Concept: 8.4/10-Though I didn't find this display totally original, particularly the ring, the creativity was apparent. However, I did find a lot of effects very repetitive and sort of made things less efficient, but it did work well with this approach which is why I gave it a good score.
-Choice of music: 8.7/10-Not to my tastes, but it worked well with the display, however, it would have been nice if there was more Portuguese soundtrack.
-Finale/Overall appreciation: 8.8/10-Though not as intense as expected, and really rare this year with good finales, it had good length and was very transitional. Pierre, it was still a decent finale, so I'm happy you got it recorded, but like you and Enkil said, not as intense. I'm also happy that you decided to record a small piece of that salute segment.
Overall: 8.7/10
My personal choices for the winners:
1-Sweden
2-France
3-Argentina
4-Spain
5-Portugal
6-Czech Republic
7-Australia
My jury predictions:
1-Sweden/Argentina
2-either of the above
3-France, Spain or even Portugal
My personal choice in terms of overall excitment excluding finales:
1-France
2-Sweden
3-Czech Republic
4-Argentina
5-Portugal
6-Spain
7-Australia
My personal choice for finales so far:
1-France
2-Sweden
3-Spain
4-Portugal
5-Cezch Republic
6-Argentina
7-Australia
In conclusion, this display was highly original, but mostly in the perspectives of how it was done with music attempt. I suspect this will give thme the upper hand, however, as most of you said, this depends on if the judges saw the main idea being portrayed, so in this context, it's a hard to interpret and analyse. Though, if taken into serious account, this can definitely be on the podium. The finale was interesting and reminded me of, like I said, U.S.A of 2003. I'm glad you agree with me, Fred.
The ending, however, had one main problem, that was intensity. The length was resonable, but not intense enough to make me scream. However, it was still highly enjoyable because it was very transitional with the vast and huge amounts of colors from the barrages of massive shells constantly coming at you. It was also nice to see the ring and the hemisphere in the latter. This was very dramatic and making everyone give a well deserved applause, in my opinion. Also, it's always nice to get a huge volley of salutes at the end, right Pierre?
A totally different display and I feel that it could get up there. I have some minor criticisms, besides the ending. As I said, the ring should have been used a little more throughout the display, rather than concentrated in one big piece, while the hemisphere could have been more abundant in use. But the bright and colorful mines worked well with the ring in that specific segment. I'm not exactly sure if a lot of use was made of the lake, but from my perspective, it didn't feel like much. Another thing was the rather long pause at the beginning, which really doesn't fit in, especially since it was practically a whole minute of the enthusiastic countdown. Also, the ring was not entirely original. It was excellent in 2002 and though it has significantly evolved since I remember it, it's still the same idea, so I wouldn't call it original. Finally, the display was probably the most redundant so far, especially with the use of the crossettes. All that said, I still suspect that Sweden and even Argentina would be up for first place. I also feel that this display will be fighting with France and Spain for 3rd. All that being said, I strongly believe that this was an excellent effort by Luso. A definitely tight competition this year and it's more than likely that there's going to be a lot of tension. Still an anticpated Canadian and U.S firm to go!
Thank you all for your comments!
Regards,
Trav.
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