I'm a bit late because my internet was down, but I had my review ready long time ago.

I arrived there at around 8:30pm. Quickly, I found a perfect spot. It took forever to start! I have to say, I was so uncomfortable sitting on those rocks near the gate for two hours.

There was a lot of people despite the little rain threat that we usually get. Once again, it didn't rain, but it was really hot.

I think this display ressembled a bit to France's display, mainly because a lot of "candles" were used. I think the left to right (vise versa) shootings were enjoyable and typicly "Ricasaish". But I found that some segments were just OK. There were some parts where there was a bit of repetition because of the same product being used over and over. I thought they could have added different effects.

I also thought the music was just fine. So the song selection was OK. As for the synchronization, it was good in general. However I found that some moments could have been better.

And the "Spanish Passion" theme was a nice theme, but I still don't understand to who they were trying to pay tribute...

Basically, it was a typical Spanish show, but more and less enjoyable. I say this because I believe the Swedish was far more enjoyable (a never-boring show).

As for the finale, it was OK. It was a bit like Sweden, but again, not long and intense enough in my taste. So far, I think France had the best finale.

But one more thing, thank you for the salutes! Finally, real salutes!

My ratings, so far:

1. Sweden
2. France
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Australia

Generally based on how I felt and what I liked best.

Again, as Smoke said, I suspect the judge's favorite is Argentina or Sweden.

Paul and Lars,

Thanks a lot for both of your explanations. It's much more clear now.

Enkil,

You have the exact same rankings as I do! I'm glad that we see things similarly. And I'm also happy that everyone is still sticking with Sweden!

However, once again, we still have 4 participants to go. But, it's sort of depressing because we're already half way through the competition. And it's just going to go faster now.

Trav.

Hey guys,

I guess I am the last to give my opinion about Spain's performance this past Wednesday. Before I got on the bridge, my expectations were really high, as I often enjoyed Spain's performances in the past! That is not good, because you assume that you will be viewing something huge and wonderful, so the stakes are high!

After reading all of your comments, I realise that I am probably the one who enjoyed this display the most, as I thought that there was a lot of action with no "dead" periods....or did I miss them? Yes, there was a lot of repetition, but there were lots of interesting stuff in there......I think of those rockets made of a bright red (some others were blue) spot on top with lower part made of white twinkling stars....kind of hard to explain what it was in English, but I think you know what I mean. Loved those serpents. Also loved the fact that many times, the show was noisy, which I love very much. While I was watching and enjoying the display, I thought that the finale would be quite loud and intense. As Trav said, it started off very nicely, but ended way too quickly, as if something went wrong! As I was walking back toward my car, I felt a bit disappointed, but still, I enjoyed the overall display.

Now, since I am an amateur who enjoys firework displays, I will rank the countries according to what thrills me, what makes me feel good as I watch fireworks. It has nothing to do with how they set up the fireworks or what they use, etc... Also, finales have a huge influence on my choices (I know that the judges have different criterias for their choices but again, I am just an amateur and I let finales "cloud" my judgement intentionally....LOL)


So, because of that, I will rank the countries three times: First, for their display without the finale, Second, for their finale and Third, for their overall performance!

In order of their performance without the finale (first 28 minutes of the display):

1. Sweden
2. France
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Australia

In order of their performance during the finale:

1. France (I agree with you Enkil )
2. Sweden
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Australia

In order of their overall performance (entire 30 minutes including finale):

1. Sweden
2. France
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Australia

I must add that putting Sweden in first place over France, is a tough choice, as I thought that France's finale was more intense and the build up made me shake. Finales which are noisy, fast-paced, huge, bright, packed with thunderous salutes and which never stop intensifying, have an incredible impact on myself and therefore, on my choices....to the extent that I will prefer an ordinary display with an incredible finale, to a very good display with a quiet finale!

Yes Trav......as I was heading back home, like you, I thought that we are already halfway into the season......and because from now on it will be twice a week, the second half will go by a lot faster!

......but we still have a lot of pleasure ahead of us!

Have a great weekend, guys!

Pierre

Oh Trav.......I forgot to add that I recorded Spain's finale....it is very clear....and unfortunately, it did not take much space in the memory (wink, wink).

Take care, my friend.

Pierre

Salut

ouf.....la course pour l'obtention d'un Jupiter se corse.Cà me rappelle 2003 alors que j'étais membre du jury de 15 personnes .J'avais écrit à L,époque que c'était bien peu dans une compétition serrée. Je me souviens alors qu'après les prestations moyennes de l'argentine et de la France tous les autres pays avaient offerts de grandes performances.
Ce qui est intéressant dans ce forum c'est de constater que chacun comme c'est le cas pour les assidus des feux de Montréal regarde les feux à sa facon en les jugeant selon ses goûts, ses critères, ses attentes....etc...Le jury est censé représenter la population qui est en fait la première raison d'être et de durer des feux de Montréal.
Cette année la tâche de notre jury populaire s'annonce ardue. Je sais bien pour en avoir fait partie que chacune des personnes de ce jury voit un feu à sa facon et son jugement doit s'inscrire à l'intérieur des critères suivant lesquels il doit apprécier les différentes performances.
Les montréalais ont toujours eu un faible pour les feux Espagnols et ce depuis 21 ans.L'autre soir j'étais sur le pont et les gens applaudissaient spontannément et généreusement après chacun des segments.
La firme Ricardo Caballer n'a pas décu. Elle a présenté un feu dans la plus pure tradition Espagnole;un performance éblouissante, époustouflante qui n,a laissé aucun répit aux spectateurs .
Un nombre imposant de magnifiques pièces pyrotechniques diversifiées,multicolores bien agencées et très correctement réparties sur le site...un exercice assez complexe sur le plan technique que cette firme a réalisé avec brio avec une excellente trame sonore et un syncronisation vraiment très au point.
Entre autre j'ai vraiment adoré ce qu'ils ont produit avec la musique de l'homme de la mancha et plus tard avec Espana. Le feu dansait sur le site et dans le ciel, un feu très chaleureux et rytmé à souhait.
Avec de très bons enchainements l'Espagne a soutenu l'intérêt des gens pendant toute la présentation.
J'ai moins apprécié leur prestation avec Riverdance.Il y a quelques années une firme américaine je crois Atlas ou Sousa avaient offerts une performance époustouflante avec ce choix musical .
Aussi je crois que le choix de cette musique ne cadrait pas très bien avec les autres musiques choisis par les Espagnols.
J'aurais bien aimé qu'ils utilisent des bombes nautiques. Je crois que cà manquait ...Le lac constitue un site magique pour la créativité des concepteurs et bien que je respecte leurs choix ils auraient du l'utiliser.Le jury a surement noté cà.
Au niveau de la créativité, de l'innovation rien de bien particulier. Les Espagnols ont utilisé leurs valeurs sures et cà il l'ont fait avec brio.Le concept choisi était bien ordinaire mais traduisait bien dans l'action la passion Espagnole.
Bref un grand feu d'artifice dans la pure tradition Espagnole.

Je suis ressorti du feu après un beau bouquet finale multicolore et très sonore.
Le passioné des feux était satisfait.

Ce soir des petits nouveaux....les Tchèques. J'ai hâte de voir cà.

Roger

Pierre,

It's always a pleasure to hear your cheery comments! I'm also happy that you got the finale recorded! You have no idea on how much appreciated that is to us!

I also like your idea on making a specific section for ranking countries by finales! Sounds like fun. I'll probably do that in my next review after my predictions on the winner and my jury predictions. Just for fun, I'll do that now:

Travis' personal choice on best finales:

1-France
2-Sweden
3-Spain
4-Argentina
5-Australia

Pretty much what you and Enkil summarized.

The finale for Spain was pretty good in the long run, but the problem was the length, as I said. It started really nicely, but ended too fast.

As for the competition, in general, well, I guess all good things must come to an end But lests not think about that now! We still have plenty of more displays to see!

Well, my friend, once again, it's great to hear your comments and I also look foward to your comments about tonight's display.

Roger,

I agree with most of your comments, but my only problem with the display was the redundancy. However, we can't rule out the possibility of this show! It was very traditional, as you and all of us said, and it was different in the way it was designed.

Regards,

Trav.