By Sean Goodbody
Staff Writer
“A musical celebration of past, present, and future,” was a show worthy of Super Bowl 50 with electrifying performances by Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé. The three pop culture icons took the stage in a clamor of lights, concert goers, and Pepsi advertisements.
The classic Super Bowl halftime show has come a long way since the first performance in 1967, which featured college marching bands and a high school drill team. Now a days, the show has evolved into a stunning compilation of fireworks, lights, and as of Sunday, politics.
Poised upon a vibrant stage, Coldplay unleashed classic hits like “Paradise” and “Adventure of a Lifetime.” Then, to the right, a DJ spun the track to “Uptown Funk” while Bruno Mars and his squad of dancers grooved up on stage.
Suddenly, through a burst of flames, a drum line parted revealing Beyoncé and an army of black-clad dancers. They marched towards center stage where a dance battle ensued between her and Mars. Beyoncé, Mars and Chris Martin strutted up the catwalk and Beyoncé flipped the camera towards the audience, ending the show.
Even though a lot was happening on stage, the stage itself was a marvel to behold. Right under Coldplay’s feet was a spectacular digital pond of color, pulsating with vibrant swirls and sunbursts which rivaled those of the beautiful Holi festivals in India.
Because the show was sponsored by Pepsi, their brand was prominent throughout the show. From the advertisement before the show, to the violinists who mobbed the stage sporting red and blue coats, one could hardly focus on the performers without a barrage of Pepsi related symbols.
Aside from Coldplay who dressed casually like they were going out to lunch, Beyoncé and Mars, along with their posses, were decked out in the blackest leather and the brightest gold, adding to their visual appeal (as if Beyoncé wasn’t already appealing enough).
Along with the stars’ costumes, their perfectly synchronized dancing mesmerized and captivated anyone who tuned in. This harmony created between the singing and dancing created a tempting animated effect that captivated and excited the viewers.
“Halftime show 50” was an entertaining performance but, the modern showmanship was almost too overwhelming to enjoy. With such bustling on and around the stage, the viewer was distracted from the real stars of the show. Instead, they were caught up in the commotion of other components.
Arguably the most unfitting portion of the televised show was the flashbacks to previous halftime shows which contrasted heavily with the hype of Beyoncé’s and Mars’ performances. The void that the flashback left unfocused the viewer and consequently resulted in boredom.
While Beyoncé delivered a breathtaking musical number outlining the hardships of African Americans throughout America’s history, a spark of controversy ignited over her theme of police brutality. Opponents say that an anti-police song has no place in the fun and festivities of the Super Bowl, and now #BoycottBeyoncé has been circulating around the web calling for an end too Beyoncé’s career.
In all, Pepsi put on quite the concert with distinguished singers, meticulous dancing, and vibrant displays. However, a halftime show is meant for entertainment, and by involving lengthy flashbacks, advertisements, and politics, an amusing show has now been depraved.
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