Caitlin Lezell
Journal Staff
The Super Bowl XLVI halftime show was provided by none other than Madonna. Patriots and Giants aside, Madonna had been getting just as much hype in the past few weeks, assuring viewers that it was going to be an entertaining performance, free of any wardrobe malfunctions.
Skeptics were not sure if Madonna would be able to pull off such a show after a few years out of the spotlight, but she did indeed deliver. With an absolutely ridiculous performance, Madonna proved to the world that she most definitely is still the reigning Queen of Pop.
From the lights to the costumes (with no mishaps, as promised) to the stage props, Madonna transformed the Lucas Oil Stadium into a spectacle that no one could have predicted.
Let us cut to the chase: the best part of the performance, hands down, was the last song, Madonna’s classic “Like a Prayer.” She couldn’t have ended with anything better.
It was turned into a duet with Cee Lo Green, with both sporting beautiful though admittedly a tad over the top black robes and accompanied by a full choir. She concluded by disappearing into a cloud of smoke, while the field was lit up with the words “World Peace,” which was absolutely tacky, but still pretty darn cool.
Madonna’s other songs were the hits “Vogue,” “Music,” and a new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” Her costumes and the stage transformed from ancient Rome to the 1980s to a high school marching band performance, all within twelve minutes.
If that sounds ridiculous, it’s because it was. But still, it was impossible to look away, as has been the case for most of her career.
Other guest performers included Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., who, for some reason, decided to cause a bit of a stir by flipping off the crowd, and LMFAO, definite crowd favorites. A few seconds of the LMFAO hits “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It” were played, but these newer pop stars never took the attention away from the star that is Madonna.
Her dancers were excellent. One had an incredibly impressive tightrope solo, while her marching band and her choir, though probably unnecessary, also did a great job. As for Madonna, a 53-year-old mother of four, she can still move. From riding the shoulders of one of the LMFAO guys to the suggestive cartwheels and leg splits, the Queen of Pop has still got it.
As long as one does not try to take the whole thing too seriously, Madonna nailed this halftime Show. It was elaborate, sexy, and fun, as the world should have known to expect. And it was a far more entertaining performance than the one provided by the Patriots, but that’s another story.
