I'm gonna go through all the lads. However, it's been a few hours since I watched and I may not have all of my thoughts with me. I'm not very well versed technically, but I am no stranger to the arts, thus my commentary will be regarding that old so-&-so.
BREZINA - Believe it or not, I like his "Point Break but with Raving" program. The contrast makes both types of music more interesting & creates some great pacing (which is great for Brezina, who's attention span I question).
Now that I'm done justifying my preferences, this was clearly the best outing with this program. Despite jumping mistakes & lack of stamina in the latter half, he stayed engage for the entirety. This was also the most articulate his movement has been with this program.
With some training time, I’d say he has a good chance of turning this season around. But, then again, he's been having no shortage of boot problems & may or may not be having coaching problems too, so what do I know?
TAKAHASHI - Whenever I watch, I can't help but think about how grateful I am to be able witness such a talent in his day.
He seemed so at ease! Nothing was getting to him at all. He just let each movement happen as it did & it was brilliant!
I'm just going to stop before I start writing in nothing but exclamation points and emoticons.
HANYU - I know I
will like him, but, right now, he's just too rough around the edges for me. Now, there are plenty of unpolished skaters that I like, but on Hanyu, it seems so unbecoming. It just doesn't suit him.
Also, watching Hanyu right after Takahashi, it was so easy to see how nervous he was, especially at the slow section. Halfway through it all I could think was, “You have no idea what to do with yourself now, do you?” Then, when he went back to the intense music, I just imagined someone speaking super fast during a presentation (that's what I meant by "nervous"). I really appreciate how much he surrenders himself to a program, but I wonder if that's not partly because he's trying tune out the audience. I dunno.
Like I said, I know I
will like him.
FERNANDEZ – I don’t know; I’m just not groovin’ with him.
>Part of it is because, as far as I can tell, he has, for the most part, played the role of the “fun guy” & I already have Verner & Oda for that (also Dornbush who I prefer for a number reasons). ((<-the fact that he is American i just barley on that list.))
>Part of it is because I associate Rigoletto too much with cartoons to take it seriously.
Anyways, I guess this is all just totally my preference. : /
But, to compare him to Hanyu, I see Fernandez being very much into the audience & performing to them, but not nearly as much into his program (this critique is specifically about his FS; that’s exactly what he should be doing for his SP). I prefer a balance between being engaged with the audience and being engaged (emotionally) with the program, but if I had to choose, I prefer the latter.
ABBOTT – Again, this is another skater who I am so gracious to be able to see in competition.
I love how the music & the costume allow you to just pay attention to the beauty of his skating. Watching his program puts you into this wonderful dream-like state. I love it so much!
My only question is: “Why doesn’t he wear one of those flesh tone gloves? Even just on the one hand.” Maybe the bleeding incident at CoR was a one time thing. Who knows?
CHAN – Yeah, he falls & wins. What else is new?
But, getting to the program, it’s frustrating. He’s with the music plenty; could definitely be better, but not bad. It’s just:
come on man! SHOW US SOME HEART!
Also, this has nothing to do with any one skater, but while watching the men, I thought about how in emoting, you don’t see a lot of skaters reacting to their reactions. It’s an old acting tip, and there are not a few skaters who would benefit from utilizing it!
