Overall Thoughts:
Amodio--OK, I loved this program. (FYI, the costume looks straight out of the ones in the broadway version of The LION King, IMO). Yes, he's dialed back the quad attempts (and falls); but he looks happy. He hits all the minute details in the music. And finally there is a point to all that great footwork! No time wasted gyrating his hips. Yikes on the spin! But I'd love to see this program again.
Michal--AND I loved this program for him! SO TIRED of the Untouchables/Dull Macho style for him. This was fun! And even though he was having such a rough go on the jumps, he still tried to perform, which is a step up for Michal. Gorgeous 3 axle as always. But, sadly, the other jumps not so much.
Kozuka--I love Kozuka's skating. And I love the program. I just wish he would go out there and skate with freedom and confidence. Knowing he really just needs to skate for himself.
Max--YAYYYYYYYY! Two quads, two triple axles. SHOULD have rocked the technical mark in the short, but I will take this. He isn't an artist, but he IS a competitor; and we desperately need that in the U.S. (I also can't help but see Yagudin during the Gladiator, and sadly that includes the absolute meltdown Alexei had with this music at Worlds).
Menshev--Needed the second quad. Same strengths & weaknesses as Max, plus Menshev had the cushion he needed in the short. Sadly, not the competitiveness.
Mura--Well, he was great today. Skated as well as I can possibly fathom him skating. Big standing ovation. The thing is . . . of all these guys, he had nothing to lose. The real question is whether he can skate under the pressure of knowing he can win?
Javier--Sigh. Once again, gave away just enough to ensure he wouldn't get the placement he wanted. (Very much like Takahashi early in his career. Not huge mistakes, but always just enough to not get the job done). I like the program, and the choreography. Javier came out in the middle of Mura's standing "O" and let the pressure & early mistakes deride the performance. The vocals, though . . . I think scrap them and let the nuances in the choreography shine. (You'd better be able to seriously bring the drama if you plan on skating up to these vocals). Anyway, I think he'll make the final. That's not where the pressure is for him. And I think this program will be fine.
This was a phenomenal field of men! And Phantom excepted, a lot of fun programs!
All that said, nothing like Machida's Beethoven number. (FABULOUS! For me, that is the program of the season in any discipline thus far.)
:scratch: not the first time he has made a silly mistake. These two are talented skaters but needs to get it together. I felt sad for Kozuka while his program left me cold. Brezina's program I enjoyed the most in terms of choreo and how clean his movements were despite his technical failures. And Adam was just a mess.
I don't think there anyone now who feels and interprets the music like Stephane.
