This year’s 81^st Academy Awards ceremony saw a new host on its extravagant stage, as well as a rather different approach of the event. However, have these changes managed to make a difference?

 

 In 2009, the Academy decided to rely on Hugh Jackman, an actor best known for his role as Wolverine in the popular “X-Men” films who is also a recognized musical theatre actor. Everybody counted on his presence to offer an incredible performance that has escaped the likes of figures such as Jon Stewart and Chris Rock throughout the past few years.

 

Although the “Australia” star was the subject of headlines even before the Oscar night arrived, he did not benefit from an extended time on stage. He kicked off the act with a couple of sharp lines with regard to the economic crisis. “Everything is being downsized because of the recession; next year I'll be starring in a movie called New Zealand,” the actor said.

 

Nevertheless, apart from these droll affirmations, and a few more “how great was that?” remarks, Hugh Jackman’s performance added up to a couple of song and dance routines. The first was precisely the kind of act Billy Crystal would open the event with, in spite of the fact that several technical matters differed. As for the second number, in which Hugh Jackman and Beyonce Knowles sang a mix of hits from Academy Award-winning musicals combined by Baz Luhrmann, was outstandingly impressive and entirely deserved the standing ovation it received.