Neil Patrick Harris opened the 87th Annual Oscars Sunday night with an "ode" to moving pictures. Given Harris' theater background, an "act" was expected, but Harris brought it to life with an interactive background, Stormtroopers, and some help from Anna Kendrick and Jack Black.
Back in October, there was a report that Harris wasn't the Academy's first choice to host the show. Ellen DeGeneres and Chris Rock were reportedly considered. But Harris's exciting opening number was probably something only he could pull off and a testament to his strengths as a host.