At this year's Academy Awards ceremony, Cirque du Soleil took to the stage to dazzle audiences with their daring and astonishing stunts. The gymnasts used their contortionist skills to honor cinema with a mix of acrobatic and aerial stunts.
At this year's Academy Awards ceremony, Cirque du Soleil took to the stage to dazzle audiences with their daring and astonishing stunts. The gymnasts used their contortionist skills to honor cinema with a mix of acrobatic and aerial stunts. Reuters

At this year's Academy Awards ceremony, Cirque du Soleil took to the stage to dazzle audiences with their daring and astonishing stunts. The gymnasts used their contortionist skills to honor cinema with a mix of acrobatic and aerial stunts.

We've got puppets, acrobats...we're a pony away from a bar mitzvah! host Billy Crystal exclaimed following the performance.

The performance began with two suited circus artists soaring above the heads of the audience members, floating over the aisles and swiftly landing on the stage. The ensemble of more than 50 dance and gymnastic artists showcased talent, performing aerial tosses and outrageous maneuvers.

And audience members weren't the only ones impressed. Viewers posted their opinions on Twitter as the performance was happening live.

Cirque du Soleil at the #Oscars. Wow. #MindBlown, tweeted one viewer.

That Oscar Cirque du Soleil was amazing! posted another.

However, despite the adoration, some felt that the live performance art seemed out of place at the award ceremony.

If it ain't in the movies, or from the movies, then cut it!, wrote E! Online.

This is the first time that the circus troupe has performed at the Academy Awards since 2002.

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