AceShowbiz -

Instead of presenting live performances of Best Original Song contenders like it did in most previous years, this year's Academy Awards tapped Cirque du Soleil to cater star-studded audience. This was the second time the troupe performed at the event following their gig in 2002. This time around, they got help from composer "Iris" composer Danny Elfman.

They were introduced by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. While they did acrobatic spins, movie fans' favorites like "North by Northwest," "Titanic," "Spider-Man" and "Gone with the Wind" were flashed on the big screen. George Clooney and Stacy Keibler were among those who were impressed with the show.

After the performance, host Billy Crystal reappeared on stage praising the troupe before giving shout-out to some of the old people in attendance, including Christopher Plummer. At the age of 82, he won Best Supporting Actor and became the oldest winner at the Oscars.

Celebrating its 84th anniversary, 2012 Academy Awards kicked off with "The Descendants" and "Midnight in Paris" spoofs. The former featured Clooney kissing Crystal, and the latter saw Justin Bieber getting "him 18-24 year-old demographic."