Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars honor past performances

Super Bowl halftime show 2016: Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars honor past performances

The Super Bowl 50 halftime show was better than it had any right to be. A largely okay performance by Coldplay was rescued with a stroke of brilliance by Beyonce and Bruno Mars.

It opened with a Coldplay mashup of "Yellow" and "Viva La Vida" with lead singer Chris Martin getting ... intimate with the crowd. He dove into fans while singing and keeping things upbeat. The performance then moved into "Paradise" complete with fireworks, streamers, flags and a stadium full of color. Fans held up placards that spelled out "Believe in love."

Things took a turn to the modern with "Adventure of a Lifetime" from the band's latest album "A Head Full of Dreams." Then it was time for Bruno Mars, who took over the show with "Uptown Funk."

Enter the queen. Beyonce took to the field with a cadre of dancers and 30 foot flames shooting into the air with every line of "Formation."

The on-field crowd was less into this section, but the stands were rocking when Beyonce and Bruno Mars had a sing-off, too, with "Uptown Funk" dueling with "Single Ladies" as the pair joined Chris Martin on stage for the performance. There was only one near-fault, with Beyonce almost falling over, but she saved herself with grace.

With the energy reaching ludicrous heights, the halftime show took a step back to the slow. Coldplay performed "Clocks," while a montage of the amazing Super Bowl performances of the past played on the screen. From Bruce Springsteen to Prince and even Katy Perry -- every past performance was honored. Sadly, there was no Left Shark representation.

Overall, it was a well done and entertaining halftime show that was better than it had any right to be.