INDIANAPOLIS – Aside from the game itself, it was all about the entertainment inside Lucas Oil Stadium – the glitter, grandeur and, of course, the grand dame of pop.
Madonna, 53, delivered a powerhouse performance highlighted by the finale, "Like a Prayer."
She also added guests Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green to the set.
Before Madonna, the pre-game festivities kicked off with the Indiana University Marching 100, who spelled out "Indy 2012" on the field. The sound was not quite loud enough to carry to the upper reaches of the stadium.
Next up were the team introductions – a very low-key mix of small flags and some smoke. It didn't scream "super" at all.
Then country music stars – and married couple – Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert gave a nice rendition of "America the Beautiful."
Lambert sported massive earrings and a pink rhinestone microphone, and the duo blended nicely.
Every time U.S. soldiers were shown on the video board during this song and the national anthem, the crowd cheered loudly.
Pop icon Kelly Clarkson – with sleek hair and a little black dress – then delivered a flawless version of the Star-Spangled Banner. She didn't miss any of the words, like last year's performer Christina Aguilera.
A great addition to the song was the backup provided by members of the Indianapolis Children's Choir; the earnest and nervous faces of the kids were a delight for the crowd.
The only thing missing was the a jet flyover normally seen at open-air stadiums.
Indiana state Sen. Vaneta Becker – who earlier this year introduced a bill to regulate the singing of the anthem – would have approved of Clarkson's traditional and safe anthem.
Brent Hollison, a 42-year-old Patriots fan from Boston, said he expected more pomp and circumstance from the pre-game festivities.
"Everything they did they did well, but I'm not sure it was big enough," he said.
The showmanship and excellent lighting of Madonna's halftime show made up for anything lacking beforehand.
A massive stage was constructed in about eight minutes and Madonna had a Cleopatra-like entrance to her hit smash "Vogue." Pictures of old Hollywood stars were beamed onto the field.
The music then morphed into LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem as they joined Madonna on stage, uttering their now-infamous line "I'm sexy, and I know it."
Minaj and M.I.A. then joined Madonna to perform her newest song, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," complete with gold pom-poms and a marching band.
But it was the last song – "Like a Prayer" – that transfixed the audience. Backed up by a large gospel choir and artist Cee-lo, the audience used flashlights placed under their seats to illuminate the stadium.
The number ended with the words "World Peace" glittering on the field.
Janice Thorn, a transplant from New York who now lives in Chicago, raved about the Madonna performance.
"What a great way to show she's back," she said.
