Oscars 2017: Justin Timberlake's opening gets mixed reaction

Justin Timberlake performs Can't Stop the Feeling at today's Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. Photo/AP

He steered clear of any talk about American President Donald Trump, but Justin Timberlake's musical opening for this year's Oscars still had tongues wagging.

Timberlake opened today's Academy Awards ceremony with a song-and-dance routine to his hit song Can't Stop This Feeling, complete with a remixed middle section and an outro that included covering a portion of Bill Withers' Lovely Day.

Justin Timberlake performs Can't Stop the Feeling at the Oscars in Los Angeles. Photo/AP

The performance included a high-five with Denzel Washington. Actor Javiar Bardem danced like he was in a nightclub.

It was a feel-good opening to the ceremony that turned a little awkward when he threw to host Jimmy Kimmel and experienced microphone feedback.

As Kimmel walked on stage he quipped: "Oh good, I got a sitting ovation," and Timberlake was seen jokingly skulking out of the way.

Kimmel later told Timberlake that if his former bandmates in 'N Sync were watching, they'd let him back into the band.

Timberlake's performance earned a mixed reaction on Twitter.

Timberlake sounded terrible.

— Boo Radley (@ClauGasol) February 27, 2017

Can Justin Timberlake please host the Oscars next year??? @TheAcademy do this

— kendall (@kendall_l) February 27, 2017

Justin Timberlake sings the WORST SONG EVER!!! #oscars2017

— 𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖘𝖆 𝕽.⁷ (prod. SUGA) (@LuxintheRoom) February 27, 2017

Justin Timberlake is stealing the show at the Oscars #Oscars

— NBAMVP (@NBAMVP) February 27, 2017

Oscars, why was Justin Timberlake so mad after his performance? I caught him frowning.🤔

— Houston Yoga & Ayurv (@Yoga_Ayurveda) February 27, 2017

Great way to start the Academy Awards. Lovely, energetic performance from Justin Timberlake.

— Arjun Narayan (@narayan_arjun) February 27, 2017

Earlier, Timberlake said the beginning of the Oscars would be free of politics.

He said: "Watch the top of the show, it will be very un-political. I can promise you that."

It was an apparent tease to Timberlake's performance of his Oscar-nominated song, Can't Stop the Feeling, which is from the animated film Trolls.

Timberlake said he was happy the academy honoured such a feel-good song. "I think the world could use a little bit of that."

Politics is on the mind of many nominees at today's ceremony. Some top nominees, including Ruth Negga and director Barry Jenkins, were seen wearing blue ribbons supporting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Others, including documentary nominee Ava DuVernay and best actor nominee Andrew Garfield, say art is inherently political and winners should express their feelings about the current political climate if they wish.

- With AP