IMAX has become synonymous with quality and a movie-going experience that is second to none. So, why, as of late have people been complaining that the additional $5 paid for IMAX is being wasted, and the experience is watered down? Whether or not the experience is good is always based on more than picture and sound, it’s about the lighting, the stupid baby in the third row, the guy with the cell phone and the butter of the popcorn, and is often varied from person to person, but the actual quality of the IMAX presentation is based on facts, so lets take a look.
Currently, the resolution is filmed with a standard camera by most directors, with few exceptions, The Dark Knight being the most successful, the projector setup in theaters is two 2k projectors showing what is essentially the same resolution you get in regular theaters. The sound quality is generally of a higher quality, and should be noticeable.
The theater size is the next noticeable feature of IMAX, and anyone who argues that size doesn’t matter has never been to a true IMAX theater. Slashfilm has a great article about this with the following graphic showing what a true IMAX theater shows, versus the standard theaters that pretend to be IMAX, and the graphic is pretty evident, your not getting what you pay for at most IMAX locations.
So, it sounds to me that you’re getting average quality picture, on an average theater size, with above average sound, provided the theater is setup for the sound upgrade. I personally won’t waste my money on that, not when the regular theater is good enough for me. The good news, though is Regal and AMC are in the process (as of this week) of installing new 4k projectors that should offer a much better picture; now if they can upgrade the screen size, the IMAX theaters should start resembling IMAX theaters.
So, what do you think, is the $5 worth the experience, or are you sticking to the standard theaters for now?
Currently, the resolution is filmed with a standard camera by most directors, with few exceptions, The Dark Knight being the most successful, the projector setup in theaters is two 2k projectors showing what is essentially the same resolution you get in regular theaters. The sound quality is generally of a higher quality, and should be noticeable.
The theater size is the next noticeable feature of IMAX, and anyone who argues that size doesn’t matter has never been to a true IMAX theater. Slashfilm has a great article about this with the following graphic showing what a true IMAX theater shows, versus the standard theaters that pretend to be IMAX, and the graphic is pretty evident, your not getting what you pay for at most IMAX locations.
So, it sounds to me that you’re getting average quality picture, on an average theater size, with above average sound, provided the theater is setup for the sound upgrade. I personally won’t waste my money on that, not when the regular theater is good enough for me. The good news, though is Regal and AMC are in the process (as of this week) of installing new 4k projectors that should offer a much better picture; now if they can upgrade the screen size, the IMAX theaters should start resembling IMAX theaters.
So, what do you think, is the $5 worth the experience, or are you sticking to the standard theaters for now?
3 comments:
I think you might be compensating for something here.....does this post belong on my column? lol
it does have a inyourendo to it, doesn't it?!
Check this out, from IMDB:
"In an interview with Los Angeles Times columnist Patrick Goldstein, Gelfond says that he expects the study to determine, "Is it just a few bloggers or is there really a bigger adverse audience reaction?""
See, we have the power...if it gets to IMAX execs already...Imagine what we can do!
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