Field of Vision

Last night I went to see The Matrix Reloaded, shown on the local IMAX. My friend, Penny joined me.

Wow.

This is an amazing way to see a feature film, but perhaps too intense for regular viewing. The picture, huge, bright, crystal clear, was actually too big. One couldn't see it all. And the shear size of the image and its quality did no favors for the actors skin - showing every flaw in striking detail.

Now perhaps that's one of the visual effects the directors were after, and I have no complaints on that side. I found the movie, the 2nd of 3 parts, to be visually stunning, entertaining, and engrossing. I await the next and final chapter (as opposed to the next Star Wars movie, which I rather dread).

But back to the IMAX. I'm becoming something of a cinema connoisseur, not movies, mind you, where I'm certainly an enthusiastic amateur, but for the movie house itself. Having studied and built my own cinema, I've had to examine and consider the environment for viewing movies for over a year now. I'm by no means an expert, but I an keenly aware of the items that make for an ideal, and less than ideal movie experience. I can't explain acoustics, but I've worked with those who do, as well as lighting, projection, image quality, even seating and refreshments. By way of proof, a friend and frequent movie goer (at least once a week if not more) when visiting my cinema recently reported that watching a movie (actually The Matrix), was "the best movie or theater experience I've had in over 20 years", only to be matched by a now closed 20s era movie palace.

But back to my point. The IMAX may produce physically undesirable effects - it's just too big, too loud, too intense and too immersive. I was tired and had a bit of a headache coming out of the movie.

In addition, I'd written recently about enjoying watching the credits. On this screen, once again, they're too big and difficult to focus on. They may have been easier to see, read, and understand on a smaller or normal sized movie screen. It will be interesting to see this film in my cinema when it becomes available on DVD.

All that aside - a very interesting way to see a movie and I'm open to seeing another on the IMAX screen to try it again.

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