The reason I'm writing this piece is to explain what a 3D movie is. I think that people who haven't been to an IMAX theater or watched a 3D movie yet can benefit from this article and avoid looking like a newbie.
The usher will hand out 3D glasses when you enter the theater. These glasses need to be returned after the movie, on your way out.
As we took our seats, we noticed that a lot of people in front of us were wearing their 3D glasses already. Some even commented: "Wow, it is clearer and more realistic!" Ummm.... ahem.... they're still showing previews, it's not the actual 3D movie yet! It was really amusing.
Points to Remember when you're watching a 3D movie for the first time:
The 3D glasses will work only with a 3D movie. On a 2D film, it has no effect. So, wait for the sign that will be displayed on the movie screen. It will tell you when to put your 3D glasses on.
What is the difference between a regular movie, a regular 3D movie and a 3D movie on IMAX?
A regular movie is viewed in 2 dimensions (2D), it is flat and only has one layer. When you watch a 2D movie, it's like watching something happening outside your window.
In comparison, a 3D movie is rendered in groups. It is 3 dimensional, allowing you to view the movie from different angles. You can actually imagine yourself in the film - giving you a more realistic experience. It has depth. The process of rendering in groups using 3D animation software makes it more costly to develop - hence the higher cost of tickets.
A IMAX 3D movie is delivered with even better quality. It delivers brighter and clearer images better than any other 3D technology today. An IMAX 3D movie is composed of two separate images projected on the silver coated IMAX screen. One image is captured from the point of view of our right eye, and the other image from the point of view of the left eye. This explains why a 3D movie looks blurred when you watch it without 3D glasses, like the image below.
What is the purpose of the 3D glasses?
It separates the two images - so you're right eye is seeing a different image from your left eye. Our brain processes these images and blends them together, creating a stunning 3D image. The image just leaps out of the screen.
In addition, an IMAX theater has a higher and wider curved screen and the seats are positioned closer to it. You can never have a bad seat on an IMAX theater. The sound system is better. The screen is brighter. The whole theater is designed specifically to enhance your viewing experience.
IMAX also uses Digital Re-Mastering or DMR on the film itself. After the movie is shot, the IMAX team spends time with the directors and technical teams, enhancing the sound quality, adjusting the contrast and whatever else they do in the DRM facility, to fine-tune the film.
When we watched the city burning in The Hobbit, I felt like the ashes are falling on me and I instinctively wanted to swipe them away! When the dwarves crossed the cliffs going to the Lonely Mountain, I felt slightly dizzy as I perceived the height of the mountains and the depth of the ravines surrounding them. That's the power of 3D IMAX movies. It's just awesome.
Are 3D IMAX movies worth the cost? I think it depends on the movie... I will certainly not watch a drama on 3D! Sci Fi movies like Star Wars and Fantasy Adventure movies such as The Hobbit and other films using Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) will be worth the money.
If I could watch my favorite sci-fi and adventure movies on 3D all over again, I would!
After reading this, you can now walk into an IMAX theater like you've been doing it all your life.
Newbie? Of course not. :)
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