And what a show. The movie was very good, and truly stunning to watch in IMAX 3D. According to the theater's special introduction soundtrack, Superman Returns is the first live action film to have been put through the IMAX 3D conversion process. As I had read that the film would be made available in IMAX 3D several weeks ago, I knew I was interested in seeing it. Aside from the many documentaries I have seen in various museum based IMAX's across the country, this would be my first "Feature Length Film" viewed in an IMAX theater.
As the opening credits rolled, it became very clear that we --the audience, were about to embark on an epic journey through space --too earth-- to visit the story of Superman's return to Metropolis. The massive screen size, and clear picture certainly helped portray the vastness of space as various far away planets and stars spun by.
Although the opening credits rolled in 2D, 3D scenes have been distributed throughout the movie in the IMAX 3D release. My understanding is that director Brian Singer, was allowed to make a total of 28 minutes of film into IMAX 3D. This meant that he had to select scenes with depths of field that would take special advantage of IMAX's new conversion technology, and those that would also truly enhance the audiences enjoyment of the film.
I think Mr. Singer got it right. Some scenes in 3D literally had me dodging to my right to avoid getting hit by debris. That kind of immersion is something even the most visionary of filmmakers only has wet dreams about. While some scenes didnt seem to benefit at all from the enhancements, it was very clear when the right scene came along, that the meteor, or Superman, or Lex Luther's boat were in fact popping out and moving in a new dimension. This gives the scenes a much more deep, and real feeling than you are accustomed too. At one point early in the movie, I actually saw a gentleman reach out and try to touch one of the characters that was floating in front of the screen.
Although 3D is exciting, Superman Returns wasn't only a great film because of the new theater experience afforded by IMAX 3D. It was a great film because it got the right balance of action, story and drama. It is the delicate mixing of those three things that makes for such terrific summer blockbusters as ID4, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Batman Begins and so on... Superman Returns gets it right in that sense, and some scenes are absolutely mesmorizing. Brandon Routh does an exceptional job of speaking his lines with the same degree of innocence and sense of duty as did Christopher Reeves, and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther is just plain perfect.
Some scenes had me holding my breath, and ready to break a sweat. To me, thats what movies should be able to do. And therefore I am excited to say that Superman Returns is definitely worth seeing in IMAX 3D if possible (just costs $5 more, make sure you get a good seat). And if not possible, go and see it in your local theater. Just be prepared for the return of a long forgotten hero, and a few hours of old fashion movie watching (2 hrs 37min Runtime!).
9/10 when seen in a good seat in IMAX 3D. Probably an 8 out of ten in regular theaters/ DVD.
- As a side note, I suggest you get to the theater early, as there are several 3D trailers that are shown before the movie that really show off the characteristics of IMAX 3D, and also it could be hard to find a good seat, even now, after 2 weeks in theaters.
- I think that if more movies come out on IMAX 3D, we'll see a lot more people heading back to the movies in order to get an experience that they just cant get at home. I'm a home theater buff, so I really enjoy myself when watching a DVD at home. However, this experience was plainly the most immersive I have had in years (ever?), and was worth all 11.50 of my hard earned dollars. (It doesn't hurt that I was a superman fan before the movie).
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