CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[jbmeyer13]

I went to the midnight sowing of Prometheus in 3-D IMAX and thought I’d report back on my experience with the so called “state of the art”. The story and execution were everything I had hoped for and overall I left the theater extremely satisfied. While I won’t get into specifics of the plot; I will say that this film is a must see.

Okay, down to business on the presentation. IMAX theaters have sounds systems that could raise the dead; the clarity at obscenely high audible levels is as good as it gets for commercial cinemas (with exception of certain grand theaters like the Ziegfield in NYC). The video is a trade off in my mind and very dependent on what you value in terms of video characteristics.

Due to the sheer size and orientation of the screen combined with the 3-D, the sense of spatial depth is profound. The director Ridley Scott made good use of this technology much the way Cameron did with Avatar and there is a definite difference when compared to films where the 3-D was done in post-production. Normally I opt for the standard 2-D presentation but because Scott was so adamant about having shot this in 3-D I opted to go that route instead. While the immersion is great, it comes at a price…

As it is, DLP washes out the black levels and with the polarized glasses the colors are muted even further. I removed the glasses a few times throughout the film and the difference is like night and day in terms of saturation. However, the real kicker is the absolutely MASSIVE screen door effect. I arrived at the theater early and had optimal seating yet could see pixelization throughout the entire film. Even after 90 minutes with my eyes having adjusted to the environment, there were scenes where I thought I was watching a damn LCD projector.

Each individual will have to decide whether the “3-D immersion” is worth the trade-offs. IMO, this is another fine example of why digital technology is still incapable of replicating a true film like image. If they can’t do it with a $500K commercial projection system then it sure isn’t happening with a consumer grade digital PJ. Thankfully, the story was good enough to get me past these shortcomings but I would not see this film for a second time in this format as the drawbacks would be too distracting.

[Spanky Ham]

Interesting observation. I opt out of 3D unless I otherwise am forced to see it. I saw Hugo in 3D and still didn't like it.

Audio and video are two separate things. It looks like there is a lot of new things coming in the audio theater world. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

As for your video impression, it sounds like the theater has an older cinema dlp. No matter what anyone says, theater on/off cr has always sucked, whether from film or digital. There is just no way around it. The newer dlps seem to max out what is available, but it can never be great. As for screen door, that should be eliminated in the next two years with the coming of 4k. Some theaters already have 4k pjs today. If you can see screen door on a 4k, then you are sitting five feet from the screen.

[jbmeyer13]

Good point regarding the 4K. I had the chance to see the Batman trailer in 4K via a Regal RPX theater and it looked incredible; no pixels.

[ecrabb]

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm re-thinking 3D - a bit. I still think a great 2D presentation is vastly preferable to even the best 3D, but for certain movies, I think it might be cool.

Why the change? A buddy of mine and I went to see The Avengers. He'd already seen it on the biggest, oldest screen in town, so since I was dragging him to see it again, I suggested 3D (against my preference) to mix it up for him.

We both loved it. Tons of action, great 3D. Most of it was subtle, but there was occasional "stuff coming out of the screen", but because the movie was big graphic novel action film, it wasn't gratuitous like some 3D. It felt like it was all supposed to be there.

We didn't see it on a huge screen, either. Typical suburban stadium-style, chosen only because it's 2 minutes from my house.

We sat about 1/3 of the way back, I'd guess, and even there, I think the viewing angle was smaller than in my own theater. It was still fun and good, though. No problem with pixels or anything; just my usual complaint about 3D being not as bright/colorful.

So, the take away? 3D is great for those kinds of movies. Everything else? Meh.

I'm about 99% certain I'd prefer to see Prometheus in 2D.

SC

[ecrabb]

Oh, just as a point of reference, I've only seen two movies in the theater in 3D, now... Avatar and The Avengers. Avengers was great and fun in 3D. Avatar I would have rather seen in 2D.

I meant to try and go see Tron in 3D before it was gone (saw it in 2D), but never got around to it.

SC

[nettwerkjohn]

we saw prometheus in 3d last night - SOME of the 3d is stunning - the visual displays in the spaceship especially, but overall - don't like how hoky it generally is - all rocks flying at you etc. wife often gets blurred images or headaches. don't like the loss in color or brightness either.

BUT we went to the super flash theater in Wellington, and it was the best film experience that i have had outside my home theater. generally here in NZ films are out of focus, the audio is clipping, they leave the lights on etc etc. and thats before the other patrons do their bit to wreck the experience. this, however, was something else. good seats, awesome video, HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE! screen, good brightness, excellent shadow detail, good sound. i was pleasantly surprised - the experience was as good as the one at home. and thats a first.

film itself was ok, a few gaping holes, but we both enjoyed it.

[CharlieB2]

We just saw the Imax-3D Prometheus, and it was a knock-out! Not just the magnificent photography, fantastic sets, great 3-D, but the story can leave you wondering for days about all the implications and connections, and there are a lot of them. I really recommend it, and then after seeing it, read the various internet reviews and blogs and comments to get more perspective and pickup what you missed. It is obviously a pre-prequel to the classic 1979 Alien, but it is much, much more.

[jeffslife]

IMAX 3D loved it ! IMAX blows away real D 3 D. No comparision.