It's only appropriate that a film about the future be shown in the most futuristic movie cinemas. Brad Bird, the director of classic animated films ("Iron Giant," "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille") as well as the most recent "Mission Impossible" film ("Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol") is bringing his latest movie to the masses in not one but two premium high tech large screen formats. "Tomorrowland" will debut later this week in both IMAX and Dolby Cinema, allowing audiences to experience this futuristic world in a more immediate, and more immersive fashion.
IMAX combines a high quality digitally projected image with an oversized screen and stadium seating to create a wonderfully immersive viewing environment. IMAX also uses a proprietary 12-channel immersive surround sound system to bring you right into the action. Dolby Cinema utilizes Dolby Vision-enabled laser-lit projectors to create a bright and detailed image with a wider color spectrum than traditional digital cinema projectors. It also uses Dolby Atmos object-based immersive surround sound to pump out sound to up to 64 different speakers around and above the listener.
So which one should you choose? The choice may be made for you, depending on where you live. IMAX has over 900 screens in 62 countries while the just-announced Dolby Cinema is currently only available in select AMC theaters in three markets (Kansas City, MO; Humble, TX; and Alpharetta, GA). The film is also being shown at the El Capitan in Hollywood using Dolby Vision projection and Dolby Atmos sound, though this is not branded a "Dolby Cinema" theater.
If you ask the director, he offers effusive praise for both formats. "Dolby Vision is laser-projection: it's an incredibly bright image, unbelievably sharp and has a much bigger color spectrum." As for the sound, "I'm a long time admirer of Dolby's Atmos. I was just waiting for a chance to do Atmos because it wasn't in my last film, but it is in this one." Regarding IMAX, Bird had this to say, "I'm a huge fan of IMAX... It's keeping the immersive film experience alive. That's why I love to see things in IMAX." Bird makes full use of the taller IMAX aspect ratio with the film, which makes the film's visuals even more impressive in IMAX theaters.
But don't take our word for it; you can find Bird as well as other members of the "Tomorrowland" crew talking about the benefits of both formats in these short video clips:
So if you're planning to check out the film, then pony up a little extra to check it out in IMAX or Dolby Cinema and let us know what you think in the comments.
Theaters showing "Tomorrowland" in Dolby Cinema:
Find Theaters Showing "Tomorrowland" in IMAX:
