Munarriz sees format slugout between Disney and IMAX for 3D market

[cellarhound]

Munarriz sees format slugout between Disney and IMAX for 3D market

April 4, 2007

Rick Aristotle Munarriz sees a sluggout in the market place between the IMAX format and the Digital 3D format recently championed by Disney (and DreamWorks Animation). He wonders if Disney is missing a beat by not taking their 3D renderings to IMAX screens... Reasoning that there doesn't seem to be much growth in Digital Projection in the traditional format at the moment (beyond Regal Theatres). And IMAX is pondering switching to a Digital Projection System... Convergence of technology anyone?

To read more of his column it is on Motley Fool

[FrumiousBoojum]

Mr. Rick doesn't seem to understand that IMAX is not one of the better 3D systems and that Reel D is among the best systems...

[cellarhound]

That is what Mr. Rick is saying is that since IMAX is switching to Digital Projection, it is going to have to change how it presents its 3D offerings anyway... He has been very critical of IMAX recently.... might be that he is covering his bets...

[FrumiousBoojum]

IMAX will need to change a lot to match the quality of Reel D. Which would not only mean new projectors, but probably new screens as well.

[Doopey1]

Meet the Robinsons in Digital 3D was really amazing. It's probably the highest quality viewing experience i've ever had at the movies. And the 3D immersion definitely elevated a merely good film into a pretty exciting one.

That said, Polar Express in IMAX 3D left a much greater "wow" impression, even though from a technical standpoint the 3D is clearly not as good. I think it's because 1) the IMAX screen is just so overwhelmingly huge and truly immersive, and 2) for me Polar Express is a better film, 3) it was my first experience to see a "new" 3D motion picture that wasn't a science film or a theme park attraction.

If IMAX converts to digital 3D it could be really jaw-dropping, and hopefully they could sign some future agreements to show Disney films too!

[Soulquarian]

IMAX 3D sucks. Plain and simple.

I don't even WANT to see Meet the Robinsons, but the presentation of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Chicken Little (which I didn't like either), was so fantastic that there's a good chance I may see it.

I saw Superman Returns at the IMAX in 3D and have no desire to see another 3D film there.

[Aladdin]

Open Season was really good in IMAX 3D.

[Doopey1]

Originally Posted by Soulquarian

IMAX 3D sucks. Plain and simple.

I don't even WANT to see Meet the Robinsons, but the presentation of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Chicken Little (which I didn't like either), was so fantastic that there's a good chance I may see it.

I saw Superman Returns at the IMAX in 3D and have no desire to see another 3D film there.

I hear you. Disney 3D is way superior to IMAX 3D, I fully agree. I'm just saying that the overall experience of Polar Express was greater for me at that point in time.

And you should check out Meet the Robinsons in 3D, it's definitely worth it.

[cellarhound]

Originally Posted by Soulquarian

I saw Superman Returns at the IMAX in 3D and have no desire to see another 3D film there.

Dude, you are letting Superman Returns be the measure of weather or not Imax 3D is any good or not?

1st off, Superman Returns was not shot/rendored with 3D in mind.

2nd, It was a bad and boring film... Longest two hours of my life trying to make it through the video... I could show you the claw markes on my door of me trying to escape...