Home Entertainment Midweek Movie Mouth-off: IMAX – is it worth it?

Midweek Movie Mouth-off: IMAX – is it worth it?

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Confession time: I have yet to see a movie on IMAX.

Firstly, I’m lazy. I hardly ever go to the cinema in the first place, but when I do I go to the closest one to my house. The closest IMAX theatre to me is in Pretoria which is just way too far to drive. Secondly, I’m cheap. Cinema tickets are expensive when you don’t have all the different benefits cards that give you discounts, and if I went to the movies as often as I’d like, I’d probably be broke. IMAX tickets are even more expensive than your regular tickets, with their own special IMAX 3D glasses that you need as well. Oh right, and the 3D. Thirdly, I really, really don’t like 3D.

But, from what I’ve read (in press releases and otherwise), the visual quality is incredible, the sound is amazing, and the screen itself is so freaking huge you can’t help but get suckered in to the movie you’re watching.

So I want to know from everyone that’s been to see a movie on IMAX, is it worth it? Are you so enamoured with IMAX that you’d go see whatever’s showing, or do you save it for specific movies? What are your thoughts on the whole experience?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: April 8, 2015

14 Comments

  1. DarthZA

    April 8, 2015 at 10:36

    Without a doubt yes. If you really don’t think it is worth it, watch a movie on IMAX, and then watch it again on normal. We did that with Winter Soldier, and the normal screen looked blurry because we had tainted our eyes with sexy quality. My wife and I don’t even watch movies anymore if they’re not on IMAX because I feel like I am being robbed whenever I do.

    Reply

  2. Koko

    April 8, 2015 at 11:09

    I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy on IMAX 3D twice…and dodged the same thrown weapon both times even though I was waiting for it. Can’t help but get drawn into it.
    I am not a fan of 3D life action movies, but on the new IMAX it isn’t an issue. Really enjoy it. Really want to watch Avengers 2 there as well if only bookings will open…
    I don’t watch movies on the medium screen anymore. With discount cards, it’s really not that bad, unless you get suckered into buying drinks and popcorn for ridiculous prices, which I usually end up doing as well anyway. Very glad IMAX is back.

    Reply

  3. Kromas is drunk with power!

    April 8, 2015 at 11:25

    I find IMAX spoils (enhances some would say) the experience. If you are too busy looking at all the pretty stuff you miss a hell of a lot of story. I call it Avatar sickness.

    Reply

  4. RinceThis

    April 8, 2015 at 12:48

    Good question. It depends if it’s shot in 60fps, I find if it isn’t it’s just too damn blurry. Can’t clearly see what’s going on.

    Reply

    • Kervyn Cloete

      April 8, 2015 at 13:23

      60fps? We’re talking about movies here, not PC games, boy! Also, are you referring to 3D blurriness? Coz that has nothing to do with IMAX and more to do with the way the films are made. Jupiter Ascending has lots of crazy action, but on IMAX 3D it was crisp and crystal clear.

      Also, you may need to have your eyes tested again.

      Reply

  5. konfab

    April 8, 2015 at 17:31

    I would say yes.

    In fact Ster Kinekor could be nice to Captownian movie lovers and rescreen Interstellar at Cape Gate for everyone who missed out on it.

    I would quite happily pay a bit more for it. Even if they just do one screening.

    Reply

    • Kervyn Cloete

      April 8, 2015 at 18:49

      There was a petition for that last year and it failed dismally. Ster Kinekor said that there are licensing issues and the availability of the IMAX copy of the movie would also be a factor, all of which means that doing a single screening that may not fill up is not financially feasible.

      I don’t completely believe them, but that was their story and they’re sticking to it.

      Reply

      • konfab

        April 8, 2015 at 23:09

        Obviously they ship back the IMAX HDDs when they are done with them 🙂

        Reply

        • Kervyn Cloete

          April 9, 2015 at 09:08

          Actually…. The movies literally are shipped around the country on special HDD’s these days. When the cinema gets them, they load them onto the system for a specific digital projector in a specific venue (which takes like 2-3 hrs for a normal movie, probably way longer for IMAX). The movie is still “locked” at this stage and cannot be played, until they enter a special key that they get from the studios/distributors.

          I know all of this, because we’ve had many a press screening cancelled or delayed by a HDD that didn’t arrive in time, or the cinema unable to get the correct key.

          Reply

          • konfab

            April 9, 2015 at 09:14

            I know, I remember it happened with the Fury screening at canal walk.

            Do you know what happens to those HDDs when they are done with them?

          • Kervyn Cloete

            April 9, 2015 at 09:16

            Not a clue.

  6. Dusty

    April 9, 2015 at 11:27

    Absolutely worth it. Pretty much everything has been said already but you must most definitely give it a go. I’m also not a big fan of 3D and have refused to watch anything 3D but I hate to admit, it’s really good if its not a conversion. My wife is a book nerd and don’t watch movies much, I took her to Guardians of the Galaxy and even though not a sci-fi fan either she loved the experience. Since then we’re pretty much in an IMAX cinema twice a month. Hell she’s even going to Furious 7 with me this Sunday which is downright unheard off. The picture, sound and especially seats (talking The Grove here) is worth R99 escapism for two odd hours.

    Reply

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