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The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions to be Released as IMAX(R) Films

Digitally Re-mastered Using IMAX(R) DMR(TM) Technology The Matrix Reloaded to Premiere this Spring; The Matrix Revolutions To be the First-Ever IMAX Day and Date Release Of a Hollywood Live-Action Event Film this Fall

LOS ANGELES, Apr 23, 2003 - Imax Corporation announced today that The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, the second and third chapters in the Wachowski Brothers' revolutionary film trilogy, will be coming to IMAX(R) theatres this spring and fall. The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and producer Joel Silver, will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R), using the revolutionary and proprietary IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The financial terms were not disclosed.

The Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience will open shortly after the film's 35mm release on May 15th. And, on November 5th, The Matrix Revolutions: The IMAX Experience will be released simultaneously on giant IMAX screens in the IMAX 15/70 format and in conventional theatres in the standard 35mm format. This will mark the first time ever that a Hollywood live action event film is released concurrently in 35mm and IMAX's format. IMAX's agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures, which will be the exclusive distributor of the films to IMAX theatres worldwide, is also the first multiple IMAX DMR film commitment by a major Hollywood studio.

"We're excited to give fans the opportunity to experience the world of The Matrix in this spectacular format," said Joel Silver, producer of The Matrix trilogy. "Throughout the IMAX DMR conversion process, the IMAX team took meticulous care in maintaining the technical integrity of the films. The IMAX Experience of both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions will add a new dimension to the films' groundbreaking visual action and advances the Wachowski Brothers' vision for telling the trilogy's story in multiple formats."

"The re-mastered IMAX versions of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions provide our audience with a whole new way to experience the films that is even more immersive and more exciting," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are very pleased to be able to bring these two innovative, cutting edge, spectacular motion picture experiences to the millions of Matrix fans and new audiences at IMAX theatres, and to be taking part in what we believe is part of the future of cinema. IMAX's dedication and enthusiasm under the direction of Greg Foster, IMAX's President of Filmed Entertainment, makes this project not only a landmark in motion picture distribution, but also a real pleasure, and one that we look forward to repeating in the near future."

"The Matrix always scored among the highest when we asked our consumers what movies they wanted to see re-mastered in IMAX's format, and we believe that the high concept, high tech films will be great for IMAX theatres," said Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, IMAX Corporation. "We are thrilled to work with Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow and Joel Silver to bring The Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience to IMAX theatres this spring -- and to be making motion picture history by bringing the first ever day and date release of a live-action event film to IMAX theatres with The Matrix Revolutions this fall. Today, our longtime goal of bringing Hollywood's best event films to IMAX theatres concurrent with the 35mm release, becomes a reality. Warner Bros. Pictures is truly visionary in seeding this new ancillary window through the release of these spectacular films."

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Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 04-23-2003, 11:29 AM:
 
HELL YEAH
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 04-23-2003, 11:53 AM:
 
How much footage will they be missing to fit on an IMAX platter?
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-23-2003, 12:18 PM:
 
The films will not be edited and will run approximately 140 minutes.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 04-23-2003, 12:57 PM:
 
How with "The Matrix" sequels be composed for the IMAX frame? The theatrical release will be 'scope via Super35 elements. The IMAX frame is somewhere between 1.33:1 and 1.66:1 (I forget). So obviously something has to be cropped or recomposed.

If "Reloaded" and "Revolutions" were done via digital intermediate natively in the 2.39:1 'scope ratio, that would cause some severe panning and scanning problems. Same would go for the CGI work. Either the shots would have to be re-rendered in a more open matte above and below or the IMAX frame is going to zoom into the image and blow pixels up even further.

Will the IMAX repurposing of "Matrix: Reloaded" only take place in IMAX branded theaters? If that is the case, are there any dates set on when it might debut?

Considering I'm going to have to do some driving to see this film in a decent theater (since the one here in Lawton I prefer isn't getting it), I may have to check out the show if it plays at Cinemark's IMAX setup in Tulsa or the ones in Dallas.
 

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Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 04-23-2003, 01:18 PM:
 
Adam -
will this have an intermission or will it use the larger platter for the qtru. we just have the 60 minutes version. i only hear about the problems other imax projectionists are having with the larger 120 minute platters, and as we are rarely ever in the imax booth these days i am a little concerned.
 

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Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 04-23-2003, 01:35 PM:
 
The article doesn't say it but this is not going to be 35mm played on an IMAX screen but an actual 70mm print?
 

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Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 04-23-2003, 02:06 PM:
 
Michael West said

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i only hear about the problems other imax projectionists are having with the larger 120 minute platters

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What problems have u heard. We run the 120 minute platters and have no problems with them.

Adam, what other upgrade can we do to the QTRU to hold "Matrix".?
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-23-2003, 02:40 PM:
 
This will be a 15/70 print with the original 35mm put through the DMR process.

There is additional room on the original QTRU arms for slightly larger platters. Either that space will be utilized or the reel units will be upgraded to four decks of 90-minute arms (for SR systems running changeover). The MK-II reel units will hold up to 125 minutes with only slight structural modifications, so theaters will be required to run with a QTRU unless an intermission is permitted.

The Imax AR is about 1.44:1. Apollo 13 and AOTC were both cropped/opened up to 1.66. Ghosts of the Abyss is being shown letterboxed to 1.75. I wouldn't even begin to guess what Warners is going to do about the aspect ratio, as these will be their first large format releases.
 

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Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 04-23-2003, 09:41 PM:
 
william
the problems i have heard with regards to the 120 minute qtru upgrades are with the print being thrown off the deck.
we have srs but with only the 60 minute reels.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-23-2003, 10:58 PM:
 
The problems where the prints were thrown from the platter involved the operator not operating the equipment properly in one way or another.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 04-24-2003, 01:23 AM:
 
Slightly off topic, but has anyone checked out the new "final theatrical trailer" for "The Matrix: Reloaded"?

I downloaded a couple Quicktime6 versions of the thing. Thank God for DSL! The standard "broadband" version of 640 X 346 pixels played fine on my machine. But they have an "ultimate" version that staggers at 96MB in size. Download the ZIP or Stuffit file (PC or Mac) and you'll get a "BETTER THAN DVD" quality image of 1000 X 540 pixels! Woah.
http://www.thematrix.com

I'm working on a now-aging Dell computer of just 1GHz and a decent GeForce2 GTS video card. That "ultimate" trailer really put a strain on the system. Dropped a few frames here and there. Might be a good download as an "acid test" for computer system strength. Nice high rez. Very recommended.

In closing, since I haven't got a response on it, what are the best theaters in OKC and Dallas? I need to see this movie in a good theater.
 

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Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 04-24-2003, 09:01 AM:
 
Micheal,
We have had prints thrown off twice, one time due to operator fault and one time in the credits of Haunted Castle 3D, not sure why it threw, but it did. We have velcro straps and little orange screw in clamps when we run a movie over the 60 minutes mark.

Adam, the MK-II can hold 125 minutes, I guess there will have to be an intermission for QTRU.
 

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Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 04-24-2003, 09:41 AM:
 
Adam / William
what exactly would one do to not operate the equiptment properly to have a "thrown print" i have never thrown a print in 35 or 70mm although when i run a trailer or jog the end of a feature i tape the remainder to the deck as i can see it slides some.
 

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Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 04-24-2003, 10:56 AM:
 
Micheal, do you use clamps scewed into the holes at the end of the platter? I have ran prints wihout them and no problmes, but I would advise against it. I know, when we opened we didn't use clamps. I think Space Station 3D was when we got clamps. I was not working here so I'm not sure.

To answer your question about what an operator would do to have a thrown print, I would say no clamps, brain wrap, print not centered, when the ring was pulled a bulge was created in the film.

Hope that was helpful.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 04-24-2003, 01:05 PM:
 
Will this be the first "R" rated IMAX movie?
 

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Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 04-24-2003, 02:30 PM:
 
William
so it looks as if it is just the standard things to watch for, i have had a brain wrap with imax four years ago (the first few center controllers were not quite as responsive as they are now) i will never forget that, it was my first week working the imax.
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 04-25-2003, 12:32 AM:
 
Bobby -- My roommate downloaded the "Ultimate" version of that trailer and I watched it in the "Screening Room" directly from the computer. Impressive, to say the least! We ran a few other trailers I had in the standard "LARGE" size, and it felt like watching a bootleg afterwards! There was almost NO pixellation in the ultimate version.

I'm running a P4 2.66GHz with an ATI All In Wonder Radeon 7500 hooked up to the SharpVision XV-S55U downstairs, projecting a 100" (diagonal) image at 1.33:1. I say ALMOST no pixellation because you can see pixels no matter what at that size!

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Chris Tyson (Member # 992) on 04-25-2003, 10:52 AM:
 
Are there any IMAX Theaters out there besides us that run First run 35mm movies on the IMAX screen?Reason I ask this is because we don't have any upgrades and are still running the old Dinosaur MK-1 reelunit and 15k 2D IMAX projector during the day and at night have a 35mm presentaion in the IMAX. This works well until now. Warner Bros. has contracted with IMAX to make the Matrix and won't allow us to show it in 35mm. Just wondering if anyone was stuck in the same situation as we are.
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-25-2003, 10:57 AM:
 
Quite a few large format theatres show 35mm prints on their huge screens, with varying degrees of success. Few achieve the optimum screen luminance. AFAIK, Warner Bros. wants to have the quality and brightness only attainable with a large format print on a huge screen.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 04-25-2003, 11:10 AM:
 
"Scorpion King" on the Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX screen in 35mm (a "drive-in" print?) was less than spectacular. Oh yeah, it was big, but it was also very very grainy and not bright enough. The sound was great though.
 

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Posted by Chris Tyson (Member # 992) on 04-25-2003, 11:27 AM:
 
Adam, was your theater always new or have you upgraded? And if you upgraded, what all had to be replaced? We'd basically have to buy a whole new system except for amps and speakers, lol. We still have the DDP and Dubber (which most of our films are ran with due to trailers). Just wondering if IMAX gave you any kind of deal on a new upgrade or not?

David, we showed the Scorpion King here also. And it also didn't look very good either. Some prints we get look great and others just look like... well you know.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-25-2003, 01:20 PM:
 
This theater opened in July 1999 with a GT, 2 MK-IIs and DTAC. One of the MK-IIs was changed out for a QTRU for Fantasia later that year and has seen all of the upgrades since then. Imax owns this theater, so we get a great deal on equipment and parts. (Not really, but you'd think we would, huh?)
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 04-25-2003, 01:54 PM:
 
It wouldn't cost the theatre so much Adam if you'd stop ordering TWO of everything so that you can assemble your home screening room.
 

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Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 04-25-2003, 03:07 PM:
 
I waited a while to see if anyone else would post this opinion, but...

I really wish IMAX theatres would be used more to show IMAX material. I think more IMAX films should be made the way earlier ones were -- by shooting in 15-perf 65mm to create something that looks great on these screens (by being composed for the IMAX aspect ratio and having a large enough image area on the original film).

I'm really sick of seeing 35mm films converted to IMAX. I remember wanting to see an IMAX movie at the Regal Opry Mills 20 in Nashville on one occasion and all that was playing were 35mm movies (either 35mm prints being projected or IMAX blowups). I just walked away.

I do not care to see a "TV version" of a scope movie like the Matrix blown up to an IMAX screen. If the movie is composed for the 2.39:1 ratio and shot on 35mm, then that's the way it should be shown, on a proper screen to get the proper brightness.

Give us more real IMAX films! Does anyone else here share my opinion?
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-25-2003, 03:52 PM:
 
I definitely favor using 70mm prints to fill huge screens. I also hope the original composition will be respected and maintained for all venues:

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/pytlak/spring2001.shtml

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/pytlak/dec98.shtml

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/pytlak/march99.shtml

IMHO, 5-perf 70mm needs to be revived for filling large screens. But if IMAX wants to use 15-perf 70mm, that's great too.
 

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 04-25-2003, 04:40 PM:
 
Evans,

I do share your opinion to a certain extent but I feel that the newer IMAX theatres are in business to make money. The original films were made for theatres that were part of a museum or theme porks that were suited for those films. I have seen the IMAX theatre in Wakiki when it was still operated by Destination Cinema and Consolidated play to a almost empty house when the original educational IMAX films were shown. Now that the Waikiki IMAX is showing commercial films in large format in addition to a few selected standard IMAX films, they are doing much better. Consolidated is even considering installing regular 35mm equipment to show commercial films in the IMAX theatre but why they would do that after they closed all three standard Waikiki theatres including my beloved Twins, is something I will never be sable to figure out.

-Claude
 

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Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 04-25-2003, 05:15 PM:
 
curious, but most of the public does not seem to care about the quality of the image they just "want it really big", as for the quality thing, i think most corporations and the like are successfully conditioning the public into believing that the poor image they see is what it is supposed to look like. like an anti-quaility quality, maybe it is a corporate conspiracy brought on by distribution to sell digital?
 

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Posted by Chris Tyson (Member # 992) on 04-26-2003, 09:29 AM:
 
I wish IMAX would make better quality 2D films for the audience to have FUN. Not all of us are located in a museum. Most of the stuff they make you can stay home and watch on the History Channel. I like to learn about things but, sometimes I like to get out of the house and watch something cool and exciting too.

It took us about 6 years to get our management to buy a 35mm system for the IMAX. It payed for itself within the first 2 months I believe. We really needed that to break even at the end of the year. Plus our image is really good, sure it's bigger and little things stand out more. That's why I'm here at this site trying to improve that perticular image all the time. I've seen worse at regular movie houseson a small screen. We strive to make the best presentaion possible and the public knows that. That's why alot of people wait to see there favorite film shown on our IMAX screen if we don't get it first run. Or they come back to see it here just because it is a little different than your usual house.

The main reason why IMAX theaters play 35mm movies is because it draws people in and that means $$$$$$ That's why IMAX is doing what it is now.

John, we wanted to get a 5perf 70mm in our IMAX but there are a limited amount of films out there. They shot us down when we suggested a 35-70mm coversion sytem. ?????
 

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Posted by William Leland III (Member # 1400) on 04-28-2003, 02:11 PM:
 
Chris, we have thought of getting a 35mm projector also to increase attendeance.

What type of projector do you run?

Any draw backs to showing 35mm prints on the screen, beside the image not filling up the screen.

What type of sound eqiument do you run?

thanks, Will
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-28-2003, 03:07 PM:
 

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Any draw backs to showing 35mm prints on the screen, beside the image not filling up the screen.

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