Batman vs. Superman in 15/70 IMAX 70mm |
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| Written and photographed by: Andrew Kotwicki, USA | Date: 06.04.2016 |
 "Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
represents" the latest major franchise film to receive a limited
15/70 IMAX 70mm film release throughout the country. Approximately
twenty minutes of 15/70
IMAX sequences were shot for
"Batman v.
Superman" totalling a number of four sequences including the entire
opening credits introduction, a bizarre dream sequence had by Bruce
Wayne, the titular epic battle between the two superheroes and the
closing finale. The amount of prints circulating the globe are extremely
limited, down to eleven this time around although
rumor has it a
standard 70mm release version in the fixed aspect ratio of 2.20:1 will
follow also. The closest theater to this 70mm fanatic was at the Grand
Rapids, Michigan cinema chain, the Celebration! Cinema. |
More in 70mm reading: March Madness: "Batman v. Superman" - is there a joker in the deck? Chicago's Music Box Theater's 70mm Film Festival "Interstellar" Goes IMAX 70MM and 5/70 MM “Interstellar” at the BFI IMAX in London A review of "The Dark Knight" in IMAX The Birth of IMAX Internet link: |
 Entering the multiplex I was greeted by a dome tower in the main lobby
followed by two ticket booths on both sides of the theater, multicolored
neon light palm tree lights hanging from high above. The blue and red
neon lit hallways had the colorful feel of, say, an Argento film and as
I made my way towards the
IMAX auditorium containing the 70mm print I
happened upon a neon IMAX sign, furthering my excitement for what
awaited inside. Arguably for a full IMAX theater, the auditorium was
about the same size as Detroit's own Henry Ford IMAX theater and a
fraction of the size of the Indiana State Museum. No matter because once
the film began I was entranced by the grainy 35mm and 65mm footage
playing onscreen. As expected, the digital sound was very strong with
heavy directional use and the score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL comes
through loud and clear. The real attraction to seeing the film in 70mm
is the unparalleled crisp clarity of the IMAX specific sequences and
Snyder's first foray into 65mm filmmaking is a welcome one. |
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 Format
comparison. Click to see the IMAX version Much of the film has the feel of being projected onto a thick carpet with Snyder's trademark heavy grains and desaturated colors, a technique which has worn on some fans but honestly looked unlike anything I had seen in 70mm before. The IMAX sequences themselves maintained Snyder's grainy aesthetic but were significantly sharper and brighter than the rest of the movie and the opening and closing sequences were stunning to behold. The biggest reason fans should go out of their way to see this is for the titular fight between Batman and Superman, which was shot and exhibited entirely in 70mm. The first time the screen shifted to the full IMAX ratio for the fight was an aerial shot of Batman looking up at the camera with his enhanced bright blue eyes and like everyone else in the sold out screening I sat up in my seat for the forthcoming fight. Brightness and contrast were perfect and despite criticisms of the film's dark light and color levels, in 70mm you saw every nuance, every fine grain and every image shot in low light. |
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 The Celebration! Cinema is a splendid little theater chain in the Grand
Rapids area and one of the only multiplex theaters I've been to with a
true 15/70 70mm IMAX projection system. While the auditorium was smaller
than others I've attended in the past, I was not disappointed with the
presentation at hand. Digital might be the standard form of film exhibition
as of current but those who are fans of "Batman vs Superman"
are inclined to go an extra mile to see their favorite superheroes as
they've never seen them before. Furthermore, Zack Snyder fans are in for
a real treat as despite his prior films receiving 70mm blow-up prints
for IMAX theaters, "Batman vs Superman" represents the first time the
divisive director worked with 65mm film stock, presenting astonishing
clarity, depth of field and tonal range not afforded to the director
previously. With the advent of IMAX laser on the horizon, 70mm film is
still the truest way to go as it is as close to Zack Snyder's
controversial and polarizing vision as possible. |
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