Star Wars: The Force Awakens – IMAX Presentation Details

By Vahn

There are four months until “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” hits theaters and IMAX. Yes, I said it; the film will be released in the world’s most immersive movie experience. For me, being a film student and a film addict, and for majority of hard-core moviegoers, seeing the film at its first showing in IMAX is a no-brainer. I see every film I can in the IMAX Experience; weather it’s converted or shot with IMAX cameras. JJ Abrams, Director of “The Force Awakens” has shot a huge action scene with the 70MM IMAX camera; the scene is most likely the escape from Jakku, hence an IMAX camera was seen during the Abu-Dhabi shoot. I can confirm that it is that scene because last November when the first teaser was released in IMAX theaters, I saw a 70MM IMAX film presentation where the first shot of the Millennium Falcon had the entire eight story tall IMAX screen filled from top to bottom. Let me tell you when a film is shot in the native IMAX format, no other presentation will ever compare to it’s crystal clear image and jaw dropping Full Screen imagery.

I was invited by my local IMAX theatre to help install “The Force Awakens” in the IMAX projector a week upon release and I was given the complete specs of the presentation. Here are the details for what one can expect from the “true’ IMAX experience of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

The theaters that house a “true” eight story tall IMAX screen will present the film in actual 70MM film reel; presenting the 70MM shot scenes in its full screen glory.

There will be two 70MM prints running through the IMAX projector to have the film play in IMAX 3D; rest assured it’s not the gimmick post converted 3D. It’s what IMAX was founded on, showcasing the best and most immersive 3D ever.

The 70MM IMAX presentation will not play at the “gimmick” shrunk IMAX theaters. Those will showcase the standard Digital IMAX converted format.

Look below for the comparisons between standard widescreen shot to a 70MM IMAX frame.

So there you have it. A complete lowdown of what to expect this December when “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” hits IMAX theaters worldwide. I know I will be there at the first showing! Also here is a small tidbit of information I have heard about ticket presales from multiple theaters. Expect “The Force Awakens” ticket presale around late September to mid October. I have had two theater managers relay that information to me. The release information is coming in hot! The “Force” is approaching quickly.

Update: Here is a handy bit of info for finding true IMAX theaters rather than the tiny ones that IMAX certified or whatever: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=zLxBmgs3Es0I.kOIvw74Mhrcc