June
2 , 2003
Press
Release
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The
Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience
Opening at Selected IMAX(R) Theatres
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LOS ANGELES, June
2 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of fans have already seen The Matrix
Reloaded, and soon audiences will have the chance to experience
a new version of the blockbuster second chapter of the Wachowski
Brothers' mind-bending film trilogy. The Matrix Reloaded: The
IMAX Experience will debut in IMAX(R) theatres this June, offering
Matrix fans a whole new way to "reload" in IMAX and experience
one of the biggest films of the year on screens up to eight stories
tall and surrounded by 12,000 watts of pure digital surround sound.
The Matrix Reloaded from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow
Pictures and producer Joel Silver has been 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.
"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. "Whether they are seeing The Matrix
Reloaded again or for the first time, the IMAX Experience of The
Matrix Reloaded will add a new dimension to the film's groundbreaking
visual action, and advances the Wachowski Brothers' vision
for telling the trilogy's story in multiple formats."
"The Matrix
Reloaded has made box office history and our tremendous fan response
continues to build momentum," said Dan Fellman, President
of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We're looking
forward to the IMAX release, which will enable audiences to appreciate
this larger-than-life film in a new and exciting format."
Watch for The
Matrix Revolutions, the final chapter in the Wachowski Brothers'
trilogy, to launch November 5, 2003 in 35mm theatres, and The Matrix
Revolutions: The IMAX Experience to launch simultaneously in IMAX
Theatres. This will mark the first time ever that a Hollywood live-action
event film is released concurrently in 35mm and IMAX's 15/70 format.
About IMAX(R)
DMR(TM) Technology
IMAX has redefined the movie-going experience through IMAX DMR, a
revolutionary technology that allows live-action films to be transformed
into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.
IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) starts by converting a 35mm frame
into digital form at a very high resolution, capturing all the detail
from the original. The proprietary software mathematically analyzes
and extracts the important image elements in each frame from the original
grainy structure to create a pristine form of the original photography.
This is the most complex step in IMAX DMR. The image on a 35mm film
frame is comprised of a fine grain structure like that of all photographic
images. This grain, when projected onto the IMAX screen, looks like
a TV channel that isn't quite tuned to the station. Removing this
grain while preserving the quality of the underlying image is the
basis of IMAX DMR.
To create the brightness and clarity that audiences have come to expect
from The IMAX Experience, IMAX uses a proprietary computer program
to make the images sharper than they were originally, while colors
are adjusted for the unique and technically superior characteristics
of the IMAX screen. The completed re-mastered film is then transferred
onto the world's largest film format, 15-perforations 70mm. Sonically,
IMAX has always delivered incredible six-channel multi-speaker sound
that helps put audiences in the picture. IMAX replicates this immersive
experience for IMAX DMR by recreating the film's original soundtrack,
adding another dimension to upgrade it to IMAX standards. The 15/70
film format used by IMAX is ten times larger than a conventional 35mm
film. Due to the size of the 15/70 film, the film reel weighs in at
a staggering 500 pounds, compared to a typical 50 pound 35mm reel.
The sheer size of the 15/70 film frame, combined with the unique IMAX
projection technology and IMAX's state of the art sound system, is
the key to the film's extraordinary sharpness and clarity, resulting
in a completely immersive experience.
About Warner
Bros. / The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures,
a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by
Village Roadshow Pictures.
About IMAX
Corporation
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment
technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery
of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX
and IMAX(R) 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality
digital production and presentation. IMAX theatres feature the highest
quality film presentations on screens that are up to eight stories
high and 120 feet wide surrounded by 12,000 watts of pure digital
sound to create The IMAX Experience. In 2002, IMAX introduced its
revolutionary, proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology,
making it possible for virtually any 35mm live-action film to be transformed
into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.
The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary
and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of March 31 2003,
there were more than 230 IMAX theatres operating in 34 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R)
3D, IMAX(R)DMR(TM) and The IMAX Experience(R) are
trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can
be found
at http://www.imax.com.