I don’t watch many IMAX films, but I heard that it is highly recommended that this film be seen in the IMAX format. There are two theaters in my state (Connecticut) that supposedly have IMAX screens. Then I saw this thread and the helpful YouTube video above explaining the difference between the different IMAX formats and quickly realized that the theater I was going to see it in was a retrofitted “LieMAX” screen. In fact, it was the lowest quality 2K IMAX Digital Xenon with a relatively small screen. But the IMAX name must be attracting people, since the theater is almost completely sold out until next week.
(Incidentally, I think IMAX is doing themselves and their customers a disservice by diluting their brand this way. It’s also really confusing.)
Once I realized that I had booked a ticket at a subpar “IMAX” theater, I got a refund on that showing and booked a ticket on the Cinemark XD screen at the same theater. This is 4K at least.
Then I saw that that there is an “IMAX with Laser” screen at another theater about the same distance away. This one is 4K and also has a better aspect ratio. So I switched to that for a showing next week.
The nearest 70mm IMAX screen from my house is more than an hour away in Providence, Rhode Island, and I’m not really willing to drive that far to see a 3-hour movie.
Anyway, I hope all this switching around is worth it!