Apollo 13 - T Minus 20 Minutes, literally!

**JediCole** · 09-21-2002

Well, well, well! Mrs. JediCole and I went to the Cinemark IMAX theatre today to see Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience. I was looking forward to this since we found out that one of our favorite films was being remastered for the GIANT screen of the IMAX theatre.

Well, when we got settled into our seats, a neighboring audience member got talking to us and revealed something we did not know. The film we were about to see was not only digitally remastered and reformatted for the 70mm IMAX print, it was EDITED FOR TIME!

Now bear in mind, I don't blame the folks at IMAX, given what I was told for the reasons behind the editing. It turns out that 120 minutes is the maxiumum running time for an IMAX film. Because the projector uses a single reel (not multiple reels like conventional, commercial movie theatres), a reel that is gigantic! Unfortunatly, it seems that the creators of these projectors never anticipated a time when traditional, big studio films of lenghts over 120 minutes (like Apollo 13 and the upcoming Star Wars Episode II) to be remastered for their screens. So as a result, there is no room on the reel for approximatly 20 minutes in the case of Apollo 13, and it appears, at least 23 minutes of Attack of the Clones come November!

I really posted this thread not so much to complain as to inform. Given the limitations of IMAX projectors, there is nothing to be done. I feel fortunate that someone happened to tell us that the film had been cut down by 20 minutes. If I had not known that ahead of time, I would have wondered what happend! I know Apollo 13 almost as intimatly as I do the Star Wars films. And I would have noticed at least the better part of what was cut, if not all of it! Knowing that things were going to be missing certainly made me mindful, but there were some scenes cut short that were painfully obvious if you are expecting to see something that is now gone.

In defense of those involved in bringing Apollo 13 to IMAX, the edits were, for the most part, well done. Not like the kind of thing you get when network television butchers a film for time, giving no thought to what they cut out, just that they cut out what they have no time to air. For the most part the film will not suffer much for those who have not seen it, or do not remember nearly every second of the original cut. However, if you do, you will find a few rather important aspects missing, at least from the standpoint of the big picture.

**2-1B** · 09-21-2002

Cole, can you actually see the reel at your IMAX ?
The one near me has the projector room surrounded by glass, so we can watch the film being respooled after the prior showing.
Very fun !

**Beast** · 09-21-2002

OAR and ORT or No Sale! That is a total raping of the movie, just so they can fit it into a 2-hour running time. Nice to see that the bottom line and a few greenbacks will make anyone ignore their artistic morals. I'm disapointed in Lucas as well, for letting his film be butchered for IMAX. And I thought his decision to release P&S versions of the Star Wars movies was bad. I'm equally disapointed in anyone that would pay good money to see a film hacked to bits.

MTFBWY and HH!!

Jar Jar Binks

**Exhaust Port** · 09-21-2002

What was the movie experience like? I just found out from a friend today of the upcoming AOTC in IMAX this November and I can't wait.

**mini-rock** · 09-22-2002

I couldn't agree with you more JJB. Not only are you paying for less picture, but also less running time.

**JediCole** · 09-22-2002

Originally posted by Exhaust Port
What was the movie experience like? I just found out from a friend today of the upcoming AOTC in IMAX this November and I can't wait.

Well, the movie experience was unlike any other. On a screen that size, minute details become almost obvious and the sound system is so elaborate that you hear the slightest background dialogue. In several shots of Mission Control, you could overhear someone in the background asking if anyone had a lighter and other little bits of casual conversation.

I too WAS looking forward to AOTC on the IMAX screen. That is until I found out that what already seemed trimmed for time would loose an additional 23 minutes minimum! I doubt I was the only person who felt that there were at least somewhat crucial scenes or segments that were lost in the final cut of AOTC. I had the profound sense that there were points in AOTC that were lacking something. And with the IMAX print, it will have all the chopped up flavor of Men in Black II.

**Exhaust Port** · 09-22-2002

Maybe they'll cut out all the romance junk and leave everything else. I don't need to see a 4 story tall awkward love scene. It'll be an once in a lifetime opportunity so I'll be there even with 23 minutes less movie.