The Fall Guy, Universal’s hotly anticipated update of the classic 1980s TV series, is hitting the big screen today, and not surprisingly, the film has been chosen to take over IMAX Screens at AMC Theatres this weekend. In theory, it’s the exact type of big budget event film you’d expect to work perfectly in a premium format, but some recent conversations with several employees over at IMAX revealed they don’t really think of movies in those terms.
During our chat with Adam Edwards, who is the VP of Production DMR over at IMAX, he said he doesn’t believe certain movies are made for IMAX and certain movies are not. He believes every movie has the potential to be polished and improved, which was echoed by Bruce Markoe, the Head Of IMAX Post, who told us every movie that shows in IMAX is remastered specifically for IMAX with an eye toward what that movie specifically needs. They’re never just showing the standard digital file that was created for smaller screens, and they’re never solely focused on just making it bigger and louder.
Edwards really hammered that home during our conversation. For him, it’s not just about making action scenes look cooler and more chaotic. Sometimes it’s about getting the most out of an emotional moment. Here’s a portion of his quote…
It’s been interesting to think about ‘Oh, some films are made for IMAX and others are not.’ But I don’t believe that’s true. It’s not just about things exploding. You can have a really touching sentimental moment with a tight close up on an actor’s face.
That approach is uniquely important for a movie like The Fall Guy. Part of what critics and fans lucky enough to catch an early screening are raving about is how many different things the movie is able to do well. It’s not surprisingly filled with some of the best and coolest stunts you’ll see this year, but it also hits plenty of other emotions and tells a larger story that’s not just about things blowing up. It’s a fully developed movie in all the best ways, and IMAX is committed to making sure those feelings translate in the best way to maximize impact, whether they’re louder or softer.
Our conversations around formatting came as part of some larger talks with the premium format giant to discuss how they’re bringing their unique science to AMC Theatres. The brands have been working in partnership to make movies better, and you can watch more of our conversation below…
The Fall Guy opens across The United States on May 3rd. Grab your ticket and experience the science of IMAX yourself at your local AMC Theatre.
