Christopher Nolan has spent nearly two decades pushing IMAX technology to new heights. The journey began with the legendary opening bank-heist sequence in “The Dark Knight” and culminates with “The Odyssey,” the first major feature filmed entirely with IMAX cameras.
“It was a massive challenge,” Nolan said.
One of the biggest obstacles was sound.
Traditional IMAX cameras are enormous, complex machines that sound like the world’s loudest lawn mower, making them difficult to use for dialogue-heavy scenes. Over the years, engineers have created “blimps,” i.e., sound-dampening housings that surround the cameras to muffle their noise. Nolan and his collaborators also developed new recording and post-production techniques that allowed the cameras to move closer to actors.
The cameras’ size created other challenges. Nolan said he and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema were determined not to sacrifice visual fluidity. “We didn’t want to make a stiff film,” he said. “We wouldn’t want it to be like the days when silent film turned into sound and suddenly the camera just [didn’t] move.”
The filmmakers also devised new techniques, including a mirror system that allowed actors to maintain eye contact during close-up scenes while accommodating the large-format cameras.
It’s a reminder that more than 130 years into the history of filmmaking, there are still new frontiers. For Nolan, “The Odyssey” represents the highest peak yet of that continuous climb.
Here are the Chicago-area movie theaters showing “The Odyssey” in enhanced formats:
IMAX 70mm film
Cinemark Seven Bridges and IMAX in Woodridge
One of a few dozen theaters in the world capable of screening movies in the rare 70mm IMAX format. This is the platinum standard, combining massive, multi-story screens with physical 70mm film to give you incredible clarity and immersion.
70mm film
The Music Box is screening “The Odyssey” in traditional 70mm — the classic, large-format film experience with a rich and textured cinematic look.
IMAX with laser
AMC River East 21 and Regal City North
These theaters offer digital IMAX presentations with laser projection, rendering deep contrast, striking images and thundering audio.
Premium Large Format (PLF) screens
Alamo Drafthouse “The Big Show” and Dolby Cinema auditoriums at AMC locations.
Extra-large screens, superior projection and surround sound.
Richard Roeper is the Sun-Times’ former movie critic and a current contributor.