I went to go see Star Trek again last Thursday, even after seeing a special screening with the rest of The Morning Mash Up. As I entered the theater and sat high up the stadium seating I noticed that the screen didn’t quite look as big as the normal IMAX screen I’m used to. I was so excited to see Star Trek again that I really didn’t think much of it, until now. Aziz Ansari, who plays Tom Haverford on the new show Parks and Recreation (Thursdays at 8:30pm on NBC), blogged about his Star Trek “IMAX” experience and went off on both the AMC and Regal Theater chain, as well as the IMAX Corporation. The usual IMAX screen, at least in the experiences Aziz and I had, is over 7o feet tall. When I went to go see Star Trek at New York City’s AMC Times Square location the screen was not much larger than your standard theater. Mind you that I paid the normal price for an IMAX movie, which is $5 more than a standard ticket. Here is a diagram, so you have an idea of the size difference:
Clearly, you can see that the regular standard IMAX screen that has been in theaters for years is WAY BIGGER than the screen I saw Star Trek in last week. In addition, here is how AMC sell’s the IMAX experience on their website:
If by “towering screens” they mean the screen’s we have come accustomed to watching movies on for the past 10-15 years then they are spot on. Otherwise, they are full of it. If you go to IMAX’s website they also claim to have this towering experience. Claiming:
“IMAX screens are designed and positioned to maximize each audience memeber’s field of view, putting you IN the movie. In most IMAX theaters, these screens span from wall-to-wall and floor to ceiling…”
What it comes down to is that IMAX is selling the use of it’s name and what they claim are superior digital screens and audio to charge you extra money, and not give you the big screen we all know and love. CLICK HERE for the entire story on how they decided to sell the name IMAX and not the experience we’re accustomed to having. Did any one of you get cheated by the “fake IMAX experience?” Let us know how you handled it and what exactly you did! Be honest with us, am I just over reacting to what happened or are we really being lied to and cheated out of money for IMAX Lite? Chime in below and pass this story on to everyone else as well!
UPDATE: Here are some other friends that have posted on the subject:
- The Consumorist
- Ain’t It Cool News
- Walletpop.com
- Gizmodo.com
- MTV Movies Blog
- FirstShowing.net
- Cinematical.com
- Big Movie Zone
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No, you’re not crazy at all! I felt the same way when I saw Star Trek last week at 42nd St. I was very upset that I’d paid an extra $5 on top of the already bloated ticket price to see it there in Imax. Not to mention the fact that it took them forever to turn the sound up. When I went to see Star Trek again a few days later at Lincoln Sq I was not disappointed. AMC/Regal and IMAX are ripping people off! I hope the word gets out and people stop buying Imax tickets for their midget screens (no offense to little people).
WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH IMAX THESE DAYS?I MEAN
I SAW MONSTERS VS ALIENS ON A GIANT IMAX SCREEN IN 3D.
THE SCREEN IS ABOUT 5 STORIES HIGH WITCH WAS COOL TAKE THAT STUPED FAKE IMAX!!!!!!!!!well at least I have a
regal cinemas that has a real IMAX screen at the gulf coast town center in fort myers,FL:).that is why I do not go to amc theaters
that has an IMAX.why,BEACAUSE IT IS FAKE!on december 26th,
I am going to see james camron’s AVATAR.I am going to see it in
IMAX 3D in regal you know the one that is better than amc IMAX.amc theaters suck.aziz ansari you were right.amc again sucks.you were funny on that MTV spoof of star trek at the 2009
MTV MOVIE AWARDS.lol.
hey,so I made that comment erliar that amc cinemas suck
beacause of their smaller IMAX screens.so all I have to say is
I’M SORRY.ok I just made that comment beacause I am cranky
sometimes.and sorry that amc cinemas IMAX is bullsh*t.and
your expensive prices.please forgive me.then we will be happy:).
hey guys,remember what I said about I am going to see james
camron’s avatar?well all I just want to say is that I LOVE IT.IT WAS AWSOME.I saw it in IMAX 3D.and I saw alice in wonderland
in 3D and it was also awsome.the next movie I am going to see
the diary of a wimpy kid movie.WOO-HOO!if you guys who are
users here at the morning mash up don’t know what that is
heres what is about:it’s about this kid named greg heffly who hates middle school and thinks it’s the worst idea ever made
and has parents who makes greg look like a wimp.and has a brother named rodrick who gives him unhelpful advice like
not to sit next to anyone at lunch.and he has a annoying brother
named manny.and he has a best friend named rowley.and he
has a werid classmate named fregly.it was a #1 new york times
bestseller.