A woman who traveled five hours from Newcastle to London to see Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in 70mm IMAX has shared her honest review, comparing the experience to a standard 35mm screening. Cerys, a content creator and film enthusiast, attended both formats and provided a detailed breakdown of how the screen size and film type affected her perception of the movie.
Opening Weekend Box Office Success
On its opening weekend, The Odyssey stormed the global box office with $264 million. The film, based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, follows three intertwining stories: Odysseus's 10-year struggle to sail home from the Trojan War, his son Telemachus's quest to find him, and their father-son revenge plot to reclaim their family home. The cast includes Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Travis Scott, and Anne Hathaway.
70mm IMAX vs. 35mm: A Personal Journey
Cerys saw the film first at BFI IMAX in London on a 70mm IMAX screen, then later at Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle on a 35mm format. She noted that the major difference was how the loss of screen size changed her interpretation of the story. "The first time I saw it was 70mm and I found myself more focused on the spectacle of it all, which was undoubtedly astonishing, but seeing it in a smaller format allowed me to focus more on the story which I found enriched my understanding further," she said.
Nuances Missed on the Big Screen
According to Cerys, there were many nuances she missed during the 70mm screening because she was overwhelmed by the scale. In contrast, the 35mm screening allowed her to concentrate on the plot, dialogue, and characters. "I left both experiences feeling deeply fulfilled just in slightly different ways," she added.
Color and Aesthetic Differences
Cerys also observed differences in colors and aesthetics. "Both looked absolutely gorgeous but I think the grainier, all-timely look of 35mm really enhanced the timelessness of this story and solidified the fact that this film will stand the test of time," she explained. She found the 70mm IMAX brighter, which added to the spectacle, while the 35mm format gave a more timeless feel.
Limited 70mm IMAX Screenings in the UK
In the UK, only three cinemas can show The Odyssey in 70mm IMAX: two in London and one at Manchester Printworks. Film fans from across the country have traveled to these venues to see the film as intended. Cerys traveled five hours from Newcastle to BFI IMAX in London for the experience.
Final Verdict: Worth Seeing in Any Format
Cerys concluded that while the 70mm IMAX experience is phenomenal and recommended, other formats are also great options. "It really is great seeing it how it was meant to be seen, but I know it's quite difficult and if you can't I hope this video has highlighted the fact that other options are pretty great too," she said.
