Deeper blacks, brighter whites, even bigger screens and better sound. When the high-speed action sequel Furious 7 debuts this weekend, audiences at Hollywood's famous TCL Chinese Theatre will see every tyre skid and fistfight in Imax's brand-new laser projection format.
Lasers are supposed to be able to heighten contrast. In laser-projected trailer footage of Furious 7, details were noticeably crisper than images shown in a standard-sized auditorium with a regular digital projector. Deep blacks, one of the touted benefits of laser projection, stood out boldly, particularly in actress Michelle Rodriguez's eyes and hair, a suit worn by actor Jason Statham, Vin Diesel's tank top, black car paint and shadows in the grooves of tyre treads.
Imax's first laser projector started operating in Toronto's Scotiabank Theatre in December. The Chinese Theatre, one of the largest Imax theatres in the world, is one of more than a dozen locations that Imax expects to outfit with laser projection this year.
Others include the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 in Manhattan and Empire Cinemas' Leicester Square in London. Tickets for laser-illuminated shows will be the same price as those shown in Imax's standard format.
Laser projection is more than contrast, though. The technology will allow more movies to be screened in giant theatres, says Imax Corp CEO Rich Gelfond.
Until now, digital projectors haven't been able to use all the real estate of the largest screens because industry-standard xenon bulbs weren't bright enough. And the high cost of Imax film prints, which show more brightly than digital files, meant that only about eight big-budget blockbusters a year could be shown on giant screens.