Formatting Godzilla

There is a plethora of special film formats available at Los Angeles theatres, but how many of us take advantage of them? Most likely, we just look for a screening at a convenient time and location. Well, with Godzilla, King of the Monsters now stomping across theatre screens, I figured this would be a great opportunity to sample them all! That’s right: I plan to watch the movie in every available format and report back on which is the best way to experience the lizard king: IMAX, 3D, ScreenX – you name it.

Now, in order to whittle the options down to a manageable number, I will not be sampling different brand names of the same basic format; that is, I wont’ be sitting in every motion-simulator seat (which include DBox, MX4D, 4DX). I will also avoid different versions of the same basic presentation (IMAX 2D and IMAX Laser, Real 3D and Digital 3D). Nor will I be exploring pseudo-formats that are really just marketing fluff (Pacific Theatres’ “XD,” which consists of “large screens, immersive audio, and luxury seating – which sounds nice but isn’t really a format).

I may, however, see the film in the Cinerama Dome – just because it’s the Cinerama frickin’ dome, what more reason do you need? The Arc Light Hollywood’s other theatres are screening Godzilla, King of the Monsters in 3D, but the Dome is not. Nevertheless, with its huge curved screen and excellent sound system, the Dome is the best place to see a move in Hollywood.

Brief preview: the film is an enjoyably over-the-top fanboy’s wet dream, and the MX4D presentation at the TCL Chinese Theatre rocks!