The Odyssey review: IMAX 70mm format reveals visual depth but faces supply constraints
A recent assessment of Christopher Nolan’s latest adaptation highlights the immersive advantages of 70mm projection, while industry data points to significant infrastructure barriers limiting audience access.
A review published by The Verge suggests that Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey delivers a markedly more impactful viewing experience when projected in IMAX, particularly in the 70mm format. The analysis indicates that the larger format provides superior visual detail and immersion, enhancing scenes featuring large-scale creatures such as the Cyclops Polyphemus and the sea monster Scylla. However, the scarcity of 70mm screenings, driven by projector shortages and high construction costs for 1.43:1 screens, restricts audience access to the director’s intended presentation.
The review details specific visual differences between standard 35mm projections, which utilise a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, and IMAX screenings. Standard IMAX uses a 1.90:1 ratio, while the 70mm format employs a taller 1.43:1 ratio. The reviewer noted that the taller IMAX image reveals subtle performance nuances, such as the Cyclops hunching to avoid cave ceilings, which are easily missed in widescreen formats. This increased visual information adds gravity to scenes involving the film’s gargantuan monsters, offering a clearer understanding of their stature and the physical performance of actor Bill Irwin.
There are approximately 40 theaters globally, including 25 in the US, capable of screening 70mm IMAX films. This limited availability means the vast majority of audiences will not see the movie in its most impressive form. The current shortage of 70mm screenings is attributed to IMAX’s inability to produce new projectors. IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond stated in an interview with Variety that the company has focused on retrofitting old projectors rather than producing new ones, and that exhibitors are reluctant to bear the construction costs for 1.43:1 screens.
The film, an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, is described as the first feature shot entirely with 70mm film IMAX cameras. While the reviewer initially suspected this claim was marketing hype, the viewing experience confirmed the format’s unique capabilities. Standard IMAX screenings are noted to be more expensive than standard movie tickets, prompting some criticism that the format contributes to a culture of obsessive purism.
The article suggests that the format’s scarcity may be used as a marketing tool, leveraging Nolan’s star power to drive box office success. Nolan is known for his advocacy of large-format film, having previously shot Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX. The strategy appears effective for The Odyssey, a highly anticipated project from one of the world’s most revered filmmakers, though the industry remains comfortable with the current limitations on widespread 70mm availability.
