If I close my eyes, I can recall the green exercise book in which I’d written my review for English homework of the greatest film I’d ever seen in the cinema. It was the summer of 1981 and the movie was Superman II. Of course, having just turned seven years old, my cinematic repertoire wasn’t extensive, but I think I can give my young self some credit for the enthusiasm – the movie still holds up.
Of course, Superman is one of the iconic characters in cinema, and after months of buzz and anticipation, James Gunn’s version, the fourth iteration of the Man of Steel on the big screen, has finally landed in theaters.
As per the recent Jurassic World movie, the aim from the director is to draw on inspiration from the first iteration, when Christopher Reeve brought his iconic version to life in the 1970s, with David Corenswet’s version a return to its comic book roots and a more hopeful version of the character, which arguably is exactly what audiences need right now and although inevitably there are naysayers, the first reviews seem to be positive.
As you’d expect for what could be the biggest film of the year, the movie is available in nearly every format possible so let’s run through them.
IMAX
As a larger-than-life character such as Superman, giant IMAX screens make for an obvious match. As James Gunn says in the IMAX BTS video, “Seeing Superman fly, you want as much frame as you possibly can.”
Captured digitally on a 6K Red Komodo, with a 4K digital intermediate, the movie is ‘Filmed for IMAX’. In this case, this means it has undergone the IMAX DMR process and will be in 1.90:1 in all IMAX screens for the whole duration of the movie.
Note that in all non-IMAX screens it is presented in pillar boxed 1.85:1. However, as the IMAX image is only 2.7% this pillar boxing will be barely noticeable on 1.85:1 screens – but will have larger pillar boxes on wider ‘scope’ 2.39:1 screens.
Interestingly, 3D has made a minor comeback with Superman, with stereoscopic fans having a choice of five variations to choose from and IMAX 3D is one of them.
3D always works best at scale and no one does that better than IMAX. In the UK, only the BFI IMAX and Manchester Printworks will be showing it in IMAX 3D, with not even the GT dual-laser IMAX screen in Leicester Square offering it, while in the USA, you can find it in IMAX 3D on AMC screens.
For 3D, you’ll want your IMAX theater to have a laser projector for a brighter image to make up for the light loss from the glasses. IMAX Laser screens are also paired with 12-channel audio, which adds a height layer, which is exactly what you want for a movie like Superman.
Dolby Cinema
Another great premium option is Dolby Cinema, which, thanks to its high brightness levels, offers extended dynamic range images, with Dolby Vision creating truly deep blacks and bright whites, along with a wide color gamut.
To my surprise, I also noticed that it is available, in limited showings, in Dolby Cinema 3D, and this will be another fine choice. I recently saw Jurassic World Rebirth in this format at the very lovely Cinema in the Power Station, in Battersea, London, and was blown away by the natural, eye-strain-free quality of the image.
While the brightness levels are inevitably a lot less for 3D, Dolby can still reach 48 nits, so that the image is still color-rich and pleasing. Dolby is also matched with Dolby Atmos audio, and its ability to place objects in a 3D space should be fantastic for the maelstrom of Kryptonian vs Kaiju and other assorted baddies.
HDR by Barco
In technical terms, HDR by Barco even outdoes Dolby, with even higher brightness and clever ‘Lightsteering’ tech enabling true cinematic HDR images, which, combined with Dolby Atmos, will be an amazing experience. While the format gained a boost this week with the news that it will be coming to 50 locations across Europe by the end of the year, as it stands, your options are limited to just a few locations, so it’s not a mainstream option yet.
Premium Large Format
Regular premium large format (PLF) is a good replacement. While there’s no HDR, you’ll get bright and sharp, laser-based 4K projection on a larger than standard screen, Dolby Atmos audio and comfy seats — popcorn-tastic!
Each cinema chain uses its own brand name for PLF, so in the USA, look out for Prime at AMC, Regal RPX, Cineplex UltraAVX, and Cinemark XD. In the UK, it’s Cineworld Superscreen, Odeon iSense, or OmniplexMAXX, with the first EPIC by Vue, in Nottingham, opening just too late for Superman. If you are a stereoscopic fan, I note that Regal is even offering a 3D option in RPX.
Emphasizing the global popularity of the character, Superman is even getting a release in China, with its homegrown premium Cinity format offering up a similar experience to Dolby Cinema.
4DX 3D
With Superman, you know that there is likely to be a large percentage of swirling, swooping flying action, and if you want to physically get a sense of it, then the bucking seats of 4DX are a tempting option. As kickers in the seat back convey every punch, you’ll also get blasts of air, flashing lights and smoke effects. With 3D also the default option, 4DX is the way to go if you’re looking for sensory overload.
Side-screen action
Other formats include ScreenX, which has footage that extends down screens at the sides of the auditorium, and in the USA, there is also ICE, which has panels down the side to match the content on the main screen. While the idea works for music, I find these mostly distracting for a movie, so it wouldn’t be something I’d recommend.
Standard Digital
The final option is a standard theatre, which will be offering Superman in 2D or RealD 3D. If you go for the latter, then, as ever, try and seek out a screen with laser projection, as conventional Xenon-lamp-based projectors with older bulbs can already lack brightness, which, when you combine with the light loss from the 3D glasses, will make for a lackluster image. And your standard, regular 2D digital theatre? Well, it has the advantage of being the most inexpensive option, and if that means you can afford to take the family to see Superman and Louis Lane, then it’s a very choice indeed.
Further reading
HDR By Barco Projection Technology To Underpin New ‘EPIC By Vue’ Branding
Barco HDR Cinema Tech To Reach 30 US Theatres By The End Of 2025
Regal Cineworld To Bring Barco Laser Projection To 4000 Screens By 2030