Did you know that not all IMAX screens are the same size? I had no idea. It seems that in order to expand its market, the company has installed smaller screens in some theaters. Actor/comedian Aziz Ansari (Observe and Report) didn’t like that his local theater has what’s now dubbed LIEMAX by some.
Wired talked to the CEO of IMAX and found that it’s true, not all IMAX screens are the same size. Traditionally, an IMAX screen was around 72-feet, but the company compromised in order to install more systems in more markets. According to the CEO though, it’s not just the screen that makes an IMAX special.
These IMAX-lite theaters were apparently modified to further the IMAX experience. The projectors were upgraded, the audio systems enhanced, and the seats moved around so viewers would perceive a bigger screen. At least that’s what the CEO is saying.
View IMAX or LIEMAX? in a larger map
Still, I don’t know if I would pay the added cost to go see a movie in one of these theaters. If I’m going to see an IMAX movie, I want an effn gigantic screen. Use this Google Maps guide to see if your local IMAX is a LIEMAX.
You seriously didn’t know that?
The science museum here has an Imax screen which is about 4 stories tall. But there is an Imax theater in San Antonia that has a 7 story tall screen.
Saw True Lies on that big one in san antonia way back in the day, that was awesome.
-1 for spelling, yeah
=P
I emailed you guys about this around 2 weeks ago. Haha.
People keep calling them “liemax” but have you gone to one of those? The difference is night and day when it comes to comparing them to a regular screen. The sound system is WAY better and the screen is awesome. I prefer it to the neck straining “real imax” theaters. I think that the people complaining about this are the people who can’t really notice improved video/audio quality…except..”the screen is bigger!”
aziz stick to acting not size of imax screens.the ceodid not lie nobody asked thequestion about size.no one asked.no one begged you topay extra to see IMAX.
I live in MD. The only large screen IMAX we have is at the MD Science Center. For whatever reason, the geniuses over there refuse to show most mainstream movies like Star Trek or Night at the Museum. The next closest large screen IMAXes are at the Air and Space Museums in DC and Chantilly, VA.
I was shopping at Columbia Mall and saw an IMAX sign. I was SO excited that i wouldn’t have to drive to Northern VA to see a movie in IMAX form.
I started looking around the Net about that theater. That’s when i found out that it’s Fake-Azz IMAX. Small screen with all of this upgraded technology. That’s not what i’m interested in..i want the GIGANTIC screen ! THAT’S REAL IMAX !!
I’m SO glad i checked on the information before i went to the movie expecting the real IMAX but finding the fake one ! The staff at that theater is glad too; they just don’t know it. I would’ve pitched the boogie-woogie if i’d paid IMAX money for some fake-azz, so-called IMAX-small-screened ish.
The IMAX people ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing us the way they have, and frankly, i’m not interested in giving my money to a company who has so much disresepct for its customers.
BTW..if you get to the theater early, the real IMAX experience isn’t neck-straining. Just sit in the furthest row back that you can. Problem solved. I’m guessing you work for IMAX and are trying to make it seem like what they are doing is ok..