Are you eager to watch the first cinematic ‘Bullet time’ on the huge canvas? Well, now it’s your best chance. IMAX announced that:  “For the first time ever, fans can experience ‘The Matrix’ (1999) in IMAX”. Should you go?

An introduction to the new Matrix

“With excitement building around The Matrix Resurrections, this is the perfect time to experience the film that started it all in a way it’s never been seen before,” said Megan Colligan, President of IMAX Entertainment in a statement. “The Matrix forever changed the visual language of epic filmmaking and we’re very excited for fans everywhere to be able to enjoy this groundbreaking film for the first time in IMAX” he stated. “The Matrix kicked off a truly singular film franchise that has continued to entertain audiences and influence the industry since 1999,” added Jeff Goldstein, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution. “We’re thrilled to partner with IMAX on another first for the fans who’ve waited more than 20 years to see The Matrix in this format, and for moviegoers who will discover this incredible ongoing story for the first time, just in time for The Matrix Resurrections to hit theaters for the holidays.” Thus, for the first time, fans can experience ‘The Matrix’ (1999) on the huge canvas. As a reminder, explore the Lobby Shootout from the film: 

Shot by Bill Pope on the Panavision Platinum and Primo Prime lenses

Cinematographer Bill Pope shot ‘The Matrix’ on the Panavision Platinum cameras paired with Primo Prime glass. The format was Super 35 2.35:1 aspect ratio, utilizing Kodak’s Vision 500T 5279 and 200T 5274 stocks. “We shot all of the day exteriors and effects shots on 5274 and used 5279 for all the interiors. I like the look of 79, and I like to see a little grain. I shot in Super 35 partially because I had too many cameras to come up with enough anamorphic lenses, and also because of the sheer size of the sets. I felt that I might have had a little trouble lighting the sets to get the stop we’d need for anamorphic. Regardless, I do like Super 35; I also shot Fire in the Sky in that format” said Pope to ASC Magazine.

‘The Matrix’ invented the ‘Bullet time’

The term “Bullet time” was first used with reference to ‘The Matrix’, which has set the foundation for this special type of effect. Bullet time (also known as frozen moment, dead time, flow motion, or time slice) is a visual effect or visual impression of detaching the time and space of a camera (or viewer) from those of its visible subject. In ‘The Matrix’ it wasn’t possible to implement that effect with conventional slow motion, as the Panavision Platinum camera doesn’t have enough FPS (maximum of 40 FPS). Thus, a large group of still cameras was used, plus the motion picture cameras. To keep the action going, the “Bullet time” team didn’t actually fire their 120 cameras simultaneously (like others do), but fractions of a second after each other, creating super slow-motion instead. Hence, the film was pioneering this technique, which is being utilized by many directors ever since. Check out the video below which demonstrates the technique employed in ‘The Matrix”:

Final thoughts

With an IMDB rating of 8.7 that is based on 1.8M opinions, ‘The Matrix’ is one of the most important intelligent action films ever made. IMAX did a smart move by offering the privilege of watching it in an IMAX theater. Should you watch it? Well, it is up to you. If you haven’t watched ‘the Matrix’ before, now you have a solid excuse to go for it, and maybe this is the best chance to watch it properly. Tickets are on sale now for a two-night run of exclusive preview screenings on December 7 and December 8, in selected IMAX theatres. Will you go?