IMAX has announced its version of the acclaimed Barbie movie, starting September 22 for one week only, the audience can experience the IMAX version of Barbie. Expect an impressive result, since the film was shot on the best IMAX-certified camera, which is the ARRI ALEXA 65, that was paired with the mighty Panavision System and Sphero 65 glass.

IMAXing Barbie

As stated by IMAX: “Experience Barbie in the most satisfying way possible: in IMAX. Starting September 22 for one week only, join us for bonus footage, and the sound and scale only IMAX can deliver”. “The worldwide enthusiasm for Barbie has been overwhelming, humbling, and deeply moving,” Director Greta Gerwig said in a statement. “So many Barbie fans went on this journey with us, and we can’t thank them enough for supporting the film and sharing their Barbie experience in theaters, across social media, and out in the world”. “We made Barbie for the big screen, so it’s a thrill to be able to bring it to IMAX, the biggest screen of all,” Gerwig added and said there will be dedicated IMAX footage at the end: ”And as a special thanks to Barbie fans, we’re excited to share a little bit more of our cast and crew’s incredible work by adding special new footage we hope audiences will enjoy.”

Shot on ARRI ALEXA 65

Barbie was shot on the mighty ARRI ALEXA 65, which is armed with the largest digital sensor available that is equivalent to a 65mmm film frame. The ARRI 65 has image capture of 5-perf 65 mm (54.12 mm x 25.58 mm active image area), and the sensor resolution is 6560 x 3100 (Open Gate – maximum recordable). Barbie’s Director of Photography is Rodrigo Prieto, who has created a unique color palette for the film that Greta Gerwig named “Techni-Barbie,” after the Technicolor format. We all remember Prieto for his outstanding work on The Irishman. He is also known for his innovative cinematography techniques. For instance, in The Irishman Prieto utilized an unconventional setup of RED Helium surrounded by two ARRI Minis. As explained, for Barbie Prieto chose the best IMAX-certified camera (as part of the Filmed for IMAX program), which is the ARRI ALEXA 65. However, IMAX theaters were taken by Nolan’s Oppenheimer which was shot a true IMAX film cameras.

Lesnes used: Panavision Sphero and System 65

For shooting Barbie, Prieto utilized the Panavision Sphero and System 65 lenses. These lenses were designed for 65mm film format. The Sphero 65 offers distinct attributes that separate them from more clinical large-format lenses, and the System 65 delivers a “classic” look to modern large-format cameras. System 65 optics render a warm, contouring image with pleasing flesh tones. With organic focus roll-off and rounded bokeh, System 65 lenses offer high resolution without compromising artistic qualities. They are both compatible with film and digital cameras. Hence, expect beautifully rendered huge-screen imagery. 

An ‘IMAX-worthy’

Barbie is a movie that would definitely look good on the huge canvas. Using a top-of-the-line camera that an IMAX holds up easily. That is compared to the very talked-about The Creator which was shot on Sony FX3 that isn’t even an IMAX-certified camera. Thus, if IMAX can take the FX3, it can surely accept the ARRI 65 high-end image quality. So for those who haven’t seen Barbie — that would be your best chance. Go see it on IMAX.