Special Comments on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in IMAX® 3D

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Special Comments on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix IMAX® 3D (2007) [PG-13] 138 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Colorado Center 9 & IMAX, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 28 August 2007
Time: 3:45 pm

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Click to read the film's regular and full review.

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Harry Potter fans, as promised, I did see the Order of the Phoenix a second time, this time in IMAX® with the last 20 minutes in 3D to be able to make recommendations as to whether (a) the IMAX® presentation ratio for the film and (b) the 3D effects, made it worth seeing the film a second time. Honestly, I'd have to say "yes" a very big "yes". Not only was the entire film better in IMAX® affording the expansive views of the film much needed room, but the 3D ending was incredible and vastly superior to the non-3D version. Actually, once you see the 3D version it's easier to understand why the non-3D version looks the way it does—it was meant for 3D and it didn't translate as well in 2D. In seeing the film, in general, a second time, actually, I enjoyed the film a lot more. I was able to take the vantage point of my first viewing, and maybe, I was too hard on it. Well who wouldn't be, this is far into the franchise for fans not to have exceptional expectations. In any case, if you have the opportunity to see the film again in IMAX® 3D, do see it. This is how the film should be seen.

First, when you see a film on the IMAX® screen you are also getting the IMAX® theatre sound systems which are vastly superior to any other theaters. Second, the shear size of the screen usually gives the image room to envelope you. This was very true with this particular film as it is shot often from the perspective of being down the corridor from the action. Superior sound and image quality brought out so much more of the action of the story. When it came to the climax and the 3D effects, however, absolutely there's little comparison between the two. The IMAX® 3D version literally blows the other away. From the moment they arrive at the ministry and head down the dark corridors, you feel like you are really there inside with them. No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that the magic is far more magical, the feeling of really being there, inside the events was incredible. This was not a case of technology for technology's sake. It's too bad they didn't use the 3D effect for the entire film, though, because other parts such as the Weasley Bros. attack on the OWLs examination room would have been incredible as would Dumbledore's escape and the scenes of Professor Harry training his corps.

Generally speaking, the IMAX® 3D screenings cost a pretty penny more than a regular evening show let alone a matinee. In this case, however, this is a must-see for fans of the film and the series. This is the only way to see the ending as it was meant to be seen.