Hacker News Reader

Comment by _hao | Hacker News Reader

If you haven't watched the film yet, make yourself a favour and watch it in IMAX if possible.

I thought it would be fine to watch on HBO Max but I’m glad I didn’t. The sound adds to the scale of the movie in a way that I don’t think is possible at home without a serious system.

Saw it in Dolby Cinema which, I think, is an IMAX competitor.

Dolby Cinema uses similar tech to IMAX Laser (Dolby is technically superior but arguably not at a level humans would notice in practice), both of which are superior to non-laser IMAX or any other theater type. The main difference is IMAX has a taller aspect ratio, which is probably worth it for movies shot in that format.

The sound vibrations were nice, but that's the best thing I can say about the IMAX version.

I watched it first on a smaller theater screen, and found I was much more able to focus on small details and contrasts. I enjoyed the IMAX version a lot less: sure, you are immersed in the movie, the soundtrack is terrific (and sounds less out-of-place sometimes). But I found it hard to focus on the movie, being reduced to a passive viewer.

I just caught a lot more details in my non-IMAX screening, that I completely missed the second time. When I recall scenes, I think those are from my first screening. I admit I don't know if my opinion were reversed had I seen it on IMAX first, but overall I'm not sold. Plus the ticket was more than twice the price (which I gladly give to fund the second movie -- I wish that made "pirating" legal for me).

It was pretty good in IMAX given the grand score and cinematography but it was actually the movie experience that convinced me on average I get better experience at home. Cutting off the few % of worst experiences + extra freedom by watching at home is well worth sacrificing a smallish (for me) comparatively improvement from watching at the cinema.

this is the most critical thing to remember about this movie and cannot be repeated enough. unless you have a top 1% home theater setup, you should see this in IMAX.

i'm seeing a lot of bad reviews from people who obviously watched it at home on a mediocre TV set in a living room. this movie deserves better.

Even if you have a top 1% home theater set up (and I do), the HBO Max release uses the cinematic aspect ratio (2.40:1?) with giant letterboxes top and bottom throughout, which cuts out a giant proportion out of the scenes filmed on IMAX cameras. I watched both a day apart, and the home video release is barely the same film (I exaggerate, but it's almost true).

Every time I go to the cinema in the past few years I feel assaulted by how loud the explosions and screaming are - Dune was no exception. I don't know if I'm getting old or other people just enjoy unhealthy noise levels.

I enjoy and recommend carrying foam earplugs; they're small and light; it saved me a couple of times from uncomfortable audio levels.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com