Despite steadily expanding its reach over the past decade, the super-sized IMAX format has largely failed to catch on with mainstream movie audiences, its appeal heretofore limited mainly to fans of brainy science documentaries like Space Station 3D and Aliens of the Deep (which was surprisingly good, actually).
That could change, however, with the IMAX release of The Dark Knight. Director Christopher Nolan shot six action sequences, including the film's opening scene, with IMAX cameras (audiences will be cued to the scenes when the screen expands from the standard, letterboxed view to the jumbo IMAX version). When Batman leaps from a building or glides through the air, fans will be able to experience it like they never have before -- and perhaps even get a little queasy. (Those of you who are afraid of heights should opt to see it in a standard theater -- trust me.)
The Dark Knight is already breaking IMAX box office records, and some theaters -- like this one in London -- are contemplating running it 24/7. Head over to the IMAX website for a full list of theaters running TDK in jumbovision.