Oblivion at Esquire IMAX Theater
By John Benton
Staff Writer
 In the year 2077, Earth has been through decades of destruction from an ongoing war with an extraterrestrial threat known as the Scavs. Earth is evacuated and protective drones circle the planet to protect the floating machines that collect vital resources left over from the war. A small group of drone repair techs are the only humans left. With 2 weeks left of their final mission, tech Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) and his communications officer Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), look forward to joining the rest of humanity on Titan, a colony on the largest of Saturn’s moons. Photo: Tom Cruise in a scene from "Oblivion"
 The steamy romance between Cruise and relative newcomer Andrea Riseborough sets an opposing emotional tone to the stark emptiness of the planet. It’s a lonely land without humans, but they seem to make the best of it. However, Harper has been disturbed for a few weeks by dreams of a mysterious woman (Olga Kurylenko), although she seems more than a stranger. Out on a routine drone repair mission, a piece of a spacecraft crashes to earth which prompts Harper to investigate. What he finds in the wreckage begins to unravel all of his plans, as well as his understanding of the world. Photo: Olga Kurylenko and Tom Cruise in "Oblivion"
 No stranger to science fiction or action films, Tom Cruise is excellent as Jack Harper. Cruise is known for doing his own stunts, and Oblivion is no exception. Of all of his action scenes in the film, the most difficult was one where he was perched atop a mountain peak with an 800 foot drop at his feet. Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and the fact that he actually does his own stunts puts him in a whole different category. From speeding across the desert on a foldaway motorcycle without a helmet to falling through a hole in the ground and crashing into debris on the floor of an underground library, Cruise’s stunts in full IMAX splendor, make for edge-of-your-seat excitement.
Photo: Tom Cruise in "Oblivion"
 As a big fan of science fiction, I have been looking forward to this film for quite a while. I’ve been careful to avoid spoilers and to not read too much about the story so that I could experience it first as the director intended. I am also a fan of Tom Cruise. In my opinion, he is one of Hollywood’s most consistently amazing actors who stops at nothing to make sure his newest work is better than the last. Oblivion is a new story complete with plot twists that could be easily spoiled. Be careful not to read too much in reviews before you see this movie. It is a must-see for any sci-fi of Tom Cruise fan. Photo: Morgan Freeman in "Oblivion"
 Known for giving the audience a bigger than life experience, IMAX is the cutting edge for entertainment, especially the IMAX 3D. Many movies shown today are coming to theaters in multiple formats. 35mm, 70mm, digital, and 3D are all terms being thrown around a lot by theaters. IMAX has been at the forefront of large format film projection for years. From its premiere at the Fuji Pavilion of EXPO '70 in Osaka, Japan, IMAX has pushed the technology of film projection to the limits. Many of its early films had to be created in a special format just for IMAX theaters. In 2002, they introduced IMAX DMR, a re-mastering technology which allowed them to convert blockbuster movies which had been created in other formats to a whole new level. Now, beloved films and new releases could be changed significantly so that they could be experienced in the immersive style that only IMAX could provide. Photo: IMAX
The first of such films was The Matrix Revolutions in 2003 which was simultaneously released in IMAX and conventional theaters. The most obvious difference between IMAX and conventional theaters is the screen. Spanning from floor to ceiling, the IMAX screen isn’t only larger, it is shaped differently. Conventional screens have an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, which means it’s almost 2 ½ times wider than it is tall. IMAX changes this to 1.43:1 which means a taller picture. The screen is also curved so that the audience is brought closer in to the center of the action. When you pair this with the unparalleled brightness of IMAX 3D, the immersive experience blows you away. Conventional theaters can’t hold a candle to IMAX.
Unfortunately, this film is not in IMAX 3D. Even without the 3D effects, this movie was feast for the senses. Patrons of Esquire IMAX are even able to park free for the movies, which is a very nice perk to seeing a movie downtown. If you park at the Capital Garage on the corner of 10th and L St. (Mon-Fri after 5:00, and all weekend long) and have your parking stub validated, you will not be charged when you return to your car.
For more information about the Esquire IMAX, upcoming events, services they offer, parking, or to get tickets, visit them at http://www.imax.com/oo/esquire-imax/ or call the box office at (916) 443-4629. For more information about the film Oblivion, visit www.oblivionmovie.com Enjoy the IMAX experience soon. Free parking is at the Capitol Lot on L & 10th Streets, weekdays after 5pm, and all weekend with validation sticker. Present your parking ticket at the Box Office.
For birthday parties and field trips, email aatilano@imax.com or phone: 916-446-2333x200. For events, fund raisers, IMAX educators and private show screenings, email wrussell@imax.com or phone 916-446-2333 x201.
Back to Top
|
|
Amador Flower Farm
Murder in the Gold Country
 Support the fight
against Breast
Cancer
Ione Pharmacy
Clear Water
The Shack Restaurant
Lockeford Jewelry
and Loan
Farmers Market
|
