Boasting the U.K.’s largest IMAX screen, BFI IMAX in London’s Waterloo District is one of only 30 theaters in the world able to show movies that use the 1.43:1 aspect ratio. The fantastic visuals are matched by a state-of-the-art sound system that offers far greater dynamic range and quality than your average movie theater.
As soon as you head to the upper floor with the concession stand and entrance, you can feel that something is different about this theater. Instead of the endless halls of doors, each leading to a different movie playing over and over all day, you are instead greeted by two doors that lead to the same place; the front of a single auditorium that sports an enormous 65-foot-tall screen. The 85-foot width of the screen spans the entire space, making the entire 493-person crowd melt away once the movie starts.
The sound system, a 12-channel system IMAX developed specifically for its theaters with laser projectors, features speakers not only above and to the sides of viewers but also behind the screen itself to be able to give a true 365-degree sound experience.
My fellow moviegoer and I both noticed this very distinctly when we watched the IMAX rerelease of “Interstellar” there; we’d seen “Interstellar” more than five times but only on TV screens at home. Watching it at this theater was like seeing it for the first time. We were able to notice new things that we’d never seen before and gain a new appreciation for the cinematography and score because of how the specialized tech enhanced them. Loud moments meant to surprise and shock were effective even though we knew they were coming because of the sheer viscerality of the sound systems. Awe-inspiring shots had even more ability to take our breath away with the higher resolution, and felt completely new with the expanded aspect ratio.
The sound at times completely enveloped us and even took center stage over the visuals, becoming the movie’s primary storytelling catalyst in a way it never had when watched with headphones or even at traditional movie venues.
Of course, what most people think of when they hear about IMAX movies is the visual quality. This theater uses the newest and most advanced laser projector available to boost resolution, and it’s brighter and more vivid color makes every scene, even the ones that may seem bland on a computer or TV screen, a visual spectacle that will have you desperate for more. The added draw of IMAX is the expanded aspect ratio with this theater boasting a true 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which allows an IMAX movie to be shown without any cropping to fit the venue’s screen.
While the BFI IMAX was a unique experience, it does come with a few drawbacks. Because of the size and location of the screen, there’s only enough space for one, so the same movie plays all day for multiple days at a time, thus stifling the variety of movies that can be shown on such an exclusive screen.
Also because of the size of the venue, with a whopping 493 seats, the space between the rows is quite narrow. When someone in the middle of a row has to get to the aisle, it requires an awkward squeeze past your legs or every person in the row has to stand to let them through.
Ticket prices range from about $21 to $65 for the premium seats; it’s definitely a pricey attraction but one everyone should try to catch at least once in their lives.
