IMAX To Feature Longer Cut of Transformers 2 With “More Robot Fighting”

[GreenScar]

Okay Transformer's fans, now you can get even more robot goodness by seeing the movie on IMAX:



Michael Bay has posted a new update on his official forum, confirming what I’ve heard from a variety of sources — Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen isn’t finished, even though the movie is set to premiere tonight in Tokyo, Japan. I’ve heard that the crew has been working around the clock, 7-days a week, to finish the movie and Bay says that the film is “almost finished.”

He also tells moviegoers to see the film on the big 50 foot tall IMAX screens, as the computer animated effects have been rendered at 4K for the 70mm projection. Oh, and the IMAX version of the film is “slightly longer” with “more robot fighting” and the previously advertised, four scenes that were shot with IMAX cameras that “will fill the fill IMAX screen”. Read the full update below.

Hey everyone,

In Japan today. After a month and half seven days a week most days going till midnight me and my crew have just about finished Transformers. I have never seen such a level of dedication from every crew member in a movie before.

Even today after the press in Japan and right before the premiere tonight, I have to sneak out to a digital house to approve the last few effect shots.

It has been a long hard road, but really fun one to travel. What you will notice that is strikingly different than Transformers 1, is the level of animation detail. The robot characters (42 in all), you really can feel empathy for them. What is also very different is the sheer scale of the movie. We have been very tight holding back much of the best imagery in commercials and trailers.

The way to see this movie is on IMAX. Never before has there been 4k rendered character animation shot on full IMAX 70 mm film. This is a first and the results are stunning. You will see Optimus Prime in a few shots where he is actually perfectly to scale on the IMAX 50 foot tall screens.

For IMAX, I created a slightly longer cut with more robot fighting. Four scenes were shot on IMAX cameras so the screen will fill the full IMAX screen for these scenes.

Haters beware.

Michael

[OrlandoEastwood]

Heh, oh, joy. There's no IMAX in my area.

[cajmoyper]

I don't know if this has been asked but minus these IMAX exclusive fights, how much of the film was filmed with IMAX cameras?

[Downhere]

Another movie with some shots in IMAX camera's...I can only imagine that the Blu-ray will be similar to TDK. *sighs*

[Steve]

I'm glad to know this upfront. I have a true IMAX theater about 45 minutes away. Sounds like it might be worth the drive.

[Blu-Ron]

Originally Posted by DVDave

I thought there was a limit to the length they could project a film in Imax which is why Attack of the Clowns was "edited" down to like 90 minutes in Imax.

Dood, you made me "P" a little.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DVDave

I thought there was a limit to the length they could project a film in Imax which is why Attack of the Clowns was "edited" down to like 90 minutes in Imax.

3hours is the approximate limit i think (some one correct me if i'm wrong)

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DVDave

I remember them having to edit because of the length of the reels or something so it was missing all of the boring stuff like Ani and Padme frolicking on their picnic and all of the other boring stuff. It actually improved the film.

sounds like a better movie to me....

i like the film, but i hate that part and others


maybe they can be longer now?

there was a story in the Avatar thread that mentioned 3hours being the limit

i think Greenscar might have posted it

[GreenScar]

I think it's 3 hours now due to recent upgrades in the projectors or something like that.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DVDave

Well then if it's 3 hours that would mean 90 minutes per reel so maybe that's why. They were trying to get it all on one reel and had to cut it down.

found the list of things that got cut

The Jedi Council Meets with Palpatine

This scene was undeservedly cut from the very beginning. Here Amidala introduces the idea of Count Dooku's involvement in the threats on her life, and it is here that Chancellor Palpatine suggests to the Jedi Council that Obi-Wan protect her. This is important exposition, and the absence of it causes the first few scenes to feel choppy. I also love the shot of Yoda looking suspicious when Palpatine makes his suggestion. Excellent foreshadowing put to waste.

The Archives

The Archives scene is necessary exposition that helps build tension and interest. "If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist." The fact that both the archives computer and the librarian deny the existence of the Kamino star system make it more mysterious when Obi-Wan consults Yoda and the younglings about it later on. This was also the scene that featured Lucas' son Jett as the uncredited padawan learner. In the scheme of things, this cut is only minutely offensive to the story.

"It's not fair!"

Hallelujah, this line was cut. Anakin says it to Padmé about Obi-Wan's oppressive mentorship skills. This is one of several dialogue cuts made with the probable intention of painting Anakin as a bit more mature. It is hard to see him as an object of romantic interest when he is whining and pouting like a child.

The Throne Room

In this scene, Padmé consults with Queen Jamillia (Ayesha Dharker) of the Naboo on the increasing threat of the separatist movement and the fate of the Republic. Unfortunately for Dharker, it was her only scene, but it is unnecessary to the plot and involves some painfully poor dialogue between Anakin and Padmé.

The Meadow Picnic

Despite what people say about this scene, it was a huge mistake to cut it. It is visually one of the most breathtaking scenes in the movie. Another case of good foreshadowing wasted. Anakin's comment about the functionality of a dictatorship and the brief darkness of the score is just fantastic. "The Meadow Picnic" is one of the best tracks on the soundtrack and it's a shame that IMAX audiences will be robbed of such a beautiful theme.

The Shaak Ride

The most deserving cut out of all of them. Anakin riding the shaak is simply bad CGI, and for those of you who have seen it, who but Padmé really fell for Anakin playing dead when the shaak threw him off?

The main problem with the rest of the minor cuts is that they all seem to subtract from the romantic elements. The audience is taken from point A to point B with no explanation, no feeling and no passion. How can you have a theme as brilliant as John Williams' "Across the Stars" without a love story equally as brilliant to accompany it?


IMAX was 2hours flat (22 minutes were cut)


so i'm thinking now they can be longer for some reason with the projectors or something else like GS said
since Transformers and Avatar won't have to be severely cut
and neither was TDK (152min)

[RiseDarthVader]

The IMAX projection system (and most 35mm projection systems) use PLATTERS! not reels!
And the IMAX limit has been extended so you can fit much longer movies on them. But they would be a ***** to move those prints. I am also dissapointed the IMAX scenes will have the CGI rendered in 4K and probably upscaled. The Dark Knight atleast rendered it in 5K but I guess we wont notice too much of a difference.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I'm glad to know this upfront. I have a true IMAX theater about 45 minutes away. Sounds like it might be worth the drive.

Yea my IMAX is in Prov., RI - about 45 mins. away. No big deal as I see movies at the same location quite often (16-screen cinema on 1 side, IMAX across the Hall) - 2 of the 16 screens are Quite HUGE so we go there for the BIG tent-pole action flicks & usually see 2 movies, eating before or between them. IS IT JUNE 24th YET??!!

[PH3AR]

i would be excited but there is no IMAX even close to me!

[Blu-Jawa]

that stinks! there is no IMAX around here. I will have to wait till the blu-ray to see that longer version.

I just hope the blu-ray will have the full IMAX version on there and maybe a second disc with the theater version.

[LynxFX]

Imax platters are quite the sight when you see them in person.


I felt scammed by the 'IMAX' cut of the first Transformers. Mostly pointless footage put in. More fighting footage sounds promising. I may only see it in IMAX now because of the scenes actually shot with the cameras. It is a shame that so many will be duped into seeing this on those IMAX lite theaters, paying full price of course.

Anyone know which theaters are true IMAX in the L.A. area? I know the Universal one is. I believe the Century City 15 is a lite theater but I'm not sure of The Bridge. Those are the 3 listed for getting T2.

[danay82]

150 minutes of pure pleasure!

More than what my girlfriend can offer me.

[PH3AR]

Originally Posted by danay82

150 minutes of pure pleasure!

More than what my girlfriend can offer me.

[SlmShdy1]

I already got my tickets for the 23rd at the Sony Metreon. I'm going to have to show up at least 6 hours ahead to get a good spot in line.

[kevinbr100]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

The IMAX projection system (and most 35mm projection systems) use PLATTERS! not reels!
And the IMAX limit has been extended so you can fit much longer movies on them. But they would be a ***** to move those prints. I am also dissapointed the IMAX scenes will have the CGI rendered in 4K and probably upscaled. The Dark Knight atleast rendered it in 5K but I guess we wont notice too much of a difference.

yeah can you imagine dropping that, oops. prints probably cost a ton too, thats why most theaters did away with 70mm prints. after they got rid of most of the projectionists and had minimum wage workers handling 20k-50k prints, and they kept getting damaged

[hardcorefrokid]

I'm there! My IMAX Theater is 15 minutes away!