By now you’ve read a few negative reviews, you’ve engaged in talk with a few friends, and you’re ready for a second viewing of the Suicide Squad film in order to catch everything you might have missed. Given all the hype and anticipation surrounding this, there’s still only one way to watch the best hero-centric comic book blockbusters in South Africa: IMAX. And here’s why.
As with most blockbusters, Warner Bros. has released the film in both 2D and 3D. The question always is whether or not 3D and IMAX is worth your extra cash (if you suffer from boss eyedness the choice is obvious). Sometimes the added dimension is worth it, but most times it’s completely superfluous (take Clash Of The Titans, for example). Thankfully, comic book movies tend to lend themselves to the amplified visual effect of the IMAX 3D treatment, and Suicide Squad feels right at home in the environment.
Despite the fact that David Ayer’s Suicide Squad was converted to 3D in post-production, the film offers a good number of gimmicky fly-out-of-the-screen fun. The text over the film is probably the best example of this and works well with the playful nature of the film. The 3D elements also enhance Ayer’s punk-rock narrative style, which is often flashy and exciting. That said, the film is incredibly dark (thanks to the gritty palette we’ve become accustomed to in Warner films) and, when you couple that with the added tint from the 3D glasses, a lot of the faster and bigger action sequences aren’t easy on the eyes. Your eyes do adjust and it’s helped along by the massive size of the screen.
The huge screen allows you to take in more of the film. I noticed a lot more things happening in the background and foreground of the larger action sequences. There is no doubt that the IMAX theatres are superior to a lot of the other cinemas I’ve been to lately. The screen is sharper, clearer and the colours pop a lot more. Of course, all this is enhanced even more by the thundering 7.1 sound system. You’re really emerged into the world with sounds happening all around you. And yes, it’s loud. Very loud. Depending on how close to the speakers you are, you’ll be tempted to put your hands over your ears when something explodes on screen. Fortunately, Suicide Squad gives the speakers a good workout.
The only thing that can make a film more fun is a fun experience. Ster-Kinekor’s IMAX is definitely a fun experience. I honestly enjoyed the film a lot more the second go round. It made everything in Suicide Squad feel more alive.
