IMAX’s iconic, pre-show trailer has been hyping audiences up for blockbuster films for two decades, but while its spiffy, space-age visuals have remained up-to-date, the accompanying audio was due for an overhaul.
With that in mind, IMAX has partnered with Man Made Music for a sonic shake-up. To coincide with the opening of its 1,000th theater, the company has created a new, “official sound anthem,” dubbed Pure Experience. The new theme was created with a hodgepodge of electronic sounds, plus a 150-piece orchestra and a 75-voice choir. The new tag will hit ears in 65 countries ahead of screenings of the latest James Bond film, Spectre.
IMAX touts Pure Experience as an anthem capable of taking advantage of its theaters’ state-of-the-art sound systems, which can handle the airiest highs, right down to rumbling, 20Hz lows.
A clip of the new open is embedded above, and it’s easy to imagine that the new, immersive anthem could help bring your anticipation for an upcoming film to a fever pitch when it hits IMAX systems.
It’s also worth noting that — while stunning visuals are pretty much par for the home theater course — truly top-of-the-line audio is harder for your average consumer to come by. With the proliferation of streaming options, and the persistent threat of illegal downloads, putting butts in theater seats has become a bit more challenging in recent years. As such, IMAX’s signature surround sound hardware, coupled with its towering screens, offers something that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The company’s souped up introductory video describes the dilemma thusly “watch a movie, or be part of one.”
Sam Mendes’ Spectre is currently showing on IMAX screens, while Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens will begin its hostile takeover of the format on Dec. 18, 2015.
