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[Blueguy]

I wonder if the people who don't notice the grain just aren't noticing it, just aren't aware, or actually did see a cleaner print.  Hearing equally mixed reports elsewhere as well.
 
Right away it was pretty noticable for myself and my friend.  He said he got used to it and didn't notice it after a while.  I got used to it as well, but whenever I took a moment to try and appreciate the scenery, it stuck out like a sore thumb. 

Oh well, 4 of us going to IMAX on Saturday.  Hopefully it's better.

Actually, come to think of it, and this is just a subjective note off the top of my head, there is a lot (LOTS) of high-speed photography in the film.  When I think back to films that use high-speed, digital, photography for fight scenes, (Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator, um... can't think of another right now, but I SHOULD be able too, LOL), it does have a grainy look.  That may have been intentional, if what you guys are talking about is what I am thinking of... (wow, what a convoluted sentence!).

I suppose that's a possibility, but the parts I noticed it the most were scenes that wouldn't have been high-speed and were mostly digitally created.  But I suppose it's also possible that they used the fake grain to more match the real grain from the actual filmed parts.  Grain consistency is important as well.

For all I know the source looks great, but the film reel being used was the cause of the grain.  Who knows...  I just hope when/if it shows up on Blu-ray this Summer/Fall that it looks a lot better.

[Blueguy]

Actually, IMDB trivia says most of the film was filmed at 50-150 fps, so if the high-speed film = more grain thing is true, that might be the reason. 

[J-Proof]

My guess for the grain is that it's due to different projectors -- many theaters have switched to digital projectors here in SoCal, though I know that most around the world haven't.

I doubt that speeding up footage (essentially removing frames) would have caused the grainiess. Any grain that is inherent to the element would most likely be there intentionally.

I don't really care tho, movie kicked SO much butt....

[RandyMistie]

My guess for the grain is that it's due to different projectors -- many theaters have switched to digital projectors here in SoCal, though I know that most around the world haven't.

I doubt that speeding up footage (essentially removing frames) would have caused the grainiess. Any grain that is inherent to the element would most likely be there intentionally.

I don't really care tho, movie kicked SO much butt....

Preach it, J!!!  Testify!  LOL!

[Blueguy]

My guess for the grain is that it's due to different projectors -- many theaters have switched to digital projectors here in SoCal, though I know that most around the world haven't.

I doubt that speeding up footage (essentially removing frames) would have caused the grainiess. Any grain that is inherent to the element would most likely be there intentionally.

I don't really care tho, movie kicked SO much butt....

If they were filming faster then 24fps, they'd need faster film right?  I think his point was that the faster film has more noticable grain. 

DLP projection.  Forgot about that.  I know of a theater nearby that's had that for a while.  I haven't been there since episode 3 though.  Looked outstanding but wasn't bright enough.

[RandyMistie]

My guess for the grain is that it's due to different projectors -- many theaters have switched to digital projectors here in SoCal, though I know that most around the world haven't.

I doubt that speeding up footage (essentially removing frames) would have caused the grainiess. Any grain that is inherent to the element would most likely be there intentionally.

I don't really care tho, movie kicked SO much butt....

If they were filming faster then 24fps, they'd need faster film right?  I think his point was that the faster film has more noticable grain. 

DLP projection.  Forgot about that.  I know of a theater nearby that's had that for a while.  I haven't been there since episode 3 though.  Looked outstanding but wasn't bright enough.

Yes, that was kinda my point although I'm no expert, so I don't know if it's true or not.

About DLP projectors, I can talk about that because I have one.  It's almost 3 years old now and they DO lose brightness and color contrast over time.  The bulb is rated at 3000 hours for "standard" (not eco mode), and I only have about 300 hours on it, (so it shouldn't be the bulb losing brightness) but it still has lost some "punch".   I've read that this is normal, but it is pissing me off.  Easy to replace though.  I just need to get a new one that fits into the ceiling bracket that I have installed.

When it was new, though, it was bright and crisp and clear.  I don't have a blu/ray yet, but I can't wait to hook one up to it.

[Blueguy]

you're talking about home DLP projector right?  I was talking about the theater one.  I'm guessing their bulbs are a bit brighter then the home one   

I was looking at the IMAX entry earlier today on wiki and the bulb they use sounds cool.  Not sure if it's true or not, but sounds nutty.

[J-Proof]

Regardless of the film used to shoot the original element, I'm absolutely positive it was all processed and touched up, especially since the movie was so saturated with CG. (We do film remastering here at Legend btw)

Anyway! That is why I think grain in the footage is either due to the particular film reel that the theater was supplied with (being physically worn somehow through handling and/or weather), or with crap in the projector.

I personally noticed nothing at my theater, save for the oodles and oodles of delightfully stylized blood splatters spraying accross the screen like ink from a quill brush!!

WOOHOOO! I can't wait to see it again =)

[Raven]

I thought it was kind of goofy.  I mean, why was Xerxes 10 feet tall?  What was the deal with the guy with the lobster-claw blades for hands?  What purpose would a giant bottomless pit serve aside from shoving Persians into?  That would only come into use at most two or three times a year, I'd imagine.  There'd have to be some other reason to have it there.  Why wouldn't Faramir just shut the hell up? 

It was entertaining, but just...goofy.     

In an review I heard on public radio the reasons were explained for many of the style choices.   Xerxes was 10 feet tall, the elephants were oversized and a lot of the stranger looking mutant characters came from the standpoint that the story was passed thru generations and embellished over the years.  Thats all.  Basically, how would you describe an elephant if you've never seen one before. 

[Raven]

... Oh and the pit.  No clue but I thought that scene was bad ass. 

[Pak-Man]

Directors still use FILM!? What's up with that? :^)

[torgosPizza]

Directors still use FILM!? What's up with that? :^)

And what's the DEAL with airline food?

Raven166 you are correct. The whole thing was told as a campfire story to rally up the troops. Not through generations because only one year had passed. But the idea is the same.

[J-Proof]

... Oh and the pit.  No clue but I thought that scene was bad ass. 

Oh totally. It's protrayed so wickedly better in the movie than in the graphic novel... I'd scan the page if I had it with me to show you why. But let's just say in the novel, Leonidas is NOT wearing his leather diapers.... and neither are the body guards. And the dialogue isn't really shown in the powerful manner that the movie was able to capture: "THIS. IS. SPARTA!!!!!" *slow-mo kick!!!!!!*

So badass......

[Rude]

...

Just a quick intrusion into your thread here (since i still haven't seen the film yet):

I've noticed that a lot of theaters like to show the most popular films in their IMAX theater, whether or not the film was formatted for an IMAX release. This would explain some of that grain that a few of you have mentioned. You simply can't take a film meant for a regular theater and show it on an IMAX screen without sacrificing quality.

Now, i'm sure that there were a few IMAX prints struck for release, but i've seen movies like Team America shown in an IMAX theater. If the manager thinks that they can sell the tickets and fill the theater, then they'll show anything in those theaters... unless it's otherwise verboten due to contracts or whatnot (such as with the Star Wars prequels).

Just FYI~

-Rude

[Raven]

Directors still use FILM!? What's up with that? :^)

And what's the DEAL with airline food?

Raven166 you are correct. The whole thing was told as a campfire story to rally up the troops. Not through generations because only one year had passed. But the idea is the same.

I meant for us the viewer not the characters within the story.