In excellent news for premium format cinema in the U.K., the Science Museum in London has announced that its IMAX screen will reopen on 9 December 2020, sporting both IMAX Laser and IMAX 70mm projectors. This arguably makes it the cinematic destination of choice for giant-screen film fans in the capital, and one of only two venues in Europe featuring both of IMAX’s premium formats in one venue.
The good news continues as while the screen is new in the newly refurbished and newly named, IMAX: The Ronson Theatre, it a 1.43 aspect ratio, so movie fans will be able to enjoy showings projected in full-frame IMAX format, as used by many whether projected from the IMAX 70mm film projector or the dual-4K laser digital.( If you want to read more about the benefits of 70mm do check out my review of Tenet at the BFI IMAX at Waterloo, London.) The room will also offer IMAX’s 12-channel precision audio system.
Science Museum Group
The cinema has been closed for 10 months, but with the Covid-19 pandemic, it proved to be an opportune time for the refurbishment, which marked 20 years since the screen was first opened. It was undertaken by Ellis Williams Architects, who also revamped the Odeon Leicester Square featuring London’s first Dolby Cinema. Like that screen, the new cinema features modern, comfortable seating, which, having attended the original screen several times will be most welcome.
Close up of the 70mm film projector in the IMAX The Ronson Theatre at the Science Museum
It seems that there was an eco-theme to the project and we’re told that the seats are made from recycled fibre, the carpets from recycled plastic, and the supplied 3D glasses for stereoscopic films from a new material that will last four times longer than previous models. All good news, but you'll have to bring your own lentils.
Science Museum Group
You won't have to bring your own drinks though, as a new bar with seating will also improve the experience for visitors once they reach the cinema, which, rather unconventionally, is located at towards the rear of the ground floor of the Science Museum.
The first film to open at the Science Museum IMAX won’t be a blockbuster but rather Antarctica 3D narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Visitors will also be able to enjoy A Beautiful Planet 3D, narrated by Jennifer Lawrence.
Hopefully this will be followed by Wonder Woman 1984, which, after several Covid-19 related delays is scheduled to open on 16 December—and you won't need a lasso of truth to find out where I'll want to be seeing it.
