The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be shown in selected cinemas with Atmos the new immersive sound format from Dolby. It will be shown in this format on 80 to 100 screens worldwide when it opens in December according to The Hollywood Reporter. Dolby expects to have as many as 1000 Atmos ready cinemas by the time the second film in the trilogy The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is released.
In a statement Peter Jackson said,
“I strive to make movies that allow the audience to participate in the events onscreen, rather than just watch them unfold. Wonderful technology is now available to support this goal: high frame rates, 3D, and now the stunning Dolby Atmos system. Dolby has always been at the cutting edge of providing cinema audiences with the ultimate sound experience, and they have now surpassed themselves. Dolby Atmos provides the completely immersive sound experience that filmmakers like myself have long dreamed about.”
Terrific news. I’m sure it will be wonderful for all who manage to see it at an Atmos ready cinema. However, what with 48 fps and now Atmos sound being shown in a limited number of cinemas, I can’t help feeling for all the fans who would love to see The Hobbit in these formats but just won’t have the access to it.
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