The Odyssey Was Made For A Screen Seattle Has But Won’t Turn On
I think it's safe to say that one of this year's biggest summer movies is The Odyssey. I had a chance to go see it last week. I thought it was quite interesting, I really enjoyed it. After seeing the movie, I started to think maybe I needed to read Homer's Odyssey. Then I came to my senses. (No, I don't think so.)
One of the things that's unique about this film's production is that it is the first live action movie shot entirely in the IMAX format. Something that had not been done before because IMAX cameras are incredibly noisy. The folks at IMAX stepped up and designed cameras that were much quieter.
So here is the question.
Can you actually watch the Odyssey in an IMAX theater? The answer is yes; you can. Well, kind of. The thing is there's only one "full-height" IMAX theater in the state of Washington, and that is located at the Seattle Science Center. The keywords are "full height." (1.43:1 IMAX format) There are some other IMAX theaters in the state of Washington, but the screens are not as big (or tall) as they need to be for this "full-height" presentation.
The theatre that we're talking about, that is full-height is what used to be the Boeing IMAX theater at the Seattle Science Center. That theater was purchased by the Space Needle earlier this year. It is now known as "IMAX at the center" and is not currently running any Feature films, only two 30 min. documentaries.
Now the Seattle Film Commission. (Yes, there is one). Is stepping in and asking the Space Needle to begin running feature films again.
According to axios.com,
‘The commission — a city advisory group that recommends policies to support Seattle's film industry — urged the Space Needle to resume regular IMAX feature-film programming. "Seattle should be participating in culture, not watching it happen somewhere else," the letter says.
The Space Needle didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Thursday. (7/30/26)’
Just a footnote here; you actually can watch the Odyssey at the Seattle Science Center in the Paccar IMAX theater at the Seattle Science Center. But remember, it's not the full height version. It is, however, still incredibly immersive.
What do you think the Space Needle should do? Should they step up and start showing Hollywood films in IMAX as well, starting with The Odessey?
It would put them in competition with the PACCAR IMAX theater.
I guess we'll just have to wait and find out if The Space Needle people have any response to the letter sent to them by the Seattle Film Commission.
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Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela
