On the day of its release, I woke up at dawn and drove 40 miles to the suburbs of Philadelphia to watch Christopher Nolan’s film, Odyssey, at one of the few remaining theaters in the Northeast showcasing large-format, ultra-high-definition screenings. This was a rare opportunity to experience a 70mm IMAX movie.
Upon arrival, I noticed a crowd of fans donned in “NOLAN” sweatshirts and letterboxed dad hats, anxiously shifting outside the theater. My enthusiasm deflated as the 8 a.m. screening of Odyssey was canceled. A stressed employee jotted down my ticket number to process a refund while apologizing. Moviegoers expressed disappointment at missing the film early in its intended format, losing precious vacation time. A thought struck me: Could this be sabotage?
The film has faced threats since its announcement, fueled by a late-stage internet right-wing movement that aims to undermine it. Figures like Elon Musk have used their echo chambers to stoke dissent against the film amidst widespread public enthusiasm.
Criticisms abound for largely trivial reasons—including the casting of Black and Transgender actors and the presence of Matt Damon portrayed as a contemporary Odysseus. Comments about Americanized dialects of English and concerns regarding non-historic ship design were also brought up, even mocking the fact that Tom Holland says “Dad” in the trailer.
Despite nearly unanimous positive reviews—Odyssey currently holds a critic score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes—some still see it as indicative of a wider conspiracy. Those who claim to dislike the film are apparently working to vote against movie trailers and spurring campaigns to discourage viewing altogether.
However, mundane occurrences like power outages plagued the King of Prussia Legal Cinema due to recent extreme weather, suggesting an end to the buzz surrounding its release. Reports indicated that numerous similar theaters across the region were also affected.
Hundreds of early morning moviegoers left theaters frustrated, leading to a considerable loss in revenue. Despite this, Odyssey has reportedly achieved extraordinary pre-sales, with sold-out IMAX screenings leading to box office revenues projected at $200 million worldwide. As the film gains traction, it might just have the potential to become one of Nolan’s most profitable openings outside of his iconic Batman saga.
Demand for Odyssey is palpable, with fans going to great lengths to see it, including crossing state lines and even state borders for the biggest screen experience possible. Recently, a story circulated about a California woman who postponed her pregnancy to ensure she didn’t miss a weekend showing in 70mm IMAX. Personally, I traveled for a round trip of about an hour to catch the film.
The backlash against Odyssey from certain detractors has been met with a robust and organic fanbase. Despite the attempts of naysayers, the desire to experience epic moments on the big screen, featuring stellar cast performances, remains unshaken. While critics can downvote the trailer, the sheer enthusiasm of movie fans cannot be quelled.
Source: www.wired.com