Movies are now for the most part shot digitally and most theaters now only project in digital as well, leaving film to become an old-timey artifact, something aspect ratio snobs and movie connoisseurs only appreciate. But digital, while a much cheaper and simpler process, is still only “meh” when compared to the quality of film. While audiences get a cleaner image, the level of detail is significantly lower. Flat and lifeless digital just can’t touch the incredible resolution and richness of say, 70mm film.
Which is why Quentin Tarantino, a big advocate of shooting on and projecting film, made sure The Hateful Eight will be released on Christmas Day in 70mm in about 100 theaters, and then get its digital wide release December 31st. If anyone appreciates film, and can take advantage of 70mm or create a film that’s perfect for that format, it’s him.
His recent effort to bring it back to life, while small, is exciting and we may just get another taste of it in the next few months. ScreenCrush reports that Warner Bros. is considering showing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in glorious 70mm when it gets released on March 25, 2016. Whether you roll your eyes at this and scoff or are actually excited, it’s undeniable that this could take 70mm off life-support and give it some much deserved popularity. We’ve also never seen the amount of destruction sure to be in BvS shown in 70mm either. Superman and Batman beating this piss out of each other, buildings being destroyed like Lego blocks, and Jesse Eisenberg’s fabulous wig all in detail-soaked 70mm? Take my money.
Sure, Zack Snyder can be too self-serious and his movies have suffered from the same—the marketing for BvS indicates much of the same this time around. It’s hard to tell if this is just Snyder being the “auteur” he probably thinks he is, or Warner Bros. cashing in on the 70mm resurgence Tarantino kicked up for The Hateful Eight (WB will have 100 less theaters to worry about retrofitting thanks to Tarantino). Is it gimmicky? Maybe. Snyder is no Tarantino, nor is BvS a cinematographic wet dream, so we don’t really need to see it in 70mm. But it’ll serve two purposes and that’s what’s important.
For one, and arguably most important, it’ll give the celluloid revival more popularity—comic book and Snyder nerds are going to shit their pants and demand everything be in 70mm (On second thought, that could be bad). And lastly, it’ll make the finished product look better. Snyder shot a portion of the movie in 65mm so 70mm will do it the most justice. Tarantino is one of the few big guys today going to the lengths he does to preserve film. But he’s a dying breed and can’t single-handedly side-step the digital takeover. If Zack Snyder wants to help, it may be for reasons we disagree with, but everyone sort of wins in the end.
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