The William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater at the Science Museum of Minnesota just went digital with a new laser projection system!
On Thursday, October 17th, the Omnitheater opened as only the third IMAX digital laser dome theater in the world, and we visited for the premiere of Superpower Dogs!
The Omnitheater has been at the Science Museum for four decades showing movies using a film projection system. We’ve seen many of them over the years. But its new digital laser projection system will allow for “even better contrast, brightness, clarity, and color.”
Superpower Dogs is the first film to be shown with the new system. It’s the story of six real-life working dogs as they help save lives following earthquakes and avalanches, as well as protect endangered species, and help people with special needs.
We got to meet Henry, one of the stars of the movie. Henry is a 5-year-old border collie from Canada. Henry and Ian Bunbury, his handler/trainer, are a Senior Avalanche Rescue Dog Team. Together they work as volunteers with the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association.
Henry was so amazingly well-trained by Ian. He would pose with everyone so well, though of course he’s trained to do much more.
The other dogs in the movie are so cute yet so amazing. For example, Halo’s story was featured throughout the movie, as a disaster response dog in Miami, Florida. Reef is a water rescue dog in Italy, and Ricochet provides emotional support to people with disabilities (below).
My kids and I enjoyed the movie so much. It was interesting and even made me a little teary-eyed near the end (it was a good ending!).
We also loved that for the first time ever they had concessions you can buy and bring into the show! We had some popcorn and cookies but there was a lot more you could buy. (I don’t admire whoever has to clean up people’s spilled popcorn in those high rows of seats, though.)
Was the quality of the movie better?
I would say it was the best quality I can imagine. The color and sharpness were excellent and immersive. With everything going digital now, I think it was a great move for the Omnitheater.
Check it out for yourself! Superpower Dogs is playing now.
For more information, visit the Science Museum’s website.
(Disclosure: We were provided with a complimentary visit to facilitate sharing our experience. All opinions are 100% mine.)
