MI3 seen on Digital Projection  Movie: Good, Image: Bad

Rating: 7/10 (11 May 2006)

Having read all the re-tooling that went into this franchise, the outcome could not have been more perfect, too bad the digital projection screening I saw diminished it. The digital showing times were listed separately (Kerasotes  Coon Rapids MN). Intrigued, I checked it out.
The intensity and tight direction make it the best film of the three. The most welcome aspect is that this film isn't all about Tom Tom Tom. There finally is an ensemble that resembles the original TV show that help to perpetrate the missions. Although still not based in the real world, you at least feel more tension and suspense and could go "sure, they might be able to do that". Except, that is, until the final reel. Then it's back to over-the-top action. But by then, you're hooked. The previews definitely did not do this film justice and could help explain the lackluster box office (Katie, Scientology, and Couches aside, Cruise does a great job being the hyper-hero).
The digital projection was DLP, and it looked and felt like I was watching a big screen TV. Here were the problems.
1.The light guns were not properly aligned. This was obvious when there was white text on the screen. The top of the letters had a red outline, and the bottom of letters had a blue outline.
2.Gradation of dark areas of the screen were very shallow. Example, the dark hair of Tom had no detail, no subtle highlights reflecting from nearby light sources. The hair was just a black blob with no definition. I went to a second showing of the film presented in traditional 35mm. The film image of the same shot of Tom's hair had much more detail and definition.
3.Colours were not true. The lips on actors were a purple-ish pink instead of pink-ish red.
As for resolution, the digital image seemed about the same, but the projected image from video looks obviously different than film.
If a local theatre advertises that a film is being shown as digital projection, avoid it if at all possible. Video projection in theatres should be welcomed to screen features that were shot on video. This opens up the field to 1000s of more lower budget independent films that can be as good or better than Hollywood flicks. But if it's film, see the film.
Movie: 7 out of 10.
Digital image: 4 out of 10