IMAX: Fun for all ages

Are your kids driving you nuts about going to so many museums while visiting Madrid? Take a day out and visit IMAX Madrid.

IMAX provides exciting, fun movies to watch while parents can sneak a little bit of educational matter into the day. The kids won't even know that they are learning anything!

For those who haven't yet experienced IMAX theatres in any part of the world, here's a bit of information for you. IMAX was first presented in Osaka, Japan during the Expo of 1970 and has been going strong ever since. IMAX now has more than 144 theatres in over 21 countries throughout the world, including 19 theatres in Europe. The technology that IMAX uses provides better images and sound than is available in regular movie theatres. IMAX continues to strive for bigger and better theatre experiences. IMAX now has projection in 3D at select theatres. This 3D projection, which provides an experience that makes it seem like you are actually in the movie and experiencing everything the camera is, is only available in 15 theatres throughout the world, including IMAX Madrid.

IMAX Madrid is unusual because it is one of two theatres in the world that combines technology from four different systems of projection in the same building. IMAX Madrid has the capability to show movies in IMAX, OMNIMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX HD systems. These systems include the use of different screens. The theatre in IMAX Madrid can switch screens using an electric motor in 4.5 minutes, which is impressive once you see how big these theatres are. IMAX Madrid also has 438 seats available for the public. It is gigantic!

The theatre at the IMAX Madrid is now showing 8 different movies. The days and show times for each movie is available on their website, www.imaxmadrid.com, for easy access. The films being shown as of now, November 2002, are:

• Cirque Du Soleil: El Paso de la Vida
• 3D Mania
• Misterios de Egipto (Mysteries of Egypt)
• Estacion Espacial (Space Station)
• El Cuerpo Humano (The Human Body)
• Castillo Encantado (Haunted Castle)
• T-Rex: Retorno al Cretacico
• Paraísos

Paraísos, El Cuerpo Humano, and Misterios de Egipto are all in Omnimax form, which is like watching a normal movie. The movies being shown in 3D, which you wear special glasses for include: 3D Mania, Estacion Espacial, T-Rex: Retorno al Cretacico, Cirque Du Soleil: El Paso de la Vida, and Castillo Encantado.

Cirque Du Soleil: El Paso de la Vida follows the life of one boy from birth to adulthood. It chronicles the boy's adventures and discoveries, especially the meaning of life. This IMAX combines 3D technology with dance, music, and the magic of circus talent to create a special viewing experience.

3D Mania is an introduction to 3D technology. The film follows the progression of art and technology from the time of hieroglyphics to the current information age. It combines special effects to make an educational film into something exciting.

Misterios de Egipto, filmed in Omnimax, brings the viewer into the ancient world of Egypt. The film is told in a story form, as an old man explaining to his granddaughter the history of Egypt. The film was made in conjunction with National Geographic, which made it possible to obtain detailed images of the inside of tombs that have been unavailable to camera crews before. It also provides breathtaking photography of landscapes in Egypt.

Estacion Espacial takes the audience on an adventure into space. The audience traces several crew`s steps from the Kennedy Space Center all the way into the International Space Station, more than 200 miles above the Earth. The 3D viewing makes you feel as if you are up in space with the crews. Don't miss this one, it is a great show.

El Cuerpo Humano is an amazing documentary made by the BBC. It introduces viewers to the processes of the human body. The viewer even gets to see interior images of the body. Not only does this documentary follow all stages of life, but also shows the progression of a pregnancy. Anyone interested in biology or in what it means to be human should check this IMAX film out.

Castillo Encantado is the story of Johnny, a young musician who moves into his recently deceased mother's home. However, upon moving in Johnny realizes that the house is not only his home but home to several evil spirits. Johnny also encounters the spirit of his mother who warns him of the evil lurking in the castle. If you like horror movies, this one is for you.

T-Rex: Retorno al Cretacico is the return of the dinosaurs! It also features excavations in North America and displays the work of famous palaeontologist Barnum Brown. It also uses the most recent scientific findings from world renowned palaeontologist Dr. Philip Currie to create a true scientific experience.

Paraisos features seven different beautiful locations: the island of Madagascar, Tibet, the desert of Namibia, the icebergs of Greenland, and the Amazon River in South America to name a few.