TGV Cinemas and IMAX Take Malaysia’s Cinematic Experience to New Heights

Kuala Lumpur, 13 December 2011 – TGV Cinemas (TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd), the country’s leading exhibitor and multiplex cinema chain operator and IMAX® Corporation, the world's leading entertainment technology company, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies, today announced the installation of Malaysia’s first Digital IMAX® theatre at TGV Cinemas’ most popular multiplex, TGV Sunway Pyramid. Present to officiate the launch were Don Savant, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, IMAX® Asia Pacific and Kenny Wong, CEO, TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd.

Scheduled to open on 14 December 2011, the IMAX® theatre will also be the first to screen the much anticipated blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol The IMAX® Experience, which opens globally on 21 December 2011.(L-R): Tamon Iwasaki, Director, Theatre Marketing, Asia, IMAX® Corporation, Don Savant, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, IMAX® Asia Pacific and Kenny Wong, CEO, TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd at the IMAX launch press conference.

The IMAX® theatre is redesigned and refitted to TGV’s new concept to provide sheer comfort and better audio and visual quality. With a seating capacity of 292, the IMAX® theatre is a result of the merger of two cinema halls, sacrificing 252 seats to offer movie goers much wider legroom and comfortable seats.

The IMAX® Theater System is touted to provide cinema goers the world’s most immersive movie experience with IMAX® revolutionary projection technology. The IMAX® Experience combines crystal-clear images, powerful digital sound and customized theatre geometry to create a uniquely immersive movie experience. The IMAX® theatre at TGV Sunway is custom-designed for use in a multiplex theatre. In order to maximize the field of view in the modified auditorium, the screen was replaced with a larger, slightly curved and specially treated IMAX® screen positioned closer to the audience.

IMAX® digital projection system combines two digital projectors with IMAX® proprietary image enhancer and custom lenses to create an image with greater clarity, brightness and contrast. The images on screen are complemented by a powerful IMAX® laser-aligned sound system, which features proprietary loudspeaker technology and uncompressed digital sound. This sound system has ten times more dynamic range, cuts down on distortion and provides a sound quality that feels more immersive, especially with the added theatre acoustic paneling that absorbs sound and removes echo.Experiencing IMAX, the World’s Most Immersive Movie Experience. (L – R) : Kenny Wong, CEO, TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd, Don Savant, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, IMAX® Asia Pacific and Tamon Iwasaki, Director, Theater Marketing, Asia, IMAX Corporation.

The TGV Sunway IMAX® theatre is capable of showing both IMAX® and IMAX® 3D presentations including inspiring documentaries and Hollywood’s blockbuster movies.

“We believe that TGV cinemas will take the brand to new heights in Malaysia with the installation of the IMAX® theatre at its flagship TGV Sunway Pyramid complex,” said Don Savant, IMAX’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific.

“The revolutionary IMAX® digital theatre system, coupled with our strong film slate of Hollywood blockbusters, will offer movie buffs the world’s most immersive cinematic experience,” said Savant.

“By introducing the first digital IMAX® theatre in the country, TGV Cinemas has positioned itself as leaders within Malaysia’s film and exhibition industry,” said Kenny Wong, Chief Executive Officer, TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd.

“IMAX® delivers an unparalleled immersive experience that no other digital systems offer and we are proud to partner with them,” said Wong further.

TGV Sunway Pyramid is also the perfect location for the IMAX® launch with its timely renovation. The newly refurbished TGV Sunway Pyramid multiplex offers a brand new movie going experience with the introduction of the Tiered Seating options and Beanieplex concepts. TGV Cinemas will also introduce its first ever Premier Class Halls, aptly known as the TGV CLUB which is set to be launched in January 2012.

“We are confident Malaysians will find The IMAX® Experience most enriching. We are also delighted to transform the movie-going experience and bring it to greater heights with the introduction of the Tiered Seating and Beanieplex concepts as well as the TGV CLUB” said Wong.

The newly refurbished TGV Sunway Pyramid offers a wide variety of cinematic experiences catering to the different needs of moviegoers. Following the success of the Beanieplex concept in Penang Island, moviegoers in the Klang Valley can now snuggle comfortably into the soft, cushy beanbag seats that come in pairs, for a cozy and relaxed viewing experience with an enhanced larger-than-life screen and powerful Dolby® 7.1 audio sound system.

With the introduction of TGV CLUB, moviegoers can enjoy delicious food, snacks and beverage in an exclusive, premium lounge environment before enjoying their favorite movie in intimately sized halls with special, extra plush seats. Designed with the airlines seating classes in mind, Tiered Seating allows patrons to select between “first class” couple seats, “business class” individual larger and more comfortable seats; or regular seats to suit their preference.

Guests at the event were also treated to TGV Cinemas’ new, delicious Popcorn Royale, a premium, fully coated caramel popcorn, currently available in selected TGV locations.

For more information on TGV Cinemas, please visit their website: www.tgv.com.my

Ticketing details:
Tickets to IMAX® 2D format movie screenings is priced at RM22 to RM25
Tickets to IMAX® 3D format movie screenings is priced at RM26 to RM29