Movies

L.A.’s Sphere-like venue Cosm turns ‘The Matrix’ into an immersive experience

BBG News

At Cosm, when I immerse myself in “The Matrix,” it’s like peering into layers upon layers of a story within a story. A single apartment shot opens up to reveal an entire complex. A rooftop fight scene transforms into just a fraction of a sprawling cityscape. Turning my gaze to the left, what was once out of sight becomes fully visible – a helicopter now soaring boldly above us.

Cosm has gained popularity and a loyal following due to its specialized sports programming. At the Inglewood venue, spectators are immersed in an extraordinary experience thanks to a 87-foot-diameter, wraparound screen enclosed within a dome, giving the impression of being right there among the action. Unable to attend that NBA Finals or World Series game? Cosm offers an alternative for you, providing seat experiences similar to the front row and unique perspectives.

Now, Cosm aspires to revolutionize the way we watch movies. Starting this Thursday, a remake of “The Matrix” will be screened, which they’ve coined as “shared reality.” This phrase essentially means that innovative CGI effects have been added, enhancing the original 1999 film by appearing above, beneath, and surrounding it. Previously, Cosm has mainly produced short-form content, but “The Matrix” represents their debut in full-length films.

The goal here is not just to watch the movie “The Matrix” with a fresh perspective, but to immerse oneself as if they were in the same world as Keanu Reeves’ character Neo, Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, and Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus. This film is particularly suited for this endeavor because its anti-AI message remains relevant today, while its themes of dual realities resonate deeply.

Over the years, numerous aspirations for an immersive movie experience have emerged, ranging from the occasional experimentation with interactive films to the temporary revival of this concept on platforms like Netflix (“Black Mirror: Bandersnatch”). More recent examples include 4DX theaters that offer motion-enabled seats and special effects such as those found in “Twisters”. Cosm, however, appears to offer a unique proposition: a fully immersive screen capable of presenting previously unseen viewpoints, at times even simulating a theme park ride experience.

Travel & Experiences

Think of the new Inglewood venue as a planetarium for the next generation.

Cosm’s version of “The Matrix,” produced along with experiential creative agency Little Cinema, immerses viewers right from the start with an action sequence that appears to be a city skyline at night, giving the impression we’re standing on a rooftop. On another front, Neo’s office building transforms into a labyrinth of cubicles. The movie’s iconic red pill versus blue pill scene is emphasized by large, radiant capsules filling the frame. As Neo wakes up, we find ourselves disoriented amidst towering, industrial pods.

As a film enthusiast, my primary goal when crafting a cinematic experience is to strike a delicate balance: to amplify the film without overshadowing its essence. In musical terms, I view myself as the backing band, allowing the movie to take center stage as the lead singer. The movie should be the star, the one doing the singing, and my role is to follow its rhythm – the sound design, emotional moments, and action sequences. Essentially, I aim to accentuate the key beats, rather than overshadow them.

As the movie nears its end, the images become increasingly intense. The animations work best when they spread across the entire screen instead of mirroring the action – for example, providing a helicopter’s perspective instead of simply replicating or imitating a scene from the film. Since I had watched “The Matrix” previously and was familiar with its narrative flow, I found it easier to divert my focus from the movie, which is usually centered on the screen and often framed within a border.

Instead, let me express my astonishment at the intricate interiors of Morpheus’ hovercraft, the Nebuchadnezzar, as depicted in the film. The vessel’s ambiance – humming engines, glowing electronics, and array of monitors – adds depth to the visuals on screen. While some die-hard film enthusiasts might raise an eyebrow at additional imagery beyond the original director’s vision (as Rinsky hasn’t collaborated with directors Lana or Lilly Wachowski), I believe it enhances world-building, particularly for viewers revisiting the movie multiple times.

As a movie enthusiast, I wasn’t surprised when the climax of the film turned into a flurry of side plots. Bullets whizzed past, finding their marks as walls collapsed and crumbled around us. Cosm’s screen was sharp and immersive enough to simulate movement or flight, which was fortunate because it was used sparingly, adding an extra layer of tension only when the characters leaped into action.

Last summer, when Cosm first opened, CEO Jeb Terry emphasized that their focus wasn’t on showing movies, but rather sports or original content. In his words, “We’re not a traditional theater; we’re more about creating experiences.” Interestingly, “The Matrix” aligns with this strategy, as the CGI visuals have been developed since around August 2024 according to Rinsky, with most of the intensive work starting in January.

Rinsky points out that “The Matrix” fits the format exceptionally well due to its ability to shift settings within a fantastical realm. However, he swiftly emphasizes that Cosm and Little Cinema aim to broaden their program beyond merely enhancing Hollywood productions. He describes this as both a goal and a belief system. “Every film, regardless of genre, has distinct characteristics,” he explains. “We’re passionate about horror, we’re passionate about comedy, and there’s potential for every movie to be optimized in our platform.” As of now, further projects have not been disclosed.

Cosm currently boasts a location in Dallas, while plans are underway for establishments in Atlanta and Detroit as well. Rinsky’s aspirations, naturally, involve Cosm achieving significant market presence, enabling filmmakers to develop their format entirely from scratch.

Rinsky expresses strong optimism regarding the new cinema: “I believe that within the next five to ten years, we could see as many as 100 of these cinemas spring up. When it reaches a critical mass, major film studios will likely produce films tailored for this specific format.

In these disruptive times for Hollywood, characterized by the emergence of streaming platforms and advancements in AI technology, Cosm presents an optimistic perspective on the future – one that doesn’t require either a red or blue pill to see. Instead, its view is tinted with a more hopeful rose-colored hue.

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2025-06-03 13:31

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