Star Wars Episode 2 IMAX experience

Since I knew I wouldn't buy the DVD--I didn't care for the first episode DVD either except for the informative documentary on 2nd disk, I decided to spend money on the IMAX version instead. It didn't mean I really dig the movie to see it again on the bigger screen, but I took it upon as my study to find out how a traditional Hollywood flick would translate to this medium. Here are my findings:

1. The very first thing you notice is the aspect ratio. IMAX is nearly akin to TV ratio, which is 4:3. It means traditional 35mm/70mm will be cropped to "fit" to IMAX aspect ratio and people wouldn't know at first because of overwhelming IMAX screen size. Once you are familiar with the medium, the difference becomes the most immediate. You are watching largest TV screen there are.
2. Because IMAX encompasses nearly all of human visual field, I found that it's requires different narrative conventions that are from regular cinema. Your eyes can see nearly everything at the regular cinemas at a quick glance, yet on IMAX, you have to actively turn you heads to see the things happening around the whole screen. It gets really hectic if there's a grand action scene like SW Episode 2 did at the end. This translate to the fact that selective focus/attention is crucial for IMAX film screen composition. That's why few IMAX films deviates from the center of frame and there aren't going to be IMAX narrative conventions exploiting this fact.
3. Converting regular films to IMAX is expensive proposition, even for George Lucas. That's why IMAX version of SW Episode 2 is a different edit, reminding me of the fiasco of Phantom Edit from the previous film. I'm not sure the exact involvement of Mr. Lucas with this edit--since he strongly believe editing room is where the film is really made, but I'm sure the cost factor mainly drove to edit out few scenes which tightening the film narrative. I think the film lost about 3-5 minutes counting a few scenes and losing some of the dialogues in few scenes. I doubt this will make out beyond IMAX theaters, but it's interesting and unexpected finding, no less.
4. Oh yes, bad acting stands out more on larger screen. There's no hiding THAT fact.

All in all, it was quite nice to watch the film again on the large screen. However, unlikes special edition of the first trilogy of Star Wars, this didn't make it anything special. Indeed, the magic is in the story, the characters, and the heart, not in technology.

p.s. The Episode 2 DVD was disappointing compare to the first. The 2nd disk entirely devoted to the technology of making the movie, instead of inner walls of ILM and get glimpse of the personal side of Mr. Lucas. The documentary felt very distanced, like the movie that came with it.