THX: Difference between revisions

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h48m41s229.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc, the THX website from 2003-2009 and the official THX YouTube channel

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{{YouTube|id=mk2l2j8brJQ}}

'''Trailer:''' We start with a black screen before the following white text fades in: "'''For the past 35 years, motion picture loudspeaker systems have not changed...'''" Later it fades out, and another white text appears reading "'''Lucasfilm Ltd. and this theatre are pleased to introduce a new motion picture sound system.'''" That text fades out, and after a few seconds, the letters "THX", underlined and which have the slightly taller "T" stem extend over the other two letters, appear in a glassy {{color|lightskyblue|sky blue}} color. The color fades in majestically with "LUCASFILM LTD." above it and "SOUND SYSTEM" below it, both in small text. It stays on screen for about 10 seconds, then slowly fades out with the text above and below the logo.

'''Legacy:''' The introduction of the infamous THX logo. It's a simple effort, but nonetheless a very effective one as well, mostly thanks to its musical soundtrack, the Deep Note. It is probably one of the most infamous movie sound marks in history, thanks to its often frightening nature for younger viewers.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h43m29s692.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

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{{YouTube|id=lFzYoZnApCk|id2=F8VdDvCZmLQ|id3=bzTHf4lf6Mk|id4=RPRqx5D4chA|id5=FLMLPuO_H8w|id6=xh-NuuIi_ts|id7=4aVMG4OBQog|id8=kJfoT01rzWQ|id9=JjyGQggQF6I|id10=MPh1t3YCMOI|id11=mdIXF89g4qI}}

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, we see a {{color|blue}} outline of a rectangle. The {{color|gray}} text "'''The Audience is Listening'''" (in the Archive Modern II Open font) fades inside the outline, then fades out. A few seconds later, the THX logo in {{color|silver}} appears, The blue rectangle outline fades out, and

The VHS and DVD variants of this logo are particularly infamous for its omnipresence on Disney releases from the era as well as other titles from Fox throughout the 90s and early-mid 00s.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h44m54s059.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

'''Note:''' The trailer in the third video starts at 0:31.

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, a small, white-outlined box containing a {{color|gray}} gradient background appears in the center of the screen. Then, the hand of a conductor, holding a baton, moves up in the box. The hand flicks the baton, blasting out a {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} "hyperspace" far larger than the box that slowly turns {{color|red}}. Once it fully changes color, a 3D THX logo zooms towards the viewer, against a {{color|firebrick|dark red}} abyss. Text reading "'''The Audience is Listening'''" then fades in, in the same font and color used in "Broadway"; followed by a subtitle reading "'''Lucasfilm Ltd. Sound System'''", along with a copyright notice at the bottom right of the screen.

'''Legacy:''' This is one of two logos that used a theme other than the original Deep Note, the other being "Grand" (the 4th logo). It proved to be unpopular among viewers. Andy Moorer, in an interview with Twenty Thousand Hertz, recalled that "Nobody liked [the sounds], nobody remembered them".<ref>Twenty Thousand Hertz, June 2018 (part 1 and part 2)</ref> The original version is infamous for both the reason it was recalled and for its extreme rarity. Various reconstructions have been made, and some audio had resurfaced, but no one was exactly sure what the original version sounded like beyond a general idea until video footage of the logo was uploaded in mid-February 2022. Nonetheless, this logo boasts some very impressive CGI for the time, and it's otherwise a very nicely done effort.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h45m56s705.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

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{{YouTube|id=bRLgS0I_sbI|id2=2sJYPlo7sjY|id3=u9idIJ_LMn0|id4=2rIK0l0lAIg|id5=wdq59Lc-HhM|id6=6mCdafzNSQRc}}

'''Trailer''': On a black background, we see some white text that reads "This auditorium is equipped with a THX sound system." A few seconds later, the background turns into a {{color|firebrick|dark red}} cloudy background. We see some white text that reads "The Audience Is Listening." After that, the red-black background slowly turns {{color|mediumblue|dark blue}}, somewhat similar to the previous background. Seconds after, a light with lens flares moves upward and a 90° turned THX logo rotates to its front in a {{color|blue}} gradient background, with "LUCASFILM LTD" over and "SOUND SYSTEM" below.

'''Legacy:''' The cloudy red background looks quite dated for the time, which is in sharp contrast to the beautiful silver CGI of the THX logo's grand appearance.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h46m17s138.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

<center>'''NOTE: The video on the left is the trailer as it originally appeared in the ''Simpsons'' episode "Burns' Heir." The video on the right is the reanimated version of the trailer.'''</center>

'''Trailer:''' We start in front of the fictional Springfield Aztec Theatre, complete with a film marquee with the text "SISKEL & EBERT: THE MOVIE" on it, with "TWO THUMBS UP" - SISKEL & EBERT" below it (a reference to the show ''At the Movies'', hosted by movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert). We then cut to many ''Simpsons'' characters appearing in theater seats, including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Abe (Grandpa) Simpson. The light dims and then brightens a bit. Then we cut to the movie screen, then a white screen with "THX" on it (not the same as the other trailers, obviously to avoid being sued) appears, with "SOUND SYSTEM" and "THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING" under it. The Deep Note shakes the theater/cinema, as we see several moviegoers including Hans Moleman coil back in their seats in fear, with Hans Moleman's glasses breaking in a close-up shot, and the man beside him having his teeth shatter in another close-up shot. Several more shots show an exit sign exploding, the ceiling beginning to crumble and fall, and a man's head even exploding (a reference to the horror film ''Scanners''). After the chaos ensues, we cut back to the screen as the audience cheers for the logo. The theatre screen fades to black and we then cut to Grandpa (voiced by Dan Castellaneta), presumably hard of hearing, who yells "Turn it up! TURN IT UP!".

'''Legacy:''' It's quite telling how THX liked this gag so much they turned it into an actual logo.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h46m38s856.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

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{{YouTube|id=PgZfQMmaR8g|id2=Y26tnj97XwQ|id3=8BTeDQxnkTI|id4=9QAUfr_L6TM|id5=T6jjOkUriSA|id6=T0fsXpXxgks|id7=dHS2RdHC1Fk|id8=XXeWHvF8HPw}}

'''Trailer:''' The THX logo fades in as it usually would. All of a sudden, the logo sputters and then breaks down as if due to an electrical failure. A light is switched on a {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} background as a {{color|red}} robot named Tex rolls in from off-camera. Tex opens a panel on the "X", grabs a rocket pack, and flies off-screen, pulling out a hammer just before he goes off-screen, muttering "Oh, George..." (referring to George Lucas). Tex hammers at something on the right side of the screen, drills at something on the left side and then flies over to the "T", bumps the "H" out of the way, and moves a large switch. The switch causes the logo to re-activate and complete its usual sequence with the "LUCASFILM LTD." and "SOUND SYSTEM" text as the background fades back to black. Tex realizes the door in the "X" is still open and kicks the logo, which shuts the door, causing a black screen to fall reading "The Audience Is Listening".

'''Legacy:''' This logo boasts very nice CGI for the time as well as a humorous and friendly atmosphere compared to other THX logos.

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File:THX (Moo Can, No Tex).png

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{{YouTube|id=XAgX4QEV9Ts|id2=rQ4vx0CqHMg|id3=U7O56eAr2mY|id4=PhJsHd4mwmk|id5=w6ZABZItUs4|id6=m_52sWvKNfs}}<center></center>

'''Trailer:''' We see a {{color|gray}}, lifeless THX logo. Tex the robot, from the previous trailer, drops down from the top of the screen. He has a can in his hand which has a picture of a cow on a field and says "moo" (which is in a bubble cloud, as if the cow were saying it), and he holds it closer to show us. He flips it over, realizing the can is empty, and shrugs. He flies to the THX logo in the background, opens a hatch in the X, and then pulls out a cable from it. He then returns with the "moo can" and holds the cable up with his opposite hand, revealing it to have a plug, and plugs it into the can. Tex looks around for a few seconds as we hear the sound of cows mooing. Then, the THX logo turns {{color|silver}} and starts to rise up from the middle of the screen to its usual position nearly at the top and shines. Tex smiles and nods when suddenly the THX logo begins to rumble and shake. Tex sees this, jumps back in surprise, and he nervously flies off with the can and the plug. The THX logo jolts to its left side for a moment before going back to its normal position. The cable is pulled back into the logo, the hatch closes, and like the last trailer, the black screen with the text "The Audience is Listening" and a copyright info under it falls to the screen.

'''Legacy:''' Like the last logo, this is another funny and nicely animated THX effort.

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File:Vlcsnap-2022-04-05-01h50m50s749.png|The logo as it appears on The THX Ultimate Demo Disc

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{{YouTube|id=Pa1oIabBXHc}}

'''Trailer:''' We see a pitch-black screen (à la the 1983 "Broadway" trailer), then we see the text "Let's see it in" appearing in separate words zooming in the center of the screen. Then we see the THX logo with the Lucasfilm Ltd. notice at the top of THX. The logo shines and we fade-out.

'''Availability:''' Rare. Seen in THX theaters at the time. Although the THX Ultimate Demo Disc claims the trailer debuted in late 1999, this trailer did indeed debut on ''Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'' in May 1999. This also appears on ''The Adventures of Indiana Jones'' (2003 release only), ''The THX Ultimate Demo Disc'' and the ''Lucasfilm THX Surround EX Demonstration Disc''. Don't expect this to be seen on any Disney DVDs, however.

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File:GW217H120.jpg|Natural

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{{YouTube|id=_s-6pSdoctI|id2=Ag5H0D-FSXg|id3=nO0BFM-ZOrk|id4=Ui8k1Ao8q50}}

'''Trailer:''' In a darkly-lit environment, we zoom in toward a glassy {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} sphere, which has clouds rolling and lightning flickering. As the environment illuminates, we see that the sphere is barely hovering over a textured {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} floor. Suddenly, the sphere shatters, and the sky is revealed to contain several rolling {{color|gray}} clouds. The glass then liquefies and gathers in the center. Some lightning strikes it and forms a {{color|silver}} THX logo. If you look closely while the logo forms, you can see rain pouring down. Then, the environment fades to black as "LUCASFILM", spaced out to fit the width of the THX logo, fades in on top of it and a shimmering {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} rectangle (the same one from "Broadway") is drawn clockwise around the logo (like a laser). The logo fades out as the text "Digitally Mastered for Optimal Audio and Video Performance" (à la Broadway) fades in.

'''Legacy:''' This logo has a dark atmosphere, but also has very incredible CGI all around and helps assert THX's power as a brand.

[[File:GW344H194.png|center|400px|The logo]]

{{YouTube|id=z2lxSxL5eLI}}

'''Trailer:''' The THX logo starts up like any other, but just as the Deep Note is about to get loud, the logo suddenly crashes down revealing Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) creating the Deep Note with many instruments. The two look at the screen (with Donkey also nervously saying "Uh-oh..."), before looking at each other and smiling awkwardly as they raise the logo (apparently made out of wood) back up. The Deep Note starts again (albeit less loud than before) and the logo shimmers in {{color|limegreen|green}} from left to right. While the Deep Note is playing, Donkey comes out and plays the kazoo over the last few seconds. Shrek whispers "Donkey!" at him, and as Donkey mutters "Okay, okay! Chill, Shrek..." the two walk off-screen. The screen fades to black as the words "illuminate your senses" fade in on the top and shine, a smaller THX Certified Cinema logo in the middle, and copyright info on the bottom.

'''Availability:''' Extinct. It was supposed to premiere on November 2, 2001 before ''Monsters, Inc.,'' but was pulled at the last second. It was theorized that Disney threatened to end its relationship with THX over the trailer since ''Shrek''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s DVD release date was the same day that ''Monsters, Inc.'' opened in theaters (which Disney denied), but THX themselves stated it was due to not wanting to be associated with a specific film. It eventually debuted in 2006 online.<!--Extra verification for Shrek 3 promotion needed--> According to the BBFC website<ref>https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/shrek-the-third-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zndgynjm</ref>, the trailer was shown in UK cinemas alongside ''Shrek the Third'' in 2007 (and possibly other films as well), and it was later uploaded to the company's YouTube channel.

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File:GW342H193.png

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{{YouTube|id=s2vkEYRrjeE}}

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, we see out-of-focus movie clips on a THX logo. Some of these clips include ''Star Wars: Episode I'', ''Alien'' and ''Jurassic Park''. The logo then starts to shine as the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} outline from the Broadway trailer appears around the screen and the words "CERTIFIED CINEMA" appear under the THX logo. Everything except the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} outline fades out and is replaced by the THX website URL on the top, copyright notices on the bottom and the phrase "20 Years of Making Great Movies Come Alive."

'''Legacy:''' Even if it didn't last for more than a year, this trailer was quite unique compared to other THX trailers, featuring clips and sound effects from various movies.

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File:THX_Science_(Certified_Cinema).png

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{{YouTube|id=UD3BKOxhpHs|id2=QsyQ4gSW7eg|id3=4_nGnBS1xNE|id4=Z4tFjmYeQl4|id5=IgYgcKrtgF4|id6=mKulXsMOxKs}}

'''Trailer:''' We first see a pitch-black screen, but then we see the words "THE SCIENCE OF SENSATION" (in capital letters) coming at us each two words at a time (like the "Broadway 2000" trailer) and as a {{color|purple}} flare appears under the 'O', the words suddenly fade out by spreading apart. Then, the THX logo and the text "CERTIFIED CINEMA" appears, with a faint shine where the 'O' used to be. The logo shines with a flare coming down on the "T". WWW.THX.COM and the copyright at the bottom appear.

'''Legacy:''' On home media releases, it could catch people off-guard the first time if they were expecting the DVD version of the Broadway trailer thanks to the unsettling nature of the trailer. That said, it's one of the more unimpressive THX logos out there.

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File:Ziegfield.png

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{{YouTube|id=dl0eNYWXw74|id2=7u00PUXUr74}}

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, we see the metallic outlines of the THX logo fade in. Then the shiny {{color|silver}} color fades inside the THX logo. The THX logo glows and makes a big shine with some sparkles. Then below the THX logo is the disclaimer: "THX and the THX logo are trademarks of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All Rights Reserved."

'''Availability:''' Rare. Can be seen on ''THX Demo Disc II'', in HD on the games ''NBA 08'' and ''MLB 07: The Show'' (PS2 and PS3), ''The Bourne Conspiracy'', and whenever you start up a THX-Certified TiVo. The alternate HD variant seen on a promotional disc on the HD-DVD side for the French HD-DVD release of ''Pan's Labyrinth (Le Labyrinthe de Pan)'' (also in SD on the DVD side), the Japanese DVD of [https://youtu.be/BDchaG0jJDM ''I Just Didn't Do It''] (それでもボクはやってない), the French DVDs of ''L'Ennemi Intime'' (hidden in title 7) and ''Shine a Light'' (hidden in title 13), as well as the French (2-disc) DVD of ''Hot Fuzz''.

[[File:GW418H181.png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=aLQxLO93OAI|id2=YXzWiXIUKgs|id3=YUmgzD_MC2s|id4=AGhuKJaCyA4}}

'''Legacy:''' As with the 6th and 7th trailers, this is yet another humorous effort from THX. However, the way the car boots up and the close-up of the car could also be jarring to viewers. It is a shame, though, that this was short-lived.

[[File:GW327H184.png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=Rofpx5SZZRY|id2=Nod_G0UMRLY}}

'''Trailer:''' We start out with an octagon shape figure rising out of a {{color|silver}} surface (à la a ripple effect), and forms into another figure, which looks like petals from a flower (in fact is a {{color|steelblue|blue}} passion flower) because we're looking at it from the top. Inside the "flower" is a crown shape figure that has wings on top of it, slowly spinning around, producing the held organ note sound, as we zoom in on it. Then, the scene changes. We now see another set of wings that also spin around, but faster. A ring is spinning around with it and goes down towards the bottom of the screen, producing the buzzer. And the scene changes again. The same set of wings from the first scene is shown, once again spinning slowly, with shades seen on the left side of the screen. As the scene changes again, a tulip is seen zooming in towards us as it opens up its front, producing the deep brass sound. Then we zoom in on a mushroom as it bumps up a bit and makes drum beats. Then a set of butterflies fly by (with some stopping in the front center of the screen), producing some flapping sound, we see the flowerhead-like plant with dragonfly wings as petals, it pushes one-by-one clockwise, making dolphin chirping sounds, then we see a lotus seed head opening and closing its holes as it makes a melody played on a glockenspiel. Intact with the drumbeats of the jingle, we see a variety of mushrooms as they "beat" and bump up the drumbeats, and then the scene changes to swirly-like circles that vibrate, as we zoom from one to another, making the bass horn stab. We zoom into another tulip, making another deep brass sound, and suddenly, we fly over all of the above-mentioned items. As the camera tilts toward the front and zooms back, we see that the plant-covered structure is actually the THX logo. The plants then retract back, revealing the silver color of the logo; this version looks slightly (but also noticeably) different than the other trailers of the past. The logo zooms back as the copyright info fades in on the bottom.

'''Legacy:''' A creative and beautiful effort from THX, thanks to the animation and the music.

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GW241H138.jpg

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{{YouTube|id=Pj91jr44L_o}}

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, we see this odd speck that talks in a familiar voice to Horton (from ''Horton Hears a Who''; voiced by Jim Carrey). It turns out to be Mayor Ned McDodd (voiced by Steve Carell), the mayor of Whoville, trying to hear him.

'''Availability:''' Extinct. It was only seen in THX theaters to help promote ''Horton Hears a Who!''. Also seen on the THX website.

[[File:GW250H150.jpg|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=8GDwy0LdiX8}}

'''Availability:''' Rare. Can be found on the ''THX Calibrator'' disc, 3D movies in cinemas and 3D Blu-ray releases, like the 3D Blu-ray of ''Avatar'' (to date, the very last certified THX home media release with logos on it) and the theatrical premiere of ''Tron: Legacy''.

[[File:Download (1, THX).png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=uZBYOFrC6xI}}

'''Availability:''' Extinct. It was a prototype logo that was found on THX's website for a short time.

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File:GW425H178.png

{{YouTube|id=sPY3Y2qhyXk|id2=2knpiDvxx5w}}

{{Noise Warning}}

'''Trailer:''' We start off in a shooting starfield. Then, a large black eclipse fades in, glows, and spins. Then, many shiny white/black sticks and veins appear all over the eclipse, representing the iris of the human eye, and we zoom further into it as the sticks and veins move around and form in different ways. Suddenly, a large shock wave appears in the middle and we zoom through it, revealing the THX logo, which is black and has a dark shine on it. The text "see you on the other side" wipes in underneath the THX logo.

'''Variants:'''

* There's an even longer 60-second version, which is preceded by a "Warren Cinemas presents" card. It is similar to the 45-second version, except much slower.

* A 4K resolution version exists.

'''Legacy:''' The logo gained infamy for the much louder Deep Note, and thus is sometimes thought to be the scariest THX trailer of them all due to this (especially the Warren Cinemas variant).

[[File:Download (2).png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=9-UtmVaSbwA}}

'''Trailer:''' On a black background, the phrase "The Audience is Listening" fades in. It disappears by sliding to the right. The background becomes a {{color|cadetblue|bluish green}} gradient. A black line with {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} marks slides to the right of the screen and starts to gently shake. It becomes liquid and breaks up into small circles. We zoom through the liquid. Multiple grouped lines start swirling around in a circular motion, then forms into a 4-layered sphere, hence the nickname. A {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} glow surrounds the sphere. It becomes liquid and opens up, revealing blue electric lines. It later explodes to fill the background with black, then zooms out in the form of the THX logo. It later fills up with metallic material, making it look normal. Some of the {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} lines remain, then later disappear completely. Finally, two copyright notices appear:

'''Availability:''' Unknown. First seen on the Human Workshop website. It's currently unknown if this trailer has been used in other places as of this writing.

[[File:THX_Genesis.png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=QYU8zydUqD8}}

'''Legacy:''' This is a great trailer by THX, thanks to the CGI and the references to previous trailers, such as the "Amazing Life" plants and the appearance of Tex.

[[File:THX_Tex_vs_the_Robot.png|center|400px]]

{{YouTube|id=7P3ez0m9DAs}}

'''Trailer:''' In a glassy room in the same spaceship from the "Genesis" trailer Tex and a drone named Bob attempt to place an orb in a socket, in front of a window with a floating THX logo in the background. When Tex tries inserting the orb the first time, the THX logo flashes a little, and the orb pops out of the socket. When Tex is distracted trying to fix a small door that has somehow opened, Bob starts playing with the orb like a basketball right before Tex tries to grab it. Tex is about to place the orb into the socket, but notices Bob is visibly sad. They compromise and Tex lets the drone slam dunk the orb into the socket, which causes the THX logo to power up and light up. Both robots move to the side as the camera zooms up to the THX logo, They then fist pump. we fade to the THX print logo, the text "SPATIAL AUDIO" fades underneath it.