THX: Difference between revisions

'''Trivia:''' The names for some of the early THX trailers given by Lucasfilm derive from the earliest Oscar-winning pictures, like ''Wings'', ''Cavalcade'', and ''Cimarron''.

'''Availability:''' This only appeared on the theatrical premiere of ''Return of the Jedi'' in theaters in Dallas and Hollywood, and was never used on THX-certified video releases. However, it can still be seen on select Demo DVDs and at THX's website (plus their official Vimeo and YouTube). The alternate variant appears on one of the ''Return of the Jedi'' featurettes made exclusively for the ''Star Wars Trilogy: The Definitive Collection'' LaserDisc set.

* On the <u>1997 Mexican VHS releases of the ''Star Wars'' films ''A New Hope'', ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''</u>, the "{{Font|Arial|Digitally mastered for optimal video and audio performance}}" text is translated in Spanish, reading: '''<center>{{Font|Arial|Masterizada digitalmente para una <br>óptima reproducción de audio y video</br>}}</center>''' The latter two films have slight differences, with ''The Empire Strikes Back'' having the words "{{font|Arial|'''óptima'''}}" and "{{font|arial|'''reproducción'''}}" switched, and ''Return of the Jedi'' having a period at the end of the sentence.

* 1990-2002: A new orchestral piece composed by James Horner. The trailer still begins with an orchestra warming up, but the loud descending note following the conductor flicking his baton is replaced with a rousing orchestral cue; whistling sounds accompany the hyperspeed boost as the cue reaches a crescendo before abruptly fading out. As the THX logo appears, a slightly quieter series of ascending string notes is heard, representing the Deep Note; twinkling sounds were also heard as well as a loud whoosh accompanying the THX logo zooming in. Afterwards, there is a low-pitched bell, segueing into an ending consisting of quiet strings/twinkling sounds (not unlike the original mix's ending), to accompany the appearance of the "The Audience is Listening" text.  

{{YouTube|id=bRLgS0I_sbI|id2=2sJYPlo7sjY|id3=u9idIJ_LMn0}}

'''Availability:''' Alongside [[DTS]]'s "Stand Alone" trailer, this debuted on the original theatrical release of ''Jurassic Park'' (according to the 1998 Lucasfilm THX "The Audience is Listening on DVD" disc and the THX Ultimate Demo Disc), and then it was seen in all THX-certified theaters from 1993 until 1997, as well as online, on the DVDs that came with second-edition and third-edition copies of the book ''DVD Demystified'' by Jim Taylor and on the 2002 Fox Five-Star Collection DVD release of ''Speed''. The "DELL PC" version is exclusive to the ''THX Picture and Sound Optimizer'' disc. The DTS version was only being used on early DTS films such as the aforementioned ''Jurassic Park''; and it took until May 2022 for this variant to be discovered.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the familiar rectangle from the Brodway trailer fades in. It then crossfades to the 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 ''Siskel & Ebert'' [later ''At the Movies''], hosted by movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert). The screen then cuts to many ''Simpsons'' characters in theater seats, including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Abe (Grampa) Simpson. The light dims and then brightens a bit. Then it cuts to the movie screen, then a white screen with "THX" on it (not the same as the other trailers, obviously to avoid any legal trouble) appears, with "SOUND SYSTEM" and "THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING" under it. The Deep Note shakes the theater/cinema, as several moviegoers show up including Hans Moleman coil back in their seats. Chaos then ensues, with Moleman's glasses breaking, another man having his teeth shatter in a close-up shot, an exit sign exploding, the ceiling beginning to crumble and fall, and a man's head exploding (a reference to the 1981 horror film ''Scanners''). After the chaos, the screen cuts back to the screen as the audience cheers for the logo. The theatre screen fades to black and the screen then cuts to Grampa (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) who, presumably hard of hearing, yells "Turn it up! TURN IT UP!".

'''Variant:''' Compared to the scene from the original episode, the pacing of the trailer is a bit slower to fit in with the full version of the Deep Note. The colors are also more vivid, and the animation is more detailed and slightly less rough. Despite now being an official trailer, this version retains the legally distinct logo from the original scene.

'''Technique:''' Cel animation by [[Film Roman]], with Anivision helping with the reanimated variant. The show, however, was produced by [[Gracie Films]] and [[20th Century Fox Television (1994-2020)|20th Century Fox Television]] (later known as [[20th Television]], then later under their animation division, [[20th Television Animation]]).

'''Audio:''' The atmosphere, Grampa's dialogue, and the Deep Note. In the original scene, car horns are heard before the Deep Note.

'''Availability:''' This was originally a gag scene from ''The Simpsons'' episode "Burns' Heir" (which originally aired on April 14, 1994), but THX executives liked the parody so much that they asked to use the scene as an official trailer.

*This trailer was originally released in Dolby A, but it was later released as a single inventory print with Dolby Digital, DTS and SDDS in 1996.

* The video game <u>''Lair'' for PS3</u> uses the same variant from 2005 until the logo finishes, the creatures from the game run under the URL for THX (www.THX.com), and this trailer immediately segues into the Factor 5 logo. During said Factor 5 logo, the last "Moo" sound can still be heard.

'''Audio:''' Same as the previous trailer, except the Deep Note is replaced by cows mooing it (if one listens carefully, a high-pitched voice is heard towards the end of the mooing, which sounds like someone yelling "STOP!" before the sound of rumbling and cracking). The sound design is by Gary Rydstrom and Marco d'Ambrosio (who did the cow chord) according to ''The THX Ultimate Demo Disc''. A variant of the Monster THX logo (website intro only) uses some electrical sounds from the ''Terminator 2'' THX trailer, of which Gary Rydstrom also did the sound design. Like the previous two logos, prints existed in all three digital sound formats.

'''Availability:''' Seen in THX-certified theaters for some time, though for how long remains a mystery. It debuted likely in front of ''Alien Resurrection'', as the logo debuted on Thanksgiving weekend (in the U.S.) of that year according to several THX demo discs. The Lucasfilm byline variant can be seen on various THX-certified DVDs from 2000 to 2005, mostly on films from Pixar (such as ''Toy Story 2'', ''Monsters, Inc.'', ''Toy Story 10th Anniversary Edition'', and ''Finding Nemo'') and Fox (such as ''Speed 2'' and ''The Day The Earth Stood Still''), as well as THX Demo discs, the DVDs that came with second-edition and third-edition copies of the book ''DVD Demystified'' by Jim Taylor, and even the VHS of ''Monsters, Inc.'', although Disney Channel's original print of the film plastered this with the VHS version of Broadway instead, possibly due to time compression. The remastered variant without a Lucasfilm byline debuted in the US on ''Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two'' on December 6, 2005. (internationally, it debuted on ''Toy Story 2 Special Edition'' on November 28, 2005) A variant is also on the ''Lair'' video game for PS3. This was also seen online as well. This trailer also appears in the Pixar employees only ''Made in Point Richmond'' DVD along with the Tex logo. It was also seen on the French (2 disc) Ultimate Edition DVD release of ''The Transporter (Le Transporteur)'' and the Japanese DVD releases of ''Waterboys (ウォーターボーイズ)'', ''Check it Out, Yo!! (チェケラッチョ!!)'', and ''Swing Girls (スウィングガールズ)''.

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

'''Availability:''' Seen in THX-certified 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''.

'''Availability:''' The ''T2'' version was first seen on the ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' "Ultimate Edition" DVD, released on August 29, 2000, with the regular version appearing in most THX-certified theaters starting on May 25, 2001 with ''Pearl Harbor''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020802072052/http://marcoco.com:80/index2.html</ref> Seen on several THX DVDs, such as ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace,'' ''Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones,'' ''Alien Quadrilogy'', ''From Hell'', ''Re-Animator'', ''La Mentale'', ''36th Precinct (36 Quai des Orfèvres)'', ''The Incredibles'', ''Bayside Shakedown 2'', ''THX 1138'' (fittingly enough), the 2004 ''Star Wars Trilogy'' DVD set, and ''X-Men 1.5''; in THX-certified theaters, and on the video games ''NBA 09: The Inside'', ''MLB 08: The Show'', and ''MLB 09: The Show''. It's also the intro to the menu of ''The THX Ultimate Demo Disc''. The final appearance of the Lucasfilm byline variant was ''Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One'', released on March 22, 2005, and the remastered variant with the THX website URL but no Lucasfilm byline appears on the French DVD releases of ''Ghost Rider'' and ''L'Ennemi Intime'', as well as most THX certified DVDs released by Wild Side Video, and even the HD DVD release of ''Pan's Labyrinth (Le Labyrinthe de Pan)''.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background is 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."

Sound Design was by Gary Rydstrom and Steve Boeddeker of Skywalker Sound.

* A <u>4:3 version</u> is used on full-screen DVDs and on the international VHS releases of ''Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'', which simply shows "CERTIFIED" under THX.

* <u>Certified DVDs</u> show "CERTIFIED DVD" under THX.

'''Availability:''' After the logo first appeared to THX newsletter subscribers on May 11, 2005, it officially premiered on the theatrical release of ''Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'' due to it being an all-digital production, and seen in some theaters for some time after.

*The game variant appeared on ''Jak X: Combat Racing'', ''NBA 07'' (PS3 only), ''Scarface: The World is Yours'', ''MLB 06: The Show'', and ''MAG'' (at an even more abridged pace).

'''Visuals:''' On a black background is 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."

* On the PS3 game ''<u>Warhawk</u>'', the logo is still and doesn't feature the disclaimer at all.  

'''Audio:''' The -1.5/low-pitched Deep Note from "Tex" and "Broadway" (DVD variant) trailers. None for the still variant.

'''Availability:''' 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 a THX-Certified TiVo is turned on. 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''.

'''Visuals:''' The THX logo starts up as normal, but just as the Deep Note starts to intensify, the logo suddenly falls down revealing Shrek and Donkey (voiced by Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy respectively) creating the Deep Note with a wind chime, an xylophone, a bagpipe, a kazoo and an accordion. The two realize they've been exposed, before looking at each other and smiling awkwardly as Shrek raises the logo (which is apparently a cardboard cut-out) 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 at him, and 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:''' This was initially supposed to premiere on November 2, 2001, the date of ''Shrek''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s home video release, but was pulled at the last second. It was theorized that Disney threatened to cut ties with THX over the trailer since this was the same day their film ''Monsters, Inc.'' opened in theaters (Disney has denied this), but THX themselves stated it was due to not wanting to be associated with a specific film. It eventually debuted online in 2006 to promote ''Shrek the Third''<ref>https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/shrek-the-third-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zndgynjm</ref>, with the trailer also appearing on the film itself theatrically in UK cinemas (and possibly other films). It was later uploaded to the company's YouTube channel as well.

'''Variant:''' On the <u>2008 DVD of ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull''</u> (and the 2008 DVD reprints of the other three ''Indiana Jones'' films), the Japanese BD of ''The Magic Hour'', and the ''Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy'', this logo is formatted in 2.35:1 as compared to most other releases (2008 BD of ''Crystal Skull'', ''Avatar'', etc.) containing the trailer in 1.78:1.

'''Availability:''' Seen in most THX-certified theaters starting in late November 2007, and THX DVDs/Blu-rays from 2008-2012 such as ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'', ''The Magic Hour'' (ザ・マジックアワー) (Japan only), ''Shine a Light'' (France only), ''Outlander: Le Dernier Viking'' (Outlander) (France only), ''Largo Winch'' (France only), ''Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection'' (2008 reprints of the 2003 DVDs originally containing Broadway 2000, as well as the first home release to feature this trailer), and the 2008 BD of ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull''. On ''Avatar'', ''Red Tails'', and ''Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy'' (Blu-ray only), it appears at the end. It was also seen online as well. Also seen at the end of the THX Optimizer video on THX-certified TiVo DVRs, which are no longer manufactured as of 2013.

Then, the mayor says, "Kinda losing you...", causing Horton to drop the THX logo, and he appears while shouting "How about this?! If I get up real close, can you read me?!" knocking the mayor off-screen, then followed by the Deep Note. Horton then turns to the audience laughing, winks, and then goes off-screen. The THX logo shines as usual. Then the screen transitions to a message reading "THE AUDIENCE IS '''HEAR'''ING" (spoofing the "The Audience is Listening" motto, with "HEAR" in the same font as the movie). On the side of the screen is the mayor peek out of the side of the screen, with his clothes blowing.

'''Audio:''' The characters talking, sound effects corresponding to the animation, and the 2005 Deep Note (if one listens closely).

'''Availability:''' 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''.