The Tribune

OSCAR-winning film director Ang Lee believes the new faster frames-per-second technology that makes for hyper-realistic action is worth trying again and will use it in his next project, the boxing movie “Thrilla in Manila”.

The Taiwanese-born American director shot “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” in 3D, 4K resolution, at 120 frames-per-second, five times the traditional 24 frames per second. The result is sometimes-jarring realism, with actors’ faces seen in unfiltered intimacy and background scenery so detailed it seemed artificial.

Lee, however, wants viewers to watch the film - about an American soldier’s public-relations tour after fighting in the Iraq war and which comes out in the US this week - with an open mind. “

I think it’s a lot to take in. I don’t think we should make up our mind yet because it’s something that just begin,” he said, noting the newness of the technology. “I think it’s a legitimately good format for artist expression.”

The faster format has other advocates. Peter Jackson tried at 48 frames-per-second with “The Hobbit” trilogy, and James Cameron has said he will use it in “Avatar” sequels.

“Thrilla in Manila” is a film scheduled for 2018 about the final fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the Philippines capital in 1975.

ANGELA CHEN

Associated Press