Background[]
THX is a motion picture quality certification system (despite being branded as a "sound system" until 1997) founded by Tomlinson Holman and George Lucas in 1982 (in turn was then-owned by Lucasfilm Ltd. until 2002, when spun-off in its present-day company, THX Ltd. It's now owned by Creative Labs), named after the first film Lucas directed, THX 1138. The THX system was created and debuted for the theatrical release of "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi". And later appears on the VHS release of most 20th Century Fox movies and the earliest DVD releases later on in 2002. THX is officially short for "Tomlinson Holman's EXperiment". THX has provided certified VHS, DVD, LaserDisc, and Blu-ray (and HD-DVD; Brave Story only) films from major studios such as Buena Vista/Walt Disney Pictures/Touchstone Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, WGBH, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Searchlight Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Pioneer LDC, also when this was seen in theaters. They also certify video games, Dell PCs, TiVo Boxes, and other home theater equipment as well.
THX Tex2- Moo Can
THX 2ND LOGO
Logos[]
1st logo (1983)[]
It starts 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 new white text appears reading "Lucasfilm, Ltd. and this theatre are pleased to introduce a new motion picture sound system." That text fades out and they wait for a while and the letters "THX", underlined and which have the slightly taller "T" stem extend over the other two letters, appear in a glassy sky blue color withwith a bit of water. 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.
2nd logo (1984-2008)[]
On a black background, there is a blue outline of a rectangle. The gray text "The Audience is Listening" fades inside the outline, then fades out. A few seconds later, the THX logo in silver appears, the blue rectangle outline fades out, and
LUCASFILM LTD.
SOUND SYSTEM
appears above and below, respectively. The THX logo shines.
Variants[]
Throughout the years, this trailer had many different variants:
- 1995 A: The audio was remixed digitally by Dolby Digital and DTS with then-new technology.
- 1995 B: Probably the most recognizable THX trailer variant. It was exclusive to home video releases and revised a bit more. The gray text reading "The Audience is Listening" is replaced with "Digitally mastered for optimal video and audio performance" in Arial font in white and arranged in the center of the outline. That text appears longer than the regular version, and "DIGITALLY" appears above the THX logo and "MASTERED" appears below that logo. Those texts fade in with the THX logo instead of appearing after the blue outline disappears, and they sparkle while the THX logo shines.
- 1995 C: Both the audio and the trailer is shorter than the standard theatrical version. The audio (in this, and both 1995 A & B variants) is also in +2 higher (on VHS & LD; +3 on PAL releases), or sometimes -1.5 lower on DVDs.
- On LaserDisc releases from THX, the blue rectangle appears as usual, but with a difference: the message reads "Mastered and Duplicated for Optimal Audio and Video Performance" in Arial Narrow font. When the THX logo appears, [LASER I/ DISC] appears under THX. The logo shines after the blue rectangle fades out. The pitch is +2 pitches higher (E note), like the VHS variant.
- From 1997-2006, an alternate version appeared where the original text above (and above only) the THX logo was "LUCASFILM LTD." This appeared only on Buena Vista releases until it was officially replaced with the "DIGITALLY MASTERED" (as described above) text when Lucasfilm Ltd. spin-off THX into its present-day company.
- For the Dell PC's THX Picture and Sound Optimizer disc, "The Audience is Listening" tagline is replaced with "Your Dell PC is THX Certified". "Dell" is in its usual font. "SOUND SYSTEM" is replaced with "BEST PICTURE. BEST SOUND." Afterwards, the URL www.thx.com is seen with the trademark and a disclaimer at the bottom.
- 2010: The trailer is remastered, or recreated, in high definition. The blue rectangle is wider and glows, "The Audience Is Listening" text is in a white Imprint shadow font and the THX logo glows and shines slowly. Below is a THX Ltd. copyright notice.
- 2010 A: "The Audience is Listening" text is replaced with "Digitally mastered for superior sound and picture quality," in the same Arial font (a la 1995 B). Debuted on home entertainment releases starting with Star Wars: The Original Trilogy Blu-ray.
- On the Apollo 13 DTS LaserDisc, the Deep Note on the THX LaserDisc logo is the -1.5 pitch Deep Note like the DVD and Tex.
- On some LaserDisc prints of the Stargate Widescreen AC-3 and Species, the Deep Note on the THX LaserDisc logo is a short version of the 1983 Deep Note (blending in with the fade out of Dolby Digital Train), though other prints use the +2 pitch Deep Note.
- On the 1994 LaserDisc of Night of the Living Dead, the Elite Entertainment logo fades to the THX LaserDisc logo.
- The 2000 UK DVD of Aliens (1986) has the +1 PAL pitch version of the -1.5 DVD Deep Note. It was recently spotted.
3rd logo (1988-2002)[]
A small gray box appears in the center of the camera. Then, the hand of a conductor, holding a baton, moves up in the box. The hand flicks the baton, blasting out a blue wormhole. It turns red, and when it fully turns red, there is a 3-D THX logo zooms towards the camera against a black screen with red dots. Then, there is some text saying "The Audience is Listening" in the same font and color used in "Broadway". A few seconds, a subtitle reading "Lucasfilm, Ltd. Sound System" fades in too.
Variants[]
- This trailer was remixed in Dolby Digital in 1995. This variant had new changes. At the start, text fades in reading "Dolby Digital Sound in a THX Theatre," and at the end the Recorded in Dolby Digital logo was added at the left-bottom of the screen.
- On Laserdisc releases starting with Twister, the words "Mastered and duplicated for optimal audio and video performance" fades with the red dots. Then, it fades to the 3-D THX logo. Once it's finished zooming, the THX Laserdisc logo from "Broadway" fades and zooms inside the silver outlined rectangle. The THX Laserdisc logo and the silver outlined rectangle shine. This was used until 2002.
4th logo (1989-1999)[]
On a black background, there is some white text that reads "This auditorium is equipped with a THX sound system." A few seconds later, the background turns into a red-black cloudy background. There is some white text that reads "The Audience Is Listening." After that, the red-black background turns slowly turns 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 blue-black gradient background, with "LUCASFILM LTD" over and "SOUND SYSTEM" below.
Variants[]
- The 2001 Fox Five-Star Collection DVD of 'Speed replaces "The Audience Is Listening" text with "Best Picture. Best Sound. You're watching a THX Certified Feature." and "SOUND SYSTEM" with "BEST PICTURE. BEST SOUND." appearing below the logo at the end.
- The Dell PC DVD version replaces "The Audience Is Listening" with "Your Dell PC is THX Certified." and "SOUND SYSTEM" with "BEST PICTURE. BEST SOUND." "Dell" is in its usual font and the www.thx.com url appears at the end with a copyright notice.
- OnThe THX Ultimate Demo Disc (the THX Ultra 2 and THX story featurettes), a digital 4:3 version of this trailer can be spotted.
5th logo (1990, 1996-1997; 2001-2007)[]
There is a film marquee with the text "SISKEL & EBERT: THE MOVIE" on it, with ""TWO THUMBS UP" - SISKEL & EBERT" below it. They then cut to many Simpsons characters appearing in theater seats. The light dims, and then brightens a bit. Then they 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 sound shakes the theater/cinema, propelling people backwards, breaking glasses and teeth, blowing up an exit sign, crumbling the ceiling and even a man's head. After the chaos ensues, they cut back to the screen as the audience cheers for the logo. They then cut to Grandpa, who yells "Turn it up! TURN IT UP!".
6th logo (January 15, 1992-2009)[]
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 power outage. A light is switched on as a 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 and moves a large lever. The lever causes the logo to re-activate and complete its usual sequence with the "LUCASFILM LTD." and "SOUND SYSTEM" text. 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".
Variants[]
- On DVD and/or LaserDisc releases, the messages from the Broadway Trailer, which are "Digitally Mastered for Optimal Audio and Video Performance", or "Mastered and Duplicated for Optimal Video and Audio Performance" appears without the blue rectangle outline. Then, the animation plays as usual.
- Between 1996 and 1997, the "sound system" title appears under THX (as well as Lucasfilm Ltd. on the top). After 1997 the "sound system" name was removed.
- There is a rare extended version in which after Tex drills something he starts to saw, then hits a hard object and yells "Ow!", muttering afterward. The rest of the trailer plays like normal. This only appears on Fox Demo Disc #1, Side B of the North American DVD release of Alvin & The Chipmunks, and Disc 2 of the North American DVD release of Finding Nemo.
- On the THX Vimeo page and DVD releases such as Toy Story 2 Special Edition, the black screen that reads "The Audience is Listening." is replaced with the THX website URL. The "LUCASFILM LTD." and "SOUND SYSTEM" text are absent.
- On the Toy Story CAV laserdisc, the only LD release to use this trailer, [ LASER I/ DISC ] from the Broadway Laserdisc trailer shines under THX. The "Mastered and Duplicated" message appears prior to THX appearing. The DTS and standard Dolby Laserdiscs of Toy Story just use the "Broadway" trailer.
- A "Dell PC" version exists.
- A rare version with the words "Digitally Mastered" is said to exist.
7th logo (January 15, 1997-2011)[]
There is Tex the robot from the previous trailer, as he appears out of nowhere right in front of us. 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 the only way they see it is that Tex zooms it up towards us closer. He takes it back, and turns it upside down, and dips it, realizing the can is empty. After flipping it right side up again, Tex gives us a "one minute" signal. He flies to a lifeless THX logo, opens a hatch, and then pulls some sort of cable from it. He then returns with the "moo can". This time, however, the cable is revealed to be a power plug in his opposite hand, and plugs it into the can. After that, they hear the sound of cows mooing, and, beside that, the THX logo appears sliding up from the middle of the screen to nearly the top. Tex points to the text, but suddenly the THX logo begins to rumble and shake. Tex sees this, and he nervously flies off with the can and the plug. The THX logo jolts to the left side for a moment before going back to its normal position, and 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" falls to the screen.
Variants[]
- Most of the time, the THX logo is already seen at the very beginning of the trailer before the animation begins, which means that, in this variant, Tex is basically doing all of his animation right in front of the logo. On a few alternate occasions between 1997 and March 2009, the Lucasfilm Ltd. name was seen on top of THX; then the screen falls as usual, but replaces "The Audience Is Listening" with "The Best Sound, The Best Picture. You're Watching a THX Certified Feature." (as seen in the "Grand" trailer).
- In 2009, when Monster joined THX, the trailer became slightly updated/extended. When Tex gets the cord, the camera zooms in to reveal a Monster HDMI cable. When he plugs it in, the graphics on the moo can change it into a Monster Moo Can. "Monster" in 3-D font fades and slides up to the top at the same time as the THX logo. When the THX logo rumbles, the Monster logo rumbles and the black screen shows the THX Monster logo in white and the THX Monster trademark in white.
- A "Dell PC" version exists.
- The video game Lair for PS3 has a special variant. After the logo finishes, the creatures from the game run under the URL for THX (www.THX.com). The last "Moo" sound can still be heard, except it is heard in reverse.
8th logo (1999-2008)[]
There is a pitch black screen (a 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 there is the THX logo with the Lucasfilm Ltd. notice at the top of THX. The logo shines and then fade-out.
9th logo (2000; 2001-2010)[]
In a darkly-lit environment, they zoom in toward a glassy blue sphere, which has clouds rolling and lightning flickering. As the environment illuminates, you see that the sphere is barely hovering over a textured blue floor. Suddenly, the glassy blue sphere shatters, and the sky is revealed to contain several rolling gray clouds. The glass then melts and gathers in the center. Some lightning strikes it and forms a silver THX logo. Then, the environment fades to black as a shimmering blue rectangle is drawn clockwise around it (like a laser). The logo fades out as the URL www.thx.com fades in.
Variants[]
- There is an early variant where the THX web address is absent.
- On some releases, after the THX logo fades out, the text "Digitally Mastered for Optimal Audio and Video Performance" (from the Broadway trailer) appears in the blue line. At one point from 2001 (when Lucasfilm still owned it), "Lucasfilm Ltd." was seen (exactly the way it was in the 1995 Broadway variant) above the THX logo.
- On the DVD releases of Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets & THX 1138, the screen is much wider than the other DVD releases with this trailer.
- On the DVD release of Terminator 2, the metallic rectangle with the T2 logo carved out appears, zooming the camera. Then, the rectangle gets blown by T-800 with the gun, as seen on the reflection. Pieces melt into T-1000 liquid metal and the liquid metal droplets merge to form the THX logo. After that, the THX logo fades out, and then it contains a message reading "The Best Sound, The Best Picture. You're Watching a THX Certified Feature" appears one by one as each text fades out before the other. Also, the Deep Note in this variant (the Terminator 2 variant) is the same as Broadway 2000 version. This is also on the Blu-ray release with some differences: the THX logo fades into the standard logo, the "DIGITALLY" and "MASTERED" (a la Broadway '95) are replaced with "CERTIFIED," and thewww.thx.com URL with a copyright notice appears. This is the basis of Cavalcade. It appears on the Ultimate, Extreme and Skynet editions of this film.
- On the DVDs of The Final Countdown, Fox Demo Disc #1, and The THX Ultimate Demo Disc, the logo fades out before we get to the "Digitally Mastered for Optimal Audio and Video Performance" text.
10th logo (2001-2006)[]
The THX logo starts up like any other, but just as the Deep Note is about to get loud, but the logo accidentally crashes down revealing Shrek and Donkey creating the Deep Note with many instruments. The two look at the screen (with Shrek also nervously saying "Uh-oh!"), before looking at each other and smiling awkwardly as they raise the logo (apparently made out of cardboard) up. The Deep Note starts again (albeit less louder than before) and the logo shimmers in green from left to right. While the Deep Note is playing, Donkey comes out and plays a kazoo over the last few seconds. Shrek yells "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" fades in on the top and shines, a smaller THX logo in the middle, and copyright info on the bottom.
11th logo (2003-2006)[]
On a black background there are 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 blue outline from the Broadway trailer appears around the screen and the words "CERTIFIED CINEMA" appear under the THX logo. Everything except the blue outline fades out and is replaced by the THX website URL on the top, copyright notices on the bottom and the phase "20 Years of Making Great Movies Come Alive."
12th logo (2005-early 2010s)[]
They first see a pitch black screen, but then there are 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 faint shine appears on 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 "shinemark" coming down on the "T". WWW.THX.COM and the copyright at the bottom appear.
Variants[]
- A 4:3 version is used on full-screen DVDs and the UK and AUS VHS of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
- The UK VHS of the above simply shows "CERTIFIED" under THX.
- Certified DVDs show "CERTIFIED DVD" under THX.
- A variant of this trailer is on the Australian DVD of "Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire'' where the deep note is the -1.5 pitched like before.
13th logo (2006-2008)[]
On a black background, there is the metallic outlines of the THX logo fade in. Then the shiny 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."
14th logo (2006)[]
On a gray background, there is a clapperboard on screen. The clapperboard claps, and then disappears off-screen. The camera then zooms out and turns, revealing the background to be a gray BMW car with the iconic "kidney grille". Tex flies on screen and stops in front of the car, giving a "stop" signal. Tex then tries to fly away, but ends up getting sucked into the car. He gets flung around the car's engine uncontrollably, and is eventually able to stop and regain his balance. He then looks up, and sees part of the piston spraying. After spraying for a few seconds, it explodes, and Tex gets covered in black ash. Another part of the piston then pushes Tex up, and he gets pursued by another explosion. He manages to escape from the car just in time, but then he loses control, and hits the THX logo off-screen. He then stands back up, shakes his arms and foot, looks back at the THX logo, and does a "Ta-dah!" pose. A copyright notice fades in and out on the bottom right.
15th logo (2007-2012)[]
It starts out with an octagon shape figure rising out of liquid (a la a ripple effect), and forms into another figure, which looks like petals from a flower (in fact is a 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 it zooms in on it. Then, the scene changes. They 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 it's front, producing the deep brass sound. Then it zooms 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 front center of the screen), producing some flapping sound, there is the flowerhead-like plant with dragonfly wings as petals, it pushes one-by-one clockwise, making dolphin chirping sounds, then there is a lotus seed head opening and closing its holes as it makes a melody played on glockenspiel. Intact with the drumbeats of the jingle, there is a variety of mushrooms as they "beat" and bump up the the drumbeats, and then the scene changes to swirly-like circles which vibrate, as it zooms from one to another, making the bass horn stab. It zooms into another tulip, making another deep brass sound, and suddenly, it flies over all of the above mentioned items. As the camera tilts toward the front and zooms back, there is the plant-covered structure evolve to the THX logo. This version looks slightly (but also noticeably) different than the other trailers of the past. The text zooms back.
16th logo (2008)[]
On a black background, there is this odd speck that talks in a familiar voice to Horton (from Horton Hears a Who). It turns out to be the mayor impersonating him. Then, the mayor says "Kinda losing ya", causing Horton to drop the THX logo, and he shouts "How about this? I've got him real close! Can you read me?" knocking the mayor off-screen, then followed by the Deep Note. Horton then turns to the audience, winks and then goes off-screen. The THX logo shines as usual. Then the screen transitions to a message reading "THE AUDIENCE IS HEARING" (spoofing the "The Audience is Listening" motto, with "HEAR" in the same font as the movie). On the side of the screen there is the mayor peek out of the side of the screen, with his clothes blowing.
17th logo (2010-2012)[]
On a deep cloudy background, there is a light tunnel of many colors as well as a shadow in the distance. The shadow then emerges to reveal a silver and shining THX logo as well as a crystal blue rectangle outline from the Broadway trailers, which zoom slowly at us. A small copyright notice is seen below the THX logo.
18th logo (2012)[]
On a black background, there is a blue trail of light fly around. It flies to an atmosphere with a purple hue. A pink, blue, purple, and green trail of light follows the blue trail and flies around with it. They then see a closeup shot of the two trails of light flying. The multicolored trail of light makes some shapes with its light, while the blue trail flies around the shapes and makes some mini shockwaves. They then cut to a white background but is revealed to be the back of the blue trail of light in the purple atmosphere. The multicolored trail of light joins the blue trail and the two trails fly towards the THX logo, which is seen in the distance. Everything is in slow motion for a split-second, and then the two trails quickly charge towards the THX logo and reveal it. This version looks noticeably different than the other trailers of the past. The THX logo shines as the two trails of light into the bottom line of the logo and cause a bright light to appear. This bright light takes up the entire screen.
19th logo (2015)[]
It starts 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 it zooms 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 it zooms through it, revealing the THX logo, which is black and has dark shines on it. The text "see you on the other side" wipes in underneath the THX logo.
Variants[]
- There is also a longer 45-second version in which some of the sticks and veins move around slower, and it zooms through the large ring faster. It can be seen here.
- There's an even longer 60-second version.
- A 4K resolution version exists.
- With Razer's acquisition of THX, a few modifications were made to this trailer. First, there is the text "THX IS EVOLVING" fade in at the beginning of the logo. A few seconds later the text fades out. Another line of text fades in, this time saying "HELLO". Below is Razer's print logo. After the text fades out the trailer continues as normal until the THX logo zooms in to the screen. The text "CERTIFIED BY" wipes in above the logo. The "see you on the other side" slogan wordmark is omitted and the copyright notice fades in during the logo and not after the logo.
20th logo (2015)[]
On a black background, there is either one of these:
- On normal displays, their slogan "The Audience is Listening" appears.
- On 4K displays, the THX 4K Display logo fades in.
Then either object disappears by sliding to the right. The background becomes black-gray-green gradient. A black line with blue marks slides to the right of the screen and starts to gently shake. It becomes liquid and breaks up into small circles. It zooms through the liquid. Multiple grouped lines start swirling around in a circular motion, then forms into a 4-layered sphere, hence the nickname. A 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 blue lines remain, then later disappear completely. Finally, either one of these appear below.
Variants[]
- 2 copyright notices "THX and the Deep Note sound are trademarks of THX Ltd. registered in certain jurisdictions. All rights reserved." "This THX trailer is the property of THX Ltd. All rights reserved".
- At the end of the "making of" video, showing the process of mixing the logo to a 5.1 and 7.1 sound formats, the words "see you on the other side" appear below the logo.
21st logo (2019-)[]
A large purple smoke cloud explodes on the screen, and the camera zooms out to reveal a nebula. They continue to zoom out through the space-like background as a mountain range appears below. The mountains then appear reflected in a water-drop on a dragonfly's wings. The dragonfly beats its wings in slow-motion clearing the water-drops, and flies through a new background, featuring some plants that appeared in the "Amazing Life" trailer. The camera dips down into a pool of water and emerges to reveal a city at night, as a helicopter flies past. The city is revealed to be inside a snowglobe on a table of various items. The camera pans back to reveal two similar tables with blue holographic domes on them. Then, Tex appears from the left and flies to a table in the front and loads up a similar holographic dome over the table and flies off. The camera continues to zoom out, revealing that Tex is aboard a star cruiser of some sort. The ship makes a light-speed jump, and the camera pans through the space station the ship was docked at. It is then revealed that the space station is in the shape of the THX logo, which becomes a more traditional silver color. The space background fades to blue, and then everything gradually fades out.
22nd logo (2020-)[]
In a glassy room in the same spaceship from "THX Genesis" Tex and a drone (Bob) attempt to place an orb in a socket, they are in front of a window with a floating THX logo in the background, They fight over who gets to put the orb in, the orb flies through the room and both chase it, causing the camera to fall, tex places the camera back into position, they compromise and Tex lets the drone slam dunk the orb into the socket, this 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, it fades to the THX print logo, the text "SPATIAL AUDIO" fades underneath it.
23rd logo (2020) (FANMADE)[]
On a black background, there is the poem writer michael rosen with a thumbs up pops up from the bottom right, then the text and now for our feature presentation in the bliss heavy font blinks at us then fades out.
Music/Sounds[]
1st logo[]
A synthesized crescendo sound effect known as the "Deep Note". It starts off with a group of 30 descending synthesized voices reminiscent of the sound of an airplane flying. Each voice moves slowly and randomly in a frequency sweep between 200hz and 400hz. This part of the Deep Note then repeats, and eventually the voices proceed to their target notes, a drastic change of three octaves. The lower notes grow deeper, and the higher voices grow more shrill, becoming an ascending dramatic sound until the sounds stop in one pitch. Three voices are heard per note, slightly detuned. Two more voices are heard in the bass. It was coded by James Andy Moorer. The version available online (via THX) has a noticeable audio dropout at 0:23.
2nd logo[]
- The theatrical version uses a louder version of the Deep Note which excludes the looped portion of the beginning.
- The DVD/VHS/LaserDisc version has a shorter and quicker version of the Deep Note that starts at the rapid pitch change. The VHS and most of the LaserDisc versions have a +2/higher-pitched (E note) Deep Note, which was stolen for Laser Video Russia's 3rd logo. The DVD version has a -1.5/lower-pitched (C♯ note) version that is often reused in some of the future logos listed below. On THX-certified PAL releases (namely UK VHS tapes, but also including video CDs using THX-Certified masters from PAL VHS tapes), the VHS variant is at a higher pitch (+3, at an F note).
- The HD version, or "Broadway Classic (Restored)," has the remastered Deep Note used in the "Science of Sensation" logo
- The 2000 UK DVD of Aliens has the +1 PAL pitch version of the -1.5 DVD Deep Note.
3rd logo[]
- On early prints, an orchestra warms up, then a big descending synth note followed by an orchestra crescendo. When the THX logo appears the descending synth is played again,followed by a rising string note for the THX logo, represents the Deep Note.
- After some theaters complained about the above music messes up their speakers, it was being replaced with a new orchestral piece done by James Horner. We hear an orchestra warm up at the start, then a rousing orchestral cue with some whistling sounds (not in the original version of WOW! except for the 2002 & Vimeo releases), and then a beautiful composition of twinkles and ascending notes when the THX logo appears (representing the Deep Note). A whoosh is heard as the THX logo zooms in (not in the original version of WOW!), followed by twinkles. This music debuted in the Cimarron trailer shown at the end of the THX WOW! (1990) LaserDisc.
- The LaserDisc variant has thunder and a shorter version of the Dolby Digital remix music and sounds.
4th logo[]
Some bell chimes and wind howling. When the background opens, wind whistles, then various ascending notes and sounds, until a Star Wars laser-gun sound and a whooshing sound occur as the THX logo appears and ends with a choir-like version of the Deep Note. The sound for this trailer was apparently created by Skywalker Sound and, according to The THX Ultimate Demo Disc, designed by David Slusser and Marco d'Ambrosio.
5th logo[]
The atmosphere, dialogue, and the Deep Note.
6th logo[]
The Deep Note in -1.5 lower pitch (from the Broadway DVD variant), Tex's dialogue, and sounds corresponding to the animation. The sound design is by Gary Rydstrom, according to The THX Ultimate Demo Disc. See "Trailer" for the rest.
7th logo[]
Same as the previous trailer, except the Deep Note is replaced by cows mooing it (if you really listen 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.
Music/Sound Variant[]
On some releases, the logo is louder, and more mooing sounds are added in, and the moo noise heard at the end is heard later.
8th logo[]
A shorter version of the Deep Note that begins right before the rapid pitch change. However, new voices are added to the Deep Note and drown out most of the original voices except for the lower ones.
9th logo[]
Rainfall sounds, then we hear thunderclaps/electric shocking sounds, followed by glass shattering, sounds of glass melting, lightning sounds, then the Deep Note. A laser-like sound is heard as the rectangle is formed. It also can be heard in PAL pitch if you have a PAL DVD with this logo.
Music/Sounds Variant[]
In the T2 variant, music from Terminator 2 is heard with sounds from the Terminator 2 film which fades into the Deep Note used in Broadway 2000; the sound design and mix is by Gary Rydstrom at Skywalker Sound according to the credits of the T2 Ultimate Edition DVD.
10th logo[]
The Deep Note (the descending part at first with it falling over), the instruments, and the dialogue.
11th logo[]
In this order, sound/dialogue clips from the following movies are heard:
- Apocalypse Now Redux
- Jurassic Park *1 *2
- Die Hard *2
- Jurassic Park(again) *1 *2
- Nightmare on Elm Street *2 (LD)
- Star Wars: Episode I *1 *2
- Fight Club *1 *2
- Alien *2
- Star Wars: Episode I(again) *1 *2
- Pulp Fiction *2 (LD)
- Back To The Future trilogy
- Lord of The Rings trilogy *1
- The Fast and the Furious
- Speed *1 *2After this the THX Deep Note starts playing as the final sound clips play from:
- Alien(again) *2
- Ghost
- The Mask *2 (LD)Sound Design was by Gary Rydstrom, Randy Thom and Ben Burtt of Skywalker Sound. *1 denotes Skysound title *2 denotes THX-certified title
12th logo[]
A remastered Deep Note, some shining sounds, and whooshes. In this remastered Deep Note, some voices are reminiscent of the newer ones from the Broadway 2000 version, and some of the voices reach their final pitches before the others do.
Music/Sounds Variant[]
The Australian DVD of "Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire" uses the -1.5/low pitched Deep Note from before.
13th logo[]
The -1.5/low-pitched Deep Note from Broadway (DVD variant), Tex trailers and the Australian version of the last trailer.
14th logo[]
A guy saying "And...action!" when the clapperboard is on screen, Tex's voice, some car sounds and other sound effects, and the -1.5/low-pitched Deep Note from before.
15th logo[]
A variety of instruments playing in sync with each plant, performed by Lost in the Sky. This ends with a less noisy version of the Deep Note, accompanied by the swoosh. Unlike the previous THX trailers, the music starts at the ending note (blended into the background instrumentation at first) and comes to a quick end rather than fading out smoothly. Mixed by Gary A. Rizzo at Skywalker Sound.
16th logo[]
The characters talking, sound effects corresponding to the animation, and the Deep Note.
17th logo[]
The 2005 Deep Note.
18th logo[]
Sound effects accompanying the atmosphere, followed by the Deep Note.
19th logo[]
A redone version of the Deep Note, also done by James Andy Moorer. It sounds more synthesized than before, and is even louder than before. It starts off with the synths ascending and descending over and over again until they rapidly change their pitches. During the rapid pitch change, the clashing pitches of the lower synths cause a "rumbling" sound as the Deep Note gets louder, and the final pitch gets louder and louder as more and more synths join them at the final chord. The highest synths on the final chord create a synth organ-like sound, while the lowest synths create a deep humming sound. Mixed by Lora Hirschberg and Gary Rydstrom at Skywalker Sound.
Music/Sounds Variant[]
In the longer versions, after the synths switch back and forth between ascending and descending, the louder synths are stretched out until the final chord.
20th logo[]
First, the beginning half of the original Deep Note plays, then gets interrupted by whooshes, liquid sound effects, and a low synth note, followed by a choir. During the glow, the Deep Note resumes, followed by another whoosh, and an explosion.
Music/Sounds Variant[]
During the "making of" video, there was no Deep Note.
21st logo[]
Sounds accompanying the environments, along with descending sounds invoking the Deep Note. When we start panning through the space station. we hear the 2005 Deep Note, with multiple stop-starts during the early stages. The stop-starts get faster and faster until the Deep Note converges into a single sound.
22nd logo[]
Whirring of the flying drones, pinging, balls flying and hitting things, Robot grunts a slam noise and then the Deep Note (-1.5/low-pitched as heard on DVD, Tex, Bounty, Australian version of Science, Ziegfeld, and Tex 3).
23rd logo (FANMADE)[]
The normal THX music plays with an announcer saying and now for our feature presentation.
Scare Factor[]
1st logo[]
Low, because of the dark atmosphere and the Deep Note. But it’s a cool logo.
2nd logo[]
- Theatrical/Dell variants: Low, for the same reasons as the last logo. It’s a great logo, and it is a favorite of many.
- Stargate and Species LaserDisc variant: See above.
- VHS/LaserDisc variants: Low to medium. The louder deep note might scare you, but it is still cool.
- Video CD/UK VHS variants: See above.
- DVD/Apollo 13LaserDisc variants: Minimal.
- Aliens UK DVD Variant: Minimal to low. Once again, the deep note might scare some, but it’s cool.
3rd logo[]
Depending on the variant:
- Dolby Digital variant: Low to medium. The dark atmosphere and giant THX logo flying towards the screen, along with the thunder sound in the LaserDisc variant, could raise up the scare factor a little, but the incredible animation and music has made this a favorite of many.
- With the original music: See above.
4th logo[]
Low to medium. The sounds can catch you off-guard, and the dated red background can be an eyesore to some, but the Deep Note sounds much more calmer on this trailer. This is also a favorite of many.
5th logo[]
None to low, because of the Deep Note and subject matter (the exploding head doesn't help), but it's a hilarious trailer and a favorite of Simpsons fans.
6th logo[]
Minimal. We still have the Deep Note, but it's intended to be funny, and is a favorite of many, especially among the Pixar crowd.
7th logo[]
None, but it could be higher if you have THX-phobia or are scared of Tex. The actual Deep Note isn't there and it's meant to be funny. It’s yet again a favorite of many, including Pixar’s fanbase.
8th logo[]
Low, because of the dark atmosphere and the Deep Note. But it’s also a great logo.
9th logo[]
Low to medium. The deep note and the sphere shattering can unnerve some, especially those who have Astrophobia (The fear of thunder and lightning), but this is a great logo, and it is a favorite of many. Minimal to Low for the Terminator 2 variant.
10th logo[]
Low. The Deep Note's presence is still ominous, but it's a hilarious trailer, and might also be a favorite among Shrek's parodic "Brogre" fandom.
11th logo[]
Low. The deep note is still there, but it is still cool.
12th logo[]
Depending on the variant.
Low to medium for the original variant. The deep note and the very long dark atmosphere can scare some, but it is cool.
Minimal to medium for the variant used on the Australian DVD of "Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire". The low pitched Deep Note can surprise those who expected the OG one and wind up with this one instead. Otherwise, it is still cool.
13th logo[]
Medium. The flashing atmosphere, Deep Note, and sudden appearance can catch people off-guard, but at least it’s cool!
14th logo[]
Minimal. Like the 6th trailer, it's intended to be funny but it can scare those with "THX-phobia". And again, it may be a favorite among the Pixar crowd.
15th logo[]
Low, due to the Deep Note. The scare factor may range from High to Nightmare for those that have trypophobia (fear of holes), although some with THX-phobia might even like this one for its wonderful animation.
16th logo[]
Low. The "CRASH!" sound and the Deep Note might startle a more than few viewers, but it's intended to be funny.
17th logo[]
Minimal. The deep note can still scare some, but it’s cool.
18th logo[]
Minimal, due to the accompanied sound effects, atmosphere, and Deep Note. However, the colours and wisps make it a lot tamer. It’s also cool.
19th logo[]
Low to medium. The even louder deep note can REALLY unnerve some, but the animation is amazing.
20th logo[]
Low. The animation, sounds and the Deep Note can startle more than a few, but they're wonderful otherwise.
21st logo[]
Low. Even though the deep note can scare some, this is a great trailer by THX, thanks to the CGI and the references to "Amazing Life" and the appearance of Tex.
22nd logo[]
Minimal. Again, the Deep Note is still present, but it's also quite a humorous logo. It's also a good logo for spatial audio.
23rd logo[]
None
Availability[]
1st Logo[]
None, but it did appear at the start of the 1983 premiere of Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi.
2nd Logo[]
Appeared on early DVD, VHS, and LaserDisc releases of several movies from various studios such as Disney, Buena Vista, 20th Century Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
3rd Logo[]
Appeared only on LaserDisc releases of movies.
4th Logo[]
Appeared only on the 2001 DVD release of Speed
5th Logo[]
Appeared on the Simpsons Season 5 episode, "Burns Heir"
6th Logo[]
Appeared on these releases in order of listing:
- Independence Day (Theatrical release, 1996)
- Toy Story (1996 LaserDisc/2001 DVD release)
- Home Alone (2000/2001 DVD releases/2006 Family Fun Edition DVD release)
- A Bug's Life (2003 DVD release)
- Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (2005 2-Disc Special Edition DVD release)
- Toy Story 2 (2005 Special/Woody's Roundup Edition DVD release)
- Cars (2006/2011 DVD release)
- The Secret Of Nimh (2007 Family Fun Edition DVD release)
- The Pebble & The Penguin (2007 Family Fun Edition DVD release)
- Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix (2007 DVD release)
The extended version only appeared on two DVD'S
- Finding Nemo (2003 DVD release) (Disc 2)
- Alvin & The Chipmunks (2008 DVD release) (Side B)
7th Logo[]
This trailer can be found in the following order below:
- Alvin & The Chipmunks (2008 DVD Release) (Side A)
- Finding Nemo (2003 DVD release) (Disc 1)
- Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince (2009 UK Blu-ray/DVD releases)
- Home Alone (2005 2-Disc Special Edition DVD release)
- Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (2001 2 Home Alone Movies In 1! DVD release)
- Horton Hears A Who! (2008 DVD release) (Side B)
- Igor (2008 DVD release) (Side A)
- Monsters Inc. (2002 DVD/VHS release)
- Speed 2: Cruise Control (2002 DVD release)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2 (2005 DVD release)
- The Day The Earth Stood Still (2002 DVD release)
- Toy Story (2005 10th Anniversary Edition DVD release)
- Toy Story 2 (2000 Ultimate Toy Box DVD release)
8th Logo[]
The movies that have this trailer are unknown, but it did appear at the start of the 1999 premiere of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
9th Logo[]
The following movies are listed in the order below:
- Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone (2002 DVD release)
- Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets (2003 DVD release)
- Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004 DVD release)
- Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire (Original 2006 DVD release)
- Home Alone (2003 DVD release)
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (2001 DVD release)
- Star Wars Episode II: The Attack Of The Clones (2002 DVD release)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 1 (2004 DVD release)
- Star Wars: The Complete Trilogy (2004 DVD Box Set Release)
- THX 1138 (2004 Director's Cut Edition)
- The Incredibles (2005 DVD release)
The T2 trailer can only be found on the Terminator 2: Judgement Day 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD release, the 2003 DVD release, and the 2006 Blu-ray release.
10th Logo[]
None, but was going to be released in theaters with the 2001 premiere of Shrek. It can also be found on the 2003 Special Edition DVD release of Shrek.
12th Logo[]
This THX Trailer can be found on four DVD releases: Cinderella (2005 French DVD), Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire (2006 Australian DVD), Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge Of The Sith, and The Wizard Of Oz (2005 DVD)
14th Logo[]
This trailer has premiered in the 2006 Theatrical release of Cars and can only be found on Brave Story and District B13.
15th Logo[]
Here are the DVD releases with this trailer:
- The 2007 Box Set release of the four Indiana Jones movies
- The 2008 Asian & African releases of Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix
- Side B of the 2008 release of Igor
- The 2008 release of Star Wars & The Clone Wars
16th Logo[]
This trailer has premiered in the 2008 Theatrical release of Horton Hears A Who!, and is found on Side A of the 2008 DVD release of Horton Hears A Who!
23rd Logo (FANMADE)[]
Only seen on fryciopoop's most viewed video michael rosen wastes his time (1K subscribers special)
Trivia[]
- Additionally, the THX logo also has gotten its own nicknames, such as "The loudest noise of your childhood", "The Deep Note", "That One Loud Logo That Appears Before Several of Your Favourite Movies" and "Your Childhood's Worst Nightmare Before the Movie Starts".
- The Deep Note is also supposed to let the audience know that the movie's sound is in the highest quality available, although it can unintentionally scare many people, especially kids and THXphobics.
- It's also well known to have its own parodies, such as from The Simpsons (from the episode Burn's Heir), Tiny Toon Adventures (known as "THUD") and even Bluey (which was named "BRM")
- Adding to that, THX even liked the Simpsons THX gag and made into a real trailer.
- On THX's website, you can see the 21st logo but it's an error with the website because there is a button saying "Sound On" even though the music isn't playing and if you press that button it will say "Sound Off" even though the music is playing. Plus they used a higher resolution quality to make the animation cooler
- In the 23rd logo the picture of Michael Rosen was from Quiet Please from 2008.
Videos[]
CAUTION: Do not watch the Amazing Life logo if you have trypophobia (a fear of holes).
WARNING: Don't watch the Cavalcade logo if you have Astrophobia (The fear of lightning).
Dream variants[]
1st logo
There is a digitally mastered variant with the digitally mastered text in arial, the text on the thx logo can be lucasfilm above only or digitally mastered. after, the best sound best picture text from grand or cavalcade appears. a copyright notice appears below.
there is an DELL version where your dell pc is thx certified appears, then best picture. best sound., then the lucasfilm above logo.
on laserdiscs, the mastered and duplicated text appears, then the [ LASER |/ DISC ] box appears in blue under the thx logo.
on VHS, it uses the digitally mastered version.
There is a remastered version where the text is in arial and the thx logo is the coparated one in blue, shining. a copyright notice appears in blue below.
There is a bluray version where the logo is hd and certified is under the logo. after, the URL appears.
2nd logo
There is a DELL version of the hd version where the text from the old version appears, and the URL fades in along with the copyright notice.
there is a combo version with the 3rd logo.
3rd logo
there is a short version starting with the 3d thx logo. then the broadway thx logo appears in a silver rectangle. then the end text appears on a black background.
the combo version with the 2nd logo starts in space, where the adiorum text from grand appears, then we fly backwards through the vortex, then the conductor puts down his baton. then we zoom in on a box as it turns into a blue outline, then it acts like broadway. the end text appears on a black background.
there is a bluray version that starts like the short version, but the digitally mastered text appears at the begining.
on dvds, the digitally mastered text appears on the 2nd logo.
there is a DELL version where the beginning text is replaced by your dell pc is thx certified. after, the best picture best sound text appears, followed by the URL.
4th logo
there is a digitally mastered version where the adiorum text is replaced by the digitally mastered text.
there is a laserdisc version where the background quickly turns blue, and after the thx logo appears, the background fades to black as the broadway rectangle appears, and [LASER|/DISC] is under the logo.
there is an enhanced version where the real deep note is here, the audience is listening zooms in, and the thx logo appears in the broadway rectangle.
5th Trailer
Trailer: In a starry sky, we zoom out to see Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad from Nintendo's popular Super Mario franchise. They are enjoying the fireworks outside of Peach's castle, a la the opening to the game Super Mario 3D World. Luigi says, "Mario, look at that one!" and Mario goes "What is it, Luigi?" Peach and Toad look as well, and we see a firework fly into the night sky, exploding into the THX logo made out of firework sparks, which then later fades into the regular one. A blue rectangle is drawn around the logo (a la the "Cavalcade" trailer). The THX logo shines as "The Audience Is Listening" in a Mario-esque font fades in.
Music/Sounds: Fireworks banging, the voices, and the Deep Note. The Deep Note can be in many different pitches like the "Broadway" trailer. It can be the original D# note, -1.5 semitones (C), +2 semitones (E), or +3 semitones (F). It can also be any of the other versions of the Deep Note, like the "Amazing Life", "Broadway 2000", or "Eclipse" trailers. In layman's terms, it can be every single version of the Deep Note, including the "Moo Can" version.
Scare Factor: Minimal. It's not scary at all, and boasts very nice CGI. It may give people who aren't fond of fireworks a slight jump, but it is harmless besides that.