I suppose it will be helpful to put this review into context by saying I'm American and I've lived in Hamilton for nearly a year. I only just went to see a movie at this cinema for the first time last week. Man, do I wish I had been here sooner!
I think it's fair to generalize that most American cinemas are over-priced, over-run by rude patrons (often teenagers) and the experience is somewhat hectic... get there early to get a good seat, feel financially raped by the cost of concessions and the ticket, wait in line to get your tickets torn before you can finally go into the theater.
This, my friends, is a totally different way to go to the movies. Now, I don't know if all cinemas in New Zealand are like this, but if so, we're doing it all wrong in the U.S.
My husband and I went for a date night. These cinemas are located on the upper level of the Centre Place mall. You go up the escalator into a dimly lit, large lobby area that is reminiscent of a club. In fact, club music is playing, there are video monitors showing dancing shapes and designs and there is a lounge area with couches, lounge chairs and cool little tables.
We went up and asked for two tickets (the prices here are comparable to U.S., happened to be $15/adult). We noted that alcohol was available for purchase. We asked if it could be consumed in the theater - sure thing! We ordered a bottle of wine to share since we were seeing a 3 hour movie. We were given glass wine glasses and were told that we could sit in the lounge to start enjoying our wine while the movie showing before ours let out. We also ordered "hot food." I'd say this is a step up from U.S. offerings. We each ordered a meat and cheese pie and kumara fries. We were informed the food would be delivered to our seats.
How do they know how to find you? Well, here, you are given assigned seats within the theater. She asked us where we wanted to sit and I wasn't sure how to answer because I've never been to a place where you have an assigned seat. We just said, "the middle," and we were happy with the seats we were given.
While we were marveling in the lounge over our wine, a staff member came by to say, "I can tear your tickets and you can go into your movie now." It was so calm and relaxing, no one rushing because your seat is already assigned. The seats are spacious and there is considerable space between the rows, much to the delight of my tall, long-legged husband. We put the wine bottle in our cup holder between us. Our food was delivered to our seat. I'm going with a 4-star rating here because the kumara fries left much to be desired. The pies were warm and good. The only thing I see missing here is a table for eating. I guess I imagined something like an airline tray that folds out of the armrests or something. Balancing the food on our laps was less awesome, but still, overall, we were pretty blown away by the experience. read more