| Product: |
General comments |
| Date: |
08/01/02 (96 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Experience
Disadvantages: Possible queasiness
For those of you have read my Beauty and the Beast opinion, you will know that when I found out that it was on for a limited time at IMAX theatres, I rushed to get tickets! And here I am again to tell you all about my IMAX experience...
**~~WHAT IS IMAX?~~**
An IMAX cinema is a massive, huge, gigantic screen. IMAX comes from the word 'Image Maximum'. In fact, it's the height of FIVE double decker buses! The exact measurements are 20m by 26m - very, very big! The idea is is that the screen completly fills your whole field of vision, therefore making it seem like you are part of the action. According to the IMAX website (www.londonimax.org.uk), the screen could big enough to carry the clockface of Big Ben 12 times over. Wow.
IMAX theatres also have special sound systems so that the sound is as big as the images. Sounds surrounds you and it is all crystal clear using the latest technology. When you are sat in the theatre, you can tell the difference in sound quality!
IMAX also show some films in 3D! Normally about 4 films are offered at one time and about 2 of those are 3D films.
**~~WHAT WAS IT LIKE?~~**
Now, if you didn't know already, you have a better idea about IMAX. so what was the whole experience like? Well, watching the film was very different to watching a film at a normal cinema. I saw an animation and the benefit of seeing an animation on this scale was that you could appreciate the detail of the animation much more. Also, when the cameras zoom in or out, because the screen fills your whole periperal vision, it feels like you are moving in and out.
IMAX is meant to make you feel like you are part of the action. And it does. I've seen Beauty and the Beast a thousand times in normal format but because it was a totally different experience, bits made me jump that I knew were coming because you are far more involved with the action. I suppose films like Shackleton (also sho
wing at the moment) would involve you even more.
**~~GETTING TO THE IMAX~~**
Should be very simple! But me (being me) had to mess it up! Basically, if you go to Waterloo Station and leave at Exit 5 (well sign-posted) there is a subway straight ahead of you which directs you straight to the IMAX. However, I managed to miss the subway because I wandered off with the boyfriend to have a quick look at the London Eye which is just around the corner. Anyway, when walked back (unaware that we were meant to find a subway) we found that the IMAX is right in the centre of a busy round-about! YIKES! After walking round the round-about a few times trying to find a safe place to cross amongst manic London taxi drivers, we discovered the subway! Woohoo! Ahh and there we were. The IMAX is made of glass and all lit up but could we find the damn entrance?! NO! Of course not. So we walked about the circular building a few times to find the right entrance. We still got it wrong and walked in the cafe entrance. Oh well, least we got there. Guess I sound pretty dumb...?!
**~~INSIDE THE IMAX~~**
The IMAX is only a couple of years old and so the whole place looks pretty pristine still. Like I said, the building is round and is two stories. The Box Office is situated on the bottom floor. There's a fairly large Cafe serving the usual coffees, teas, soft drinks and cakes. Watch out though, natually all the stuff's overpriced! We had time to spare so we had a look around the theatre. On the ground floor there was alot of picture to do with Shackleton, how they made it and how the costumes were designed etc. That kept my interest for a little while. Up a big staircase there's some seating for you to use if you're early for the film. There's also a big counter selling your normal popcorn and cold drinks. We bought a couple of cokes and some Nachoes (which were disgusting, don't buy them!) for about a fiver. Before the film st
arted I thought I'd better use the toilet. They were nice enough but I think the heating had broken because they were FREEZING! In case you're wondering, the rest of the building was heated OK!
Finally it was time to go in. We handed out tickets to the usher who told us where to find our seats. When you go into the cinema (by the way, there's only one screen) all you see is a huge white screen. Then go up some steps and quite a fir way back (else you wouldn't be aboe to see the whole screen!
The seats were comfortable (although not the 'luxury' described in the leaflet!) and there was enough room for your legs. There was a handy little holder for you drink too.
Before the film started, a mumbling man came in to make an announcement about fire exits and stuff. He also said that you might feel a bit sick when first watching the film and if this were to happen, to close your eyes for a few moments. This announcement would have been far more effective if it had been done over a tanoid and not by some unconfident teen!
**~~BOOKING AND MORE INFORMATION~~**
For more information, look on the IMAX website. By the way, there are also IMAX cinemas in other big towns and cities around the UK but the one in London has the biggest screen in Europe! The website contains booking prices and telephone numbers as well as the films showing and their times. Prices are usually £7.20 for adults but for some reason they were £9 for Beauty and the Beast!
To book (there's a £1 booking fee for each booking) call: 020 7902 1234
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