Browse Before You VUE (myvue.com)

Member Name: cazkins

Product:	myvue.com
Date:	08/09/09 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Allows you to browse currently showing & coming soon films, book tickets & view showing times

Disadvantages: Not much detail on films/reviews

I don't go to the cinema as much as I used to, although I still love going for the experience (even if I have to be a loner by going on my own!). I like to know what I'm doing and when, not because I'm a control freak (well, maybe a tad) but because no one likes turning up the cinema looking forward to watch the latest release only to find that cinema isn't showing it!

Myvue.com is the website for Vue Cinemas, a very popular cinema chain that, with regards to my nearest cinemas, offers the best experience in terms of general appearance, seating and lighting.

When you first go on the site, you're taking to the welcome page where you select your cinema and can choose whether this is remembered for the next time you visit. The greeting is 'Welcome to Vue Entertainment - the ultimate cinema experience!' - some may disagree with this but I'm a fan of VUE, just not a fan of their inflated ticket prices.

Once you're onto the home page of your chosen cinema, you'll see a range of side icons which move with you as you scroll down the page. These include: Home, All Films / Times, Hot Offers, Cinema Info, Competitions, Buy Giftcard.

In the centre is the heart of the information, such as film listings, surrounded either side by film advertisements. At the top you can choose to change cinema and pick a film, or scroll down to see either current films showing, films coming soon, or all films.

The films 'now booking' page gives just the basic info such as the film title (hyperlinked to give you more information), certificate rating, quick description and links to buy a ticket, find what times it's showing at your cinema, or get further film details.

Clicking on the film title brings up further information and sometimes an 'exclusive video' clip, helping you decide whether it's something you want to watch, along with the relevant information such as director, running time and cast.

The film times are shown, and can be clicked on to take you to the booking page so you can purchase your tickets.

If you want to know more about your cinema, such as disabled access or ticket prices, that's all found under the 'cinema info' link. I find this quite useful, along with the details of film times, so you can organise yourself well beforehand. Should you have any queries however, or issues with the online booking, the contact details & phone number of your chosen cinema are made available.

When making a booking, you need to select the film & time you wish to attend. Then, the details (such as when it's estimated to start and finish) and are given, along with the details you need select from drop down boxes to choose which tickets you want. There's also a box for a promotional code if you have one to redeem.

You can purchase upto 10 tickets at a time, and if you're purchasing a discounted one, such as a student ticket, then proof of age/identity/student status is required when you get to the cinema.

Once you've chosen your tickets and the site has confirmed they're available, you're transferred to the payments page. Here you enter your card details, and it's a secure site so it's safe enough to do so. Do note, however, that a 60p card-handling fee is added to your purchase, which is rather cheeky in my opinion considering the prices of the tickets are steep enough as it is!

You need to take your card (along with any ID that may be required if you're buying a student card for instance) to the cinema, and then you can either pick up your tickets from the automated machine or the regular till point.

I find the site quite easy to navigate, and it does have benefits. I like knowing what's on and when, and you can search through a specific film or all films showing to give you an idea of what's available to watch at your chosen cinema.

There's enough information on the site to organise your visit and catch up on the latest film releases. But, there's no film reviews so if you want to know whether other people think the films are actually any good then you'll have to look elsewhere.

Overall, it's probably not the best place to get up to date film news or reviews, but it does what it should in terms of giving you VUE cinema information.

I'd recommend this as a worthwhile pit stop if you're heading to a VUE cinema to check out the listings and/or book your tickets.

Summary: It's a good site to visit to plan your cinema trip