The best of a bad bunch? (Cineworld Cinemas)

Member Name: vickitoria10

Product:	Cineworld Cinemas
Date:	10/09/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Big screens, reasonably comfy seats

Disadvantages: Price, teenagers

We used to go to our local cineworld regularly as it was close to our work place, we had the unlimited pass and used to go at least once a week, sometimes more. At the time we were paying £12 a month and this worked out at quite good value. We avoided buying any food and going out for tea and it became quite a good way to enjoy a cheap night out. However we found that instead of going to the cinema for enjoyment, it got to the stage where we were going because we felt we had to, to get our money's worth. In the end, we decided we were no longer getting value for money so cancelled the subscription and decided we'd just go now and again to see any blockbusters that we wanted to see and others we'd wait a year and watch on sky.

This review is based on the Cineworld in Sheffield, it currently has 20 screens, with screens 19 and 20 being used for VIP premieres mainly and last time I went for 3D films. These 2 screens, although not the biggest have bigger comfier chairs with side tables and a rocking mechanism which allows you to recline the chair slightly, as well as much more leg room.

All the other screens are fairly standard cinema screens, they are kept reasonably clean - I wouldn't go as far as spotless though! 2/3 screens are absolutely huge and hold 500-600 people and are really good for watching big blockbusters. They all have cup-holders in them and are reasonable comfortable with adequate leg room.

The main gripe I have about cineworld, and this is probably the same as all cinemas, is the cost. It is now £6.90 per adult for normal films and £9.10 for 3D films. The last film I went to see was Ice Age 3D - which was a good film, however I do not feel it is good value for money - £18 for a couple to watch a film?! I'll wait until it comes on sky or the DVD comes out!

Also some adult only showings forfilm's that aren't really late at night, I know we went to see a kids film, bit it's generally not the kids that are a problem, it's usually teenagers that seem to to find a cinema a good place to hang out and cause mischief! Unless you go and watch an 18 or go very late at night you're viewing will be spoilt by some teenagers, laughing heavily out loud at inapproriate moments, talking amongst themselves, playing on their phone or just generallt being a nuisense!

There are certain films that I think are better to watch in the cinema - ones like Die Hard and Day after Tomorrow do give a better experience than watching it at home, I think for me to go to the cinema again it would have to be a film like this for me to even think about paying that price again.

On top of this you then of course have the food and drink - technically you aren't allowed to take your own food in, what a con!! I always sneak my bottle of drink in and a packet of sweets bought at the shop for half the price! It always amazes me how many people do actually seem to be tucking in to the overpriced drink and food!

Overall, I think the unlimited card makes the cinema good value, if you will really watch anything and don't mind going a lot, otherwise it ends up being a chore going to the cinema. Without the card, I think they are beginning to price themselves out of an evening out, I know things are becoming more expensive but for £18 to sit in a cinema for a couple of hours I think is a bit steep!

Summary: As far as cinema's go, this is probably the best.