Sep 14, 2014 06:49 PM
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Like most of us, I long for the good old days of single screen cinemas. Of cheap tickets and cheaper food and beverage. I still remember my college days, of classes bunked to catch the morning show at Rex, for that was all we could afford on our meagre pocket money. Still, these days, it is the day of the multiplex.
Issues with the Current Multiplexes
While multiplexes allow you access to many more movies than were earlier possible, they are still plagued by a lot of problems, namely:
Most multiplexes have a screen size which cannot compare to the old single screen halls. While that is not a problem while watching a drama, when watching something like Gravity or Transformers, you do miss the size and immersive ability a large screen gives
In small multiplexes, even if you sit back, you are too close to the screen
The food is too expensive. I mean, a bucket of popcorn for Rs. 200!
The restrooms are not always maintained
The 3D glasses in places like Inox are old and badly scratched, which affects your enjopyment of the movie
Ticket Prices. Over Rs. 350 for a Friday – Sunday show is way too much.
So, after highlighting all the problems with the multiplex, you might guess that Cinepolis in Bannerghatta Road will be more of the same, right?
Not exactly
Location and Getting There
Cinepolis is located in the Royal Meenakshi Mall on Bannerghatta road. That makes it a boon for those who live in south Bangalore, Bannerghatta road and perhaps parts of JP Nagar. However, Bannerghatta road is crowded and travelling is slow, so it is not the best option is you live elsewhere.
Prices
This is what I like about Cinepolis. Prices are competitive. On Wednesday’s all shows are Rs. 111, and many weekend shows still cost below Rs. 300. Morning shows on weekend are also Rs. 150, making it Rs. 100 cheaper than the INOX multiplexes.
Seating Size and Screens
Cinepolis has one of the largest halls in a multiplex. There are five screens, and the average seting capacity is over 500, with some of the bigger halls reaching to 800. This makes is really nice to watch if you manage to get a middle row to back row seat. Even the front row seats are not jammed right into the screen.
The seats are comfortable and made of the same soft cottony material you find in many multiplexes. The good part is, unlike others, they are not broken and recline well. One complaint I have is that the run the air conditioning very cold here, but hey, some people like that.
3D Viewing and Sound
At cinepolis you almost always get nice, clean and sterilized 3D glasses. They have far fewer scratches and are much less worn out as compared to the competition. This makes 3D viewing more fun, as the picture does not get darkened or blurred much when you put them on. The sound system is also good, no complaints on that front. It does not blast you with excess volume. The volume is enough and you can comfortable hear dialogue and explosions without one overriding the other.
Refreshments
I am not a big fan of paying for food and drinks at movie halls as they are overpriced. Yes, Cinepolis is still overpriced as compared to MRP, but a bucket of large popcorn costs Rs. 110 here, as compared to Rs. 150 at INOX or Rs. 160 at PVR, so is makes more sense. The popcorn is still not as good as INOX Magrath Road, which is my favourite.
Better yet, the foodcourt is right below the movie theatre so you can grab a bit after the movie at more reasonable prices.
Facilities in Meenakshi Mall
Meenakshi Mall is a good mall in the sense that it is not overcrowded. You can walk around without feeling like you are in a fish market, and parking facilities are good and mostly available, even on weekends. On the other hand, parking is more expensive here as compared to other malls, being around Rs. 10 more per hour. There are KFC, McDonalds, a Food Court, Croma, and an Auchan Hypermarket if you want to purchase your groceries as well.
Verdict
If this review has come across as more of an advertisement, I apologise, but that’s because I just love Cinepolis. It is the best value multiplex and delivers the best cinematic experience in Bangalore, in my opinion. Another reason I love it is that it is still playing one show of Gravity almost a year after it released in India.
