REVIEW: Cineworld, York

On a night full of election-based tension and uncertainty, Managing Editor Krystal, Senior Territory Manager Tina and I decided to do one thing: go to the cinema.

But this was no ordinary trip to the cinema. This was Cineworld, situated in York’s brand new Community Stadium. With 13 state-of-the-art screens – including an impressive IMAX, ViP area and revolutionary ScreenX technology – this newest addition to our city’s amenities isn’t to be taken lightly.

From the outside it doesn’t look like it’ll offer a lot. The Community Stadium is absolutely huge, and the external entrance to Cineworld is like a drop in the ocean. But trust me – it’s a TARDIS.

Go through the sparkly entrance and you’re greeted by, of all things, a Starbucks. Continue up the escalators – or lifts – and you’re transported into a bright, glittery and casino-esque foyer offering tickets, snacks and more. The atmosphere is exciting and I’m like a kid in a sweet shop.

While the IMAX is segregated from the rest of the screens with its own dedicated entrance, everything else can be found down the enticing red corridor. That’s when we spotted an intriguing room with the letters ‘ViP’ above the doors. I, being the curious and fearless person I am, bounded in – only to be greeted by a team of knowledgeable and energetic staff members that were keen to explain what ‘ViP’ was.

It definitely does what it says on the tin, because being in this private lounge certainly makes you feel very important. And having access to this area leaves you wanting for nothing, because here’s what you get for the price:

• An unlimited buffet offering delicious stuffed crust pizza, mac ‘n’ cheese, chilli con carne, soup and garlic bread; an unlimited dessert station with bottomless ice cream, cupcakes, brownies, millionaire’s shortbread and more; and bottomless soft drinks
• An exclusive bar area offering many different tipples (although alcoholic drinks aren’t included in the price)
• A bottomless ‘cinema snacks’ area, where you can pick up unlimited hot dogs, nachos (with a special machine distributing cheese sauce), warm popcorn and refrigerated bottles of water – and you can take all this into your movie with you
• Two exclusive ViP screens seating an intimate audience of 40 each – complete with fully reclining leather seats.

I expected this to be crazy expensive. Like, £60-odd. I mean think about it: you get your film, you get unlimited food, desserts and drinks (all of which are restaurant quality) and you get the pleasure of a private and comfortable lounge area. And bearing in mind I’ve regularly spent £40-50 at other cinemas for my film and snacks, I didn’t even want to imagine the costs.

£32. All-in. And our lovely ViP tour guide informed us that if you’re a Cineworld Unlimited member then it’s even cheaper. And that’s a whoooole other thing – Cineworld Unlimited is a steal at just £18.40pm, entitling you to unlimited films, advanced screenings, discounts on food and drink, and more.

So anyway, after eating our body weight in buffet food, we grabbed movie snacks such as popcorn and drinks and headed into our screen. We were booked to see Jumanji: The Next Level in the unique ScreenX – a 270 degree projection that involves the movie spilling over onto wall panels either side of you while you watch.

This experience has to be seen to be believed. It’s unlike anything else – it doesn’t give off a 3D effect, but it’s certainly immersive. When the side panels first kicked in (they aren’t on constantly through the film – just in the ‘chaotic’ bits when there’s a lot to look at) we felt a bit sick. The height of the screen – it’s rather steep to say the least – and the three different panels all showing the film would trigger vertigo in anyone.

That being said, you quickly get used to it; and it’s a real experience that I’d recommend to anyone. I actually think I prefer it to 3D as you’re not isolated by a pair of glasses – it’s an experience that everyone in the cinema shares with you.

The film itself was thoroughly enjoyable. I’d never seen a Jumanji movie before and so I didn’t really know what I was about to watch. My only regret was not seeing Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, as it had quite a few references to it that I either didn’t get or that went way over my head.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a real giggler. So putting me into a quiet cinema to watch a film that starred Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danny DeVito and Jack Black was a big mistake. At one point I laughed so hard that my face and top were drenched with tears of laughter. No exaggeration – I still have patches of smudged foundation on my jumper sleeve. Look out for the Kebabak Brothers bit.

Plot-wise the movie was a little weak. A bunch of friends meet up a year after their terrifying escapades escaping Jumanji (which is now a video game and not a board game), and for absolutely no clear reason at all, one of them decides to fix the game they destroyed and go back in. On his own. Without telling anyone. When his friends find the console they decide to go in after him. Idiots. I’d have reported him missing and moved on. They’re clearly better friends than me.

Despite the plot holes, I’d watch the movie again. I laughed a lot. A lot, a lot. Almost all the way through. And I’d definitely watch it again if I could watch it at Cineworld.