Movies should be seen the old-fashioned way: at the theatre
I'd rather experience a movie as it was meant to be seen, without the gimmicks
Anupma ThakurPicture this: you’re about to see a movie.
You have your snacks, and the lights are coming down. The trailers build your excitement. As the studio logos flash by, you don’t know what you are about to see, but it has the potential to inspire, to capture your imagination. That is the same experience everyone else in the auditorium is feeling. Together, you all go through the film, laughing, crying, and cheering.
In light of streaming services providing new ways for us to consume entertainment, it may be tempting to stay home instead of going to the theatre. Higher prices for admission and a number of other factors also make going to the movies less appealing. However, there is something to be lost by not seeing movies the way they were intended to be seen.
The theatre experience just cannot be replicated at home or on a phone screen. When I think of my favourite movie-going experiences, such as Blade Runner 2049, Dunkirk, and most recently Ford v Ferrari, I remember them so clearly because of the scale of the films, the booming audio and enhanced visuals. Even watching smaller movies like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri on the big screen is a treat.
Of course, not everything about the movies is fun. For example, we’ve probably all been annoyed with a fellow audience member. Whether it was a seat kicker, someone texting, or someone getting up in the middle of the movie, they’re always out there. I vividly recall during a particularly emotional scene in Logan, an audience member answered a phone call very loudly. But I believe that the pros of going to the theatre outweigh the cons, and the chances of running into those types of people is low.
To compete with streaming services, movie theatre chains have started changing how they present their films. Cineplex announced in July that more specialized auditoriums will be coming to theatres. This includes wrap-around screens and “multi-sensory 3D viewing experience[s].” I think this is a mistake.
Rather than having to pay extra for brand new gimmicks, I would much rather have lower ticket prices and faster service. I certainly don’t need to be enjoying a New York steak while watching Star Wars, or actually smelling The Rock’s sweat in The Fast and The Furious movies. Not only do these raise the cost of the bill, they may distract from the film itself, which defeats the purpose of seeing it in the first place.
Film has the powerful ability to captivate audiences, to express emotion, and begin conversations. Let us never forget how they are meant to be seen: at the theatre, without any fancy tricks.
