Can I afford a trip to the cinema?

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I’m sure the title gives more than a hint of what issue this article’s going to address! In a global recession, the cost of a trip to the cinema seems to be spiralling. This may be partly due to the introduction of 3D and the extra charges levied  on these perceived ‘premium cinema experiences’, but to date I have been left largely unimpressed. For the occasional movie, where 3D was included from its inception, I can see it’s merits. Avatar was a prime example of this. I didn’t see it on IMAX but at my local Odeon, but still it was pretty impressive. What has my goat (and my sheep, lama and alpaca too) is that the whole of Hollywood seems to have jumped on the bandwagon and made all their films 3D, even though they weren’t intended to be, and have been made that way with lazy post-conversion. For those films I’m forced to fork out a small fortune for a ticket (I think it’s around £9 at ours) and then I keep forgetting to take the damn 3D glasses from previous showings with me so that’s another couple of quid (I’ve got a glove compartment full of the damn things!).

I wouldn’t mind as much if there was equal provision of 2D showings for those of us that aren’t bothered with the new 3D fad, but there aren’t. Sure, in the first week of a films release they’ll have one screen showing the 2D version, but miss that week and the 2D showings drop to once a day at 5.30 am! I went to see Thor in 3D the other week (not a 2D showing to be found at that time). The 3D effect of the opening credits was quite good so I sat there waiting to be impressed. Once the live action started however there was very little 3D to be seen. I took my glasses off at one point and the image looked just like a regular 2D one! I’m off to see Captain America tomorrow (opening night), a mate and I want to have a meal and then go see the film. There’s a 2D showing at 7pm, too early to get a meal in, then the prime time showings at 8 and 9pm are both 3D. The next 2D showing isn’t until 10 o’clock at flippin’ night! I’m guessing we’re going to a 3D showing, I’m going to staple a pair of the glasses from my glove compartment to my shirt so I don’t forget ‘em this time!

I understand that cinema’s may be being hit hard. What with a global recession and the rise of the home cinema, I can see why more and more people are missing theatrical releases and waiting for the DVD/Blu-ray to hit the shelves. I don’t see it as good business sense to make up for that shortfall by charging the remaining loyal few more and more for a night out watching a film.

I’m not sure that I ever really new the dynamics of how cinemas worked and made money. I always thought that for each ticket sold some would go back to the movie studio and some would stay with the cinema. I can’t remember where I read it now, but apparently that’s not how it works. For a big hollywood blockbuster the studios get pretty much 100% of the ticket price back for the first few weeks of release (when most people go see the film). It’s only after 3 or 4 weeks that the cinema actually gets to keep some of the money for themselves and by that time bums on seats have declined sharply. I now know why they charge such ridiculous money for refreshments, in the early weeks of release it’s the only profit they’re making. I still don’t want to pay £3 for a pack of Revels though.

For the wife and I to actually go to the cinema together (an all too rare occasion these days), it could well end up costing around £30. Two tickets, her mammoth box of popcorn that she insists on munching, a drink for both of us to share (who can drink even the small one on their own) and some pick n’ mix for me (I’m a bit heavy-handed with the little shovels!). If you then factor in the £20 for babysitting and that’s one damn expensive film. Why pay that when we can wait three months and watch it in the comfort of our own home on a big LCD (no projector yet, but I’m working on it!) with HD surround sound.

I still love a trip to the cinema ‘casue I come from a generation where it was a real treat. When the current generation of kids have grown up will they be as bothered? By then a small TV will be 60″ and there’ll be something with a better resolution than 1080p HD. People have always whinged about the cost of the cinema, but in a light-hearted way. I think it’s starting to get to the point where people are seriously resenting the price hikes and are staying away, and I can’t say that I really blame them.

Do you think prices have gotten out of hand? Is 3D just another chance to charge extra or does it really add to the cinematic experience?