I’ve been thinking about the experience of attending a movie in a theater, and how it compares to staying in to watch a film. I often feel conflicted, with my current opinion being adjusted based on the most recent experience I’ve had in a theater.
When I saw Avengers: Endgame for the first time, it was near the front of a theater, and I saw it in 3D. The guy sitting next to me was making jokes about the 3D experience to his girlfriends for the first 5 or so minutes of the movie, and that was really annoying. Later on in the movie, someone’s kid (maybe even a baby) cried for a minute. It’s those experiences that really ruin the movies for a lot of people.
But, most of the time I actually enjoy the experience. I don’t usually see movies right when they come out, and I try to pick times that won’ be quite as busy. I like going to a theater and getting a big thing of popcorn and some candy (almost always Buncha Crunch), and sitting in an increasingly comfortable seat.
I think part of the reason that I still enjoy theaters is that I don’t have some incredible set-up for a movie at home. It requires me to sit at my desk with headphones on, the lights out (if I actually care enough at the time), and that really is not a “cinematic” experience. Of course I watch a lot of media that way by default, but there is an excitement to seeing a film while it’s in theaters, not having to make your own popcorn or worry about sound levels. I assume the film is shot to be viewed in a theater, and so it’s good to see it in that way.
Perhaps when I’m older and have the space, I can get an actual TV with actual speakers set up,and my opinion will likely change. But for now, attending movies (even though I go alone) is a lot of fun. This Sunday, I went to a special screening of Saving Private Ryan. I’d never actually seen it before, although it’s been high on my mental watch-list. It was fantastic, and really striking to see it in a theater for my first time. Furthermore, because it was a special event of sorts, there were very few people in the theater. The people who were there seemed to love the movie and were as engrossed as me the entire time.
That’s the sort of experience that is wonderful about going to the movies. With the right environment, you are sharing some emotional connection with a room full of strangers. You all contribute to the atmosphere surrounding the film, and in the best circumstances that greatly improves the film in my eyes.
So, I will keep seeing movies in theaters for the time being, even those that are not blockbuster hits on an opening weekend. I still find it a great way to see a movie, if you play the game correctly.