The Phantom Menace in 3D

[Archon Revuge]

So I went to the first scheduled screening at Readings in Wellington this morning. There were six of us in the cinema.

I know it was a weekday morning, but this did seem a little odd...

But as for the film - t'was excellent

[Buzz Bumble]

according to the Hoyts website, they offer it in 2D as well.

Yep, it says the same in the listings in yesterday's NZ Herald TimeOut magazine section - great for those who get sick at 3D showings. IMAX is still listing just Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

[fredstar]

2D Really?

I wouldn't waste my money on the 2D Version if you already have the Blu Rays

It's exactly the same.

But if you love pop-corn then go for it

[Buzz Bumble]

It's exactly the same.

Except the screen is MUCH larger.

There's a whole new generation of fans who have never seen any of the movies on the big screen, and some will either feel sick watching 3D or simply don't want to pay the (even more) over-bloated ticket price.

There were six of us in the cinema.

I know it was a weekday morning, but this did seem a little odd...

"Odd"?!? It's peacful and you actually get to watch the movie. That's why I only ever go to the cinema, on the rare occasions I go at all, during the day in the week (except during school holidays).

[Anaria]

The recent Hoyts email listed Ep1 in the 'last chance' section - only 1 or 2 sessions a day according to the website. Event still has 2-3 sessions a day at their cinemas.

[Buzz Bumble]

It's only been a week, so it can't be doing very well. I had noticed the dwindling number of sessions in the newspaper. I've been too busy to go this week and probably at least the first few days of next week. I might miss out seeing it, like I did with the last two Special Editions. if I do get there there's no weekday sessions, so I'm stuck with the afterschool sessions and noisy kids. (Hopefully the job on Monday at 2:00pm won't take too long and I can get there.)

One of the competitions for tickets only closed yesterday, so the winners won't even get their tickets until Saturday (at the earliest).

[MattG]

It's only been a week, so it can't be doing very well...

No, it doesn't bode well

[Buzz Bumble]

According to Flicks.co.nz's Box Office figures (up to 12 February, the weekend after its release), Episode I 3D was:

• no. 5 in New Zealand
• no. 4 in America
• no. 3 in the United Kingdom

Seems like pretty good numbers to me, especially considering it's really a re-release of the same movie. Numbers must have dropped dramatically since then. Of course it doesn't help that schools had started back and the price of a 3D cinema ticket (even more over-bloated than normal 2D ones).

[MattG]

Agree; it was a shame that they started just after school went back, but yeah, hitting number 5 isn't too bad.

[Buzz Bumble]

The Episode I 2D sessions are completely gone. Tintin is still playing in quite a few sessions considering how old it now is, and IMAX is still playing Mission Impossible.

... the Berkeley cinema in Takapuna (North Shore) plays old movies every Sunday at 3:00pm ...

I see in today's Weekend Herald listings that the Te Awa Hoyts Cinema (Hamilton) also plays old movies in the 3:00pm, Sunday ("Pop Culture") session. This weekend is Rocky Horror Picture Show at Takapuna and Back to the Future at Te Awa.