By Hiruni Herath
The Movie
If you’ve watched the movie trailer for Baz Luharmann’s Elvis, you would basically know the whole plot of the movie. But there are hidden gems and wonderful moments in the movie which makes it well worth the visit to the cinema. Watching the movie, you are given a brief glimpse into the man behind the talent, the fame and the sex appeal. But as the trailer suggests, the movie doesn’t focus on the man himself but rather his superstardom. You don’t need to be a fan of Elvis Presley to watch this movie. If you have any interest in music, the music industry, or even history, Elvis is a good movie to watch.
While movies are frequently having a shorter run time, Elvis is two hours and 39 minutes long which might be a bit difficult for some to watch in one sitting but well worth it if you make it to the movie theater. There were some boring parts of the movie but they were immediately picked up by the glitz and glamor. Austin Butler definitely doesn’t disappoint in his role as Elvis Presley. His performance from rags to riches is heart warming and thrilling at the same time. It also doesn’t hurt that Austin Butler is literal eye candy on the screen. Tom Hanks in his role as Colonel Parker also manages to make his way into your heart, whether because of love or hatred is for you to find out by watching the movie.
The Experience
It’s always a pleasure to walk into Scope cinemas, be it at Liberty in Kollupitiya, the one at One Galle Face or the one that might be the most convenient, the Scope Cinema at Colombo City Center. Stepping into the premise of the cinema, there is always a sense of anticipation that the audience brings along, be it for the new Minions movie or the biopic of Elvis Presley. Seeing the huge posters for the upcoming movies just adds to that anticipation and excitement.
You can book your seats online or buy the tickets at the counter there. But whichever way you choose to get your tickets, you’re sure to have the most efficient and helpful service from the staff at Scope Cinemas. Even if you choose to buy tickets just before the movie, you don’t have to stand in line for long because the staff has got their work well organized. The snack bar can get a bit crowded since it takes time for the staff to get the food ready and together but it’s never a long wait and well worth it for something to munch on during the movie.
The plush seats in the cinema hall almost put me to sleep but the excitement of the movie definitely kept me awake. The fact that the seats slide down is just an extra brownie point because they are super comfortable. You could even just take a nap if it’s a slow going movie. Paying for a movie ticket and taking a super comfortable nap is not a bad deal but the sound system at Scope Cinemas is sure to keep you awake. We watched Elvis in the 2D cinema hall but the sound quality was still top notch and the screen kept in a good condition. One of our pet peeves when going to the cinema is to see a screen that is discolored and blotchy but you definitely won’t find any screens like that at Scope Cinemas.
Book your seats
Now if you choose to book your seats online, you will be at an advantage of picking the best seat possible rather than buying the tickets just before the movie starts, when all the best seats are taken. You can book your tickets through the Scope Cinemas website or through the Bookmyshow website. The Scope Cinema website also has great offers and deals for you to explore, especially if you are a Scope privilege member.
A word of advice to moviegoers, everyone says that the middle to back rows are the best but you have to try the front seats at least once to get the best experience. Definitely try it for a 3D or action packed movie so you can have an unobstructed view of all the drama. So next time you book your ticket, you can try to get the front row seats if you’re feeling adventurous.
Snack Bar
Another thing that you should try out at least once is the food prepared by the Scope Cinemas chef behind the counter. The Hot Kitchen items will tempt you away from the traditional popcorn with their mouthwatering smell and deliciousness. But the popcorn is always a great option too. A personal favorite is the cheese, which some people don’t enjoy but for them, there is chocolate or the butter salt.
Conclusion
Elvis is a good movie but people might consider that it’s only for a niche audience of Elvis fans, but it’s also for general moviegoers who might be interested in music or history. It’s always a good thing to watch and learn from the life of a famous personality and an infamous sex symbol.
As for the experience at Scope Cinemas, there are absolutely no complaints to be made. Every visit prior to this viewing has also been the best and Scope Cinemas continue to deliver the best. Every time I go into the venue promising myself that I won’t get some popcorn, the delicious smells always take me to the snack bar. Booking tickets online or just walking in even still guarantees the best experience at Scope Cinemas.
If you want to hype yourself up to watch the movie, you can click on this spotify link to listen to some of Elvis Presley’s songs.
Location: Colombo City Center, 3rd Floor
Website: https://www.scopecinemas.com/
Contact: +94 11 2083064
Instagram: @scopecinemasFacebook: Scope Cinemas
