An engaging sword duel takes place on the big screen, as Logan Lerman and Mads Mikkelsen battle it out on the roof of the Notre Dame cathedral. Typically, this would be a movie scene enjoyed casually – but the moment Logan’s sword misses a strike and comes darting out of the screen, at your face, the movie becomes a reality.
The Majestic Cineplex (A Ceylon Theatres Ltd cinema), was baptised with Sri Lanka’s first ever 3D cinema – hoping to thrill the audiences with a whole new experience.
“We decided that it was time the Sri Lankan audiences get the much awaited 3D cinematic experience”, says Mr. Joseph Page, the Deputy Chairman of CT Land Developments, “We started construction in June, and managed to bring down the technology directly from the States, along with the special 3D glasses”. Mr. Page states that the initial costs were high – but the viewer experience along with the privilege of being the first to bring down the technology was immense.
“The 3D cinema, named Superior, is our star attraction”, says Mr. Thusitha De Alwis, Publicity Manager of the Ceylon Theatres Limited. “We hope to cater to every aspect of a movie-lover”, Mr. De Alwis adds.
Currently screening at the 3D cinema , is a remake if an old classic, The Three Musketeers, and we step into the cinema to see what 3D is all about. The experience is indeed extraordinary, as captions seems to float a few millimetres in front of us and birds fly at your face – you do tend to naively dodge the occasional bird. After all, it is a first-time. A real treat to the eyes was a scene depicting two airships, battling it out in mid-air, and the clouds meander across your eyes – taking you as close as possible to being a part of the movie.
The ‘Superior’, uses the Dolby 3D technology which is one of the best around providing a head-ache free experience, with up-to-date features such as automated filter retraction and white-screen compatibility. Thus the ‘Superior’ succeeds in living up to the high expectations.
Another highlight of the hall was the recliner type seats that almost feel god-sent to us movie folk, who have been tortured with uncomfortable and shaky seats in the past. At the Majestic 3D hall, you don’t have to spend the entire length of the movie shifting sides until you feel comfortable.
The queue at the ticket counter to the 3D Cinema is not incredibly long, with a few gatherings of people scattered around, although we foresee the cinema to be packed in future. “I’ve never experienced this type of cinema”, says Akshay Manoharan, an avid movie lover who was there for the show. “It was beyond my expectations”. While, Sajin Alles, another movie addict says that the overall experience was amazing but it would be better if the 3D glasses were disposable.
The ‘Superior (3D)’, can house up to 175 viewers with the ticket being priced at Rs.600. The special 3D glasses are handed out upon entering and recollected at the end of the movie. While the question of eye infections can be raised, Mr. Page states that a special machine, “rather like a dishwasher”, is used to disinfect the glasses after every screening.
However an option remains open for the viewers to buy the 3D glasses for Rs. 1750, and re-use it the next time.
The ‘Gold’, houses up to 50 viewers, and a ticket is priced at Rs. 750. The specialty being that a free meal is provided, along with a very personal feel to the movie, due to the limited number of seats. The ‘Gold’ indeed looks like a movie hall out of the future, with brilliant lighting and ergonomics.
The ‘Ultra’, seats up to 148 viewers and the tickets are priced at Rs. 400. Being the more relaxed, out of the three new cinema halls, ‘Ultra’ promises a good movie experience.
The ‘Platinum’, or as some would call it the good-old Majestic cinema has been revamped and fitted with a new screen. “We plan on making it 3D in the future, to enhance the experience of the movie loving crowd”, says Mr. Page.
The lobby at the Cineplex is large enough to house elephants – if they took up watching movies that is. Other services have also been notched up to proved the complete experience, and Ceylon Theatres hope to attract crowds of all ages to this amazing spectacle. With three musketeers ending their sword duels (after almost stabbing you in the eye), we step out of a truly amazing 3D experience. Majestic Cineplex aims to be the ultimate spot for the ultimate cinematic experience in Sri Lanka.
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