Image by matchity via Flickr
It seems a while since my last visit to see a 3D movie at the Scala in Prestatyn (@ScalaPrestatyn), actually the last 3D movie I saw there was Avatar, so it was about time that I had another visit, this time to see the new Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.
Since my last visit the Scala has the Real 3D system instead of the active 3D that they had when I saw Avatar, but it’s just as good.
Anyway on to what I think of the film, more about the Scala later 😉
This is the 4th movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise subtitled, On Stranger Tides, with a further adventure of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and his eccentric behaviour as he travels around the high seas swashing his buckle 😆
And though this film is a roller coaster ride through the world of 3D it just doesn’t seem to hit the mark, yes it’s fun, yes it has a collection of characters from the previous movies, but, something just seems to be missing.
I can’t really put my finger on it, but this film didn’t seem to grab me as much as the first two and it just seemed to lose its flow from time to time, don’t get me wrong it’s a fun romp in the pirate world, but I just can’t put my finger on what’s missing!
If you have seen the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies then like me, you will enjoy it, but don’t expect too much from the story, it’s a race against time to find the fountain of youth so that Captain Black Beard (Ian McShane) and that’s about it really!
The 3D is quite good, in places, it’s nowhere near as good as the 3D in Avatar, but it still works, with crowd scenes, like the court room, proving that 3D can really put you in the film, but we do get those obligatory scenes where something is purposely thrust in to the audience, such as Barbossa’s sword swaying around. Those types of things always remind me of the days of bad 3D, such as Friday the 13th 3D, where the clothes prop was waved at the audience for no exaggerated reason.
But I did enjoy the film and it made a great night out at the Scala in Prestatyn, so for that I will give Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. 2.5/5.
So now on to a little bit about my visit to the Scala in Prestatyn.
As I mentioned earlier the last 3D movie here was Avatar, so it was nice to get back to a cinema that has so many different things going on and polite friendly staff.
We got there at 6:30pm last night and managed to get a parking space almost right outside the entrance, so easy parking for me there then 😉
As the Scala is listed with Orange for 2 for 1 on a Wednesday night it only cost me £7.60 for two tickets, if I didn’t have any 3D glasses these are 80p extra per person, so recycle people keep your glasses.
One of the things I like about the Scala is that are Wale’s first full digital cinema offering full high-definition screening of films, which you can really see when you see a movie there, crystal clear picture and amazing sound. But, they are not just a cinema, they are an arts centre and also have the ability to cater for conferences etc. Not many cinemas can offer that 😉
Something I yet to try at the Scala is the “Cafe Bar” called Saronies, I have heard that the meals are nice and you can even get a movie and a meal for just £10, sounds good to me, maybe I should pop in for a meal and review 😉 😉
Overall, from my experience from visiting the Scala, I do have to say that it is my preferred cinema of choice and with so much going on and prices that are good value, it has to be said that even though it only has two screens, it still manages to beat the competition with polite staff and competitive prices.
So top marks to the Scala and keep them 3D films coming 😉
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
