Toy Story 3D - a review

 
Grown up Andy and Mum                              Andy with Buzz and Woody

EXPENSIVE TICKETS

 I've just been in England for a holiday visiting family in Somerset and as a treat we took our, now grown up children, to see Toy Story 3D at the Odeon, Taunton and was quite taken aback to be charged 65 pounds for 6 adults.  It fair took my breath away.  We were asked to pay one pound for the glasses which are now ours to keep but essential to have the glasses so very unfair.   I felt swizzed at this marketing technique.  I declined the offer to pay an extra two pounds each for 'luxury' seats which would have made this outing 77 pounds and of course there were unnecessary sweeties and fizzy beverages on top of that.

 

HONG KONG PRICE

I thought you might be interested to learn that I did a quick search online upon returning home to find that the equivalent movie experience in Hong Kong would have been 27 pounds for 6 adults which includes the glasses which you give back as you leave the cinema.  Only the IMAX screen would have been more expensive and at the present exchange rate comes to just under 50 pounds for 6 people, still giving the glasses back at the end.

 

I did feel at one point like I was in a Hong Kong movie theatre however, as the Chinese man in front of me did take a call on his mobile during the film.

 

EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH ANDY

As for the movie, yes it was great.  Having seen the first one 40 zillion times on a VHS tape when my children were younger I am emotionally attached to Andy, Woody, Buzz and obviously Mr & Mrs Potatohead.  I wasn't disappointed.  All the favourites were in it.  It was selectively amusing to all ages and at times exciting with many nods and references to the original story.  I am not at all convinced the 3D element made any difference to my viewing pleasure (that was a note for the good Dr Kermode).

 

BLUB WARNING

A word of warning to mums and dads though.  Be prepared for a little tear and perhaps a cough to cover your sobs.  You see I have children who were young when the first Toy Story came out and are now just humouring me by agreeing to see the new one.  I think I am Andy's Mum. Gulp!

Comments

[watch movies]

Your problem is know for all over the world but it's the first time I hear that you actually pay extra for the eyeglasses and take them - like we have what to do with them afterwards ... any way the movie is fantastic ! I felt almost like you but I were Andy I felt so bad for giving my toys away ...excellent movie!

[Jo]

It was raining last week so we took Xtina & Eilidh to the movies as needed to get them out of the house so 3 adults + 1 child ticket came to £24. I know thats not so much as you paid, but I was quite shocked. Like you refused to buy sweets & drinks, so wasn't very popular with the kids. Oh yes & it cost £6 to park the car, but this was less than the return ticket into Cardiff. Everything here seems to be extremely expensive. Moan over. Toy Story 3 however is a fab movie.

[LESLEY]

I saw Beouwolf in 3D and thought it was fantastic. Other than that I can't see that it makes any difference to viewing pleasure infact I find the glasses annoying, although in Hong Kong you give them back at the end so they are recycled. 3D telly - no thanks.

I think the idea is to make it more difficult to make pirated copies and sell them in China.

[Sean]

I am convinced that everything in the UK is very overpriced. 77 pounds = $935HKD That is ridiculous. How can the average British family afford a trip to the movies at that price? I am not convinced that this 3D trend will catch on. Do you know of anyone that has purchased a 3D TV? I can't imagine that many things are filmed in 3D at this point. If you have a 3D TV though, do you have to wear those stupid little glasses just to watch the 6 O'clock news? I'd always be losing them and I suppose they are expensive? Plus you would have to have multiple pairs for family and friends. 3D doesn't sound like an affordable option at this point.