Toronto Delivers

When you need to alter your routine and decide to see a movie, some of us would want to be whisped away from our daily lives... and you want to be in a theatre that will engage you, involve you with its distinctiveness, and provide with you with stellar service from all its representatives. You expect your popcorn to be hot, crispy and delish. You want the bathroom to be shiny and clean. You want rugs without marks and scuffs from the snow boots that trudge along its path. You want the seats to be comfortable and the area to be free of food debris.That unfortunately wasn't the case with Cineplex Odeon's Varsity but is the case with Varsity V.I.P when they occupy the same location! [These two are part of the Cineplex Entertainment of theatres which includes Famous Players, Colossus, Coliseum, Silver City, and Galaxy Odeon]

Varsity Experience: With our friends Chris and Steve, we head out to Theatre 8 of the Varsity to see Pan's Labyrinth [...which should be called Faun's Labyrinth but then again that's too much explanation I guess with questions from who is Faun? What is a Faun? to which Labyrinth? What Labyrinth? And then the whole whisping away to a netherworld would just fade away as quickly as a morning mist in a New York weekday rush - oh see the trailer here though and you'd really want to see it. Be prepared to read subtitles if you don't speak Spanish but don't let that stop you from seeing this violent/fantasy/horror movie. But I digress.] As it was a Monday there was only about 1/4 of the theatre occupied. The seats did not recline. Would be nice to have another 2 inches of space between seat rows. In NYC AMC's 25 Theatre on Times Square has portable tables that you can insert in the cup holders. Here you hold your pop corn. The carpets were clean though we saw a bit of spots heading to the washrooms; which had traces of toilet paper. Nothing major. These are easily fixable.

Varsity VIP Experience: Totally different experience here. There was a second agent that picks up your ticket. The four VIP theatres do not have movie posters so if the agent is not around, you will not be able to know where to go. Saw Casino Royale in Theatre 2. Since the agent was busy preparing the popcorn/drink combo of one of the guests, the second agent requirement became unmanned (and therefore anyone can just head in). As it was my first time, I got lost by going to another theatre. After a couple of embarrasing questions, I'm off to Theatre 2. The seats were comfy and wider and spaces between rows were accommodating. It's like going to a friend's living room with a huge huge flat screen TV. It would have been great if they swivel considering I paid $14 to get to the 7p show on a Friday. It was packed. If I counted this right, it sat about 16 people. There were tiny tables next to the seats so you can place your drinks and popcorn until you start eating the popcorn and it starts to topple over since there is no holder mechanism to hold it in place. A design/usability flaw vs. visual pleasantness issue; I'm sure. Carpet was clean. But since I sat at the back ensuring I view the whole screen, I could now hear the film rattling as it whirs away - quite annoying especially since I'm labeled a VIP in this theatre. A better soundproofing of the film room would be better. [btw for about 10 minutes there was an orphan hair follicle that was capturing everyone's attention as it was struggling to hang on smack on the right side of the frame - the film engineer had to stop the previews to pull this out - interesting to see the mechanics of the machine; an extra treat for my $14]

Overall rating? About to be World Class. The idea is there. Just minor implementation issues that could be rectified with a stronger eye from the supervisor. Keep up the cleanliness and it will be a quick fav of the tourists.

Details:
Located at 55 Bloor St. W (Manulife Centre) | Varsity Theatres License #: 4685923 | Class: A | 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto| (416) 961-6304 | Click here for the Map | Payment Options - MasterCard | 12 Screens | Wheelchair access

Click here for Showtimes for Varsity VIP and click here for Varsity Cinemas