Why We Were Tempted To Live-Blog Avengers: Endgame At Shaw Theatres Jewel
Here are a few things you should know about the new multiplex at Changi Airport Jewel.
If you stay in the east (like this writer), it’s really hard not to find a cineplex in the neighbourhood. Let’s see, there’s one at SingPost Centre, Parkway Parade, I12 Katong, Tampines Mall, Century Square, Leisure Park Kallang, Djitsun Mall Bedok, and the new shopping haven on the block, Jewel Changi Airport.
Jerry Bruckheimer once said he’s in the transport business, metaphorically ferrying audiences from one place to another. So it seems fitting there is a cineplex in an airport, catering to Jewel shoppers, passengers with long layovers (there are 24-hour theatres in Terminals 2 and 3 that screen second-run movies for free — Bumblebee, anyone?), folks with time to idle away after sending off their loved ones, and students cramming for exams…
On the off chance that you have yet to check out the 11-hall (including one IMAX theatre), 828-seat cineplex — that’s two-fifths of the capacity of Lido — at level B2 (‘cos you were busy queuing at A&W and Shake Shack, right?), here’s a rundown of some of the cineplex’s unique features, starting with…
It has longer operating hours!
You can stay up really late to catch a movie at Jewel. While it’s common for cineplexes to offer Double Midnight sessions — or screenings at 12mn and 2am — they usually have them on weekends. Over at Jewel, however, it’s every day. So rejoice, insomniacs, nocturnal creatures, and people who just want to avoid the suffocatingly insane human traffic. And you don’t have to wait till the weekend to do it.
Our take: We wanted to grab a late supper/early breakfast at Toast Box, Burger King (or any one of the countless 24-hour eateries) after the 1.50am showing of The Hustle. Just chill and not worry about the maddening daytime crowd. Then again, at that time, what else can you do? But the movie was so exhaustingly meh that we headed straight home to sleep it off instead. But this daily Double Midnight deal ends in July. “We will continue with it if the response is good,” a Shaw Theatres spokesperson tells 8 DAYS.
The Jewel in the East: Shaw Theatres Jewel has 11 halls, comprising of one IMAX screen, two Lumiere screens, one family-friendly Dreamers screen, and seven regular screens. The IMAX hall is the largest with 129 seats, and the smallest hall has 57. All in all, there are 828 seats.
It’s a high-end cineplex!
Everyone knows that you can’t have a cineplex in this day and age without the bells-and-whistles demanding moviegoers have to come to expect. Jewel has all the fancy-schmancy toys — the next-gen 4K IMAX laser projection system, the DTS: X technology, Barco laser projectors — designed to elevate the movie-theatre experience, delivering more oomph than your regular cineplex. But to make sure you get more bang for your bucks, you might have to watch the same movie twice to spot the difference.
We hear ya: Not only is the cineplex wheelchair accessible, it’s also wired with a hearing loop, a wireless sound system for people with hearing aids.
Our take: We caught Avengers: Endgame in IMAX 3D and enjoyed it better than the IMAX 3D version at Lido. Probably because it's projected with the latest IMAX with Laser. But we think the size of the hall plays a part as well: Jewel IMAX houses 129 seats while Lido has 319 — so the screen is a lot closer to the audience and hence, more, you know, immersive. Action flicks benefit most from such upgrades; comedies, not so much. Not sure you'll care if The Hustle has a kickass DTS: X soundtrack; no amount of sonic clarity and visual richness can improve that movie.
The halls have USB charging ports!
If the premium halls — Shaw’s Premiere at Nex, Golden Village’s Gold Class, Cathay’s Platinum Movie Suites — are the moviegoer’s answer to Business Class, then the two Lumiere halls (above) at Jewel represent the Premium Economy Class. An off-peak 2D ticket costs $8.50, but for an extra $9.50, you get comfortable reclining leather chairs, spacious leg room, serving tables, and even USB charging ports. So how’s that for getting pampered?
The red room: You can turn the twin seats into a couple seat by folding the armrest. Because the Lumiere is a small venue, it's easy to spot anyone engaging in any kind of low-level, low-risk hanky panky. The place is cozy, not secluded. Just saying.
Our take: So how different is the Lumiere experience from the similar ‘Premium Economy’ halls like GV’s Gemini Two-to-View ($26* per pair), Duo Deluxe ($15*), and Grand Seats ($15*) ? For starters, the Lumiere halls are smaller. Each hall has 26 seats whereas Gemini Two-to-View has 42 at GV City Square and 62 at GV Grand, while the Duo Deluxe at GV Paya Lebar has 58. As such, Lumiere offers a cozier setting. It feels like you’re a hotshot studio executive with his own viewing room. It’d also make a great place to throw a birthday screening party.
Power up: There it is — the USB charging port under the serving table, if you absolutely, positively need to juice your phone/tablet during the movie. Please, for all that is good and holy, refrain from using the phone. Don't turn this convenience into an inconvenience for others.
We have mixed feelings about the USB charging ports, though. Yes, they’re convenient but also potentially annoying. Does having those things around encourage people to use their phones during the movie? Seriously, what’s the point of paying extra for the luxury, only to have that ruined by the inconsiderate person next to you texting incessantly? For a split second, we thought about live-blogging Avengers: Endgame (our third viewing!), or better yet, live-blogging someone else’s reactions during the movie. Kidding. We respect the movies too much to do that. But if you want to do it, please do that in the back row. It’s less distracting.
* Off-peak price for 2D movies
It has a hall for kids!
Called Dreamers, the hall is catered to families, and will only screen — you guessed it — children and family-friendly movies. Imagine a playground. Indoors. With movies. You can read our assessment here.
Visit www.shaw.sg for details and other related promotions.
Photos: Shaw Theatres; Alvin Teo/8 DAYS/Digital Imaging: Pyron Tan/8 DAYS
Watch Now
Related Stories
Shopping
