Movie Theater Review: IMAX Theater SM Megamall

Author's Note: Sorry for the late one, been pretty busy with my school works lately.


It's not my first time watching here, I've been watching movies here for quiet a while now.

"SM Megamall Fashion Hall"
Courtesy of: wikipedia.org

SM Megamall is located at EDSA, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

"IMAX Theater Front"

IMAX Theater Megamall is located at the 5th floor of Fashion Hall at SM Megamall.



SM Megamall is really popular in Mandaluyong city. It has become a one-stop place for meet ups with friends, hangouts, shopping, and dining.

IMAX Theater Megamall opened alongside with Fashion Hall on January 26th 2014.

Without further ado, let's talk about the theater.

"The Entrance to the Cinema Lobby"

When I first walked in the lobby first thing in the morning and ordered the ticket, I was the first customer to arrive and bought a ticket.

I went on a Friday afternoon, again like in the last review people are at work or schools around that time.

Based on my experience from the past couple of years going here, it's only crowded when a popular blockbuster is playing on the theater (especially marvel movies) first to last showing.

"The movie schedule by the capture of this image"

But in the case of First Man its not really popular in the country and because of that its only showing on day time.

"IMAX Logo"

"Ticket Booth"

"Me and my friend's tickets"

The movie tickets cost ₱455. This is my second time watching a 2D movie at IMAX (First being Dunkirk at IMAX SM Mall of Asia).

In my past experiences the tickets cost ₱500 or ₱502, maybe because its a 3D movie that time not sure.

Be wary of ticket price change.

Typically when people hear the word "IMAX" they think its a giant 3D theater but no, its basically a giant screen theater with their own proprietary projection and sound system that's all. (for now..)

"The view of the outside from the lobby"

"Lobby Seats"

"The Food Bar"

"Entrance to the theater"

Now let's talk about the inside of the theater

Here's what the theater itself look like (Reference):

Courtesy of: spot.ph

Here are the photos I took inside the theater:

"A IMAX Speaker"

So.. what do I think of the theater?

It's good

Still performs well as my previous visits.

The giant screen still looks clean

Solid projection

Great sound you can feel the sound thunder all over your body and hear the smallest details of the movie.

The lunar sequence of the movie fills the whole screen, (Because it was shot on IMAX Cameras) and with that you can see more things than watching on a traditional movie screen.

Seats are good. Recommend you siting either somewhere in the middle or at the far back.

Conclusion:

Watching a 2D IMAX movie is like watching a movie on a good theater if the lunar sequence wasn't shot on IMAX.

Watching First man on IMAX is a great experience overall.

But with other movies that aren't shot with IMAX cameras the experience is on par with Santolan Town Plaza Cinemas (Atmos Cinemas 1 & 2) (Review) and Greenhills Promenade Atmos theaters (Cinemas 6, 7, and 8) minus the giant screen.

If you're looking for a theater with almost the same IMAX feel but on a tight budget I suggest you looking for a theater equipped with Dolby Atmos sound and it's cheaper than a IMAX ticket. (Depends on the theater)

But if you're willing to watch a movie just for the giant screen and humongous sound then IMAX is for you.

To end this review, Here's my advice:

Watch a movie in IMAX only if there's a scene or a sequence shot with IMAX Cameras.

Courtesy of: Universal Pictures

First Man is still showing on its third week.

Book your tickets now!: https://www.smcinema.com/Menu?exp=IM&t1=0&t2=0

To learn more about IMAX: https://www.imax.com/

Credits to:

IMAX SM Cinemas: https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/
UIP Philippines: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/