A couple of months back, I returned to the movie theaters for the experience. I missed that during the height of Covid.
It took a bit to get me back. Certainly, safety was a priority. But, interestingly enough, it took some time before a flick came out that generated interest.
For almost 18 months, no one went to a movie in a public space. For those who are film buffs, this was hard, as you want the sound, sight and first-hand experience of seeing something on the full screen.
I thought the urge to see something in a theater rather than at home on a television screen would be overwhelming, but it really wasn’t.
As I scanned what was coming out and peaked my curiosity, there wasn’t much as the world started to open up. Finally, “The Forever Purge” made it to the screen, and as a fan of the others in the series, I knew I wanted to see what was up next.
“The Forever Purge” met my expectations. Much of the rest of the experience didn’t.
I didn’t drive in with high expectations. Instead, entertainment and being engaged by the plot line were the keys. Those goals were met.
What occurred to me afterwards was how other aspects of being inside the complex wore on me. For example, I typically like watching the previews. They pick the good stuff to titillate you with. Yeah, it’s redundant and violent typically, but it can also give you a quick thrill.
This first time back out, I found each preview boring, predictable and loaded with crashes and shootings. I don’t need any of that. Rather than waiting with anticipation, thinking, “hmmmm, I’d like to go see that,” I instead went to myself, “never going to see that.” Sadly, that applied to all the previews.
Then there are the posters of upcoming flicks in the halls. I go early to shows so I can meander the soft carpet and peruse what’s coming next.
Again, this was a total disappointment. My thought process went like this, “Hollywood has had 18 months to come up with some really cool and unique story lines. That certainly hasn’t happened.”
Instead, the wall posters were cartoons, reruns of reruns, take-offs on similar subjects, shoot ‘em ups, unbelievable dystopian futures, and others than seemed beyond the believability range.
“I waited 18 months for this?” Each stop to look at a poster drew disappointment.
Then, there was the popcorn. I do like popcorn. Yeah, it’s monumentally expensive. Probably takes 25 cents to make and they charge you five bucks for the smallest bag. But, it’s part of the experience, and with the right amount of butter, it’s perfect to sit and munch on in your cushioned seat.
Maybe it was a bad day or a bad batch of kernels, or my expectations were too high (something our mother always warned us about). Regardless, the popcorn let me down, tasting stale and lifeless. Rather than heightening the experience (and, isn’t it all about the experience?), it weakened the experience.
The movie was good if you like the Purge series. They threw some new stuff at us, a few twists to the plot, with some good dialogue and some issues for you to consider afterwards. The rest of the experience I could do without. I haven’t been back. It’s going to take a damn good movie to get me there.
It took a bit to get me back. Certainly, safety was a priority. But, interestingly enough, it took some time before a flick came out that generated interest.
For almost 18 months, no one went to a movie in a public space. For those who are film buffs, this was hard, as you want the sound, sight and first-hand experience of seeing something on the full screen.
I thought the urge to see something in a theater rather than at home on a television screen would be overwhelming, but it really wasn’t.
As I scanned what was coming out and peaked my curiosity, there wasn’t much as the world started to open up. Finally, “The Forever Purge” made it to the screen, and as a fan of the others in the series, I knew I wanted to see what was up next.
“The Forever Purge” met my expectations. Much of the rest of the experience didn’t.
I didn’t drive in with high expectations. Instead, entertainment and being engaged by the plot line were the keys. Those goals were met.
What occurred to me afterwards was how other aspects of being inside the complex wore on me. For example, I typically like watching the previews. They pick the good stuff to titillate you with. Yeah, it’s redundant and violent typically, but it can also give you a quick thrill.
This first time back out, I found each preview boring, predictable and loaded with crashes and shootings. I don’t need any of that. Rather than waiting with anticipation, thinking, “hmmmm, I’d like to go see that,” I instead went to myself, “never going to see that.” Sadly, that applied to all the previews.
Then there are the posters of upcoming flicks in the halls. I go early to shows so I can meander the soft carpet and peruse what’s coming next.
Again, this was a total disappointment. My thought process went like this, “Hollywood has had 18 months to come up with some really cool and unique story lines. That certainly hasn’t happened.”
Instead, the wall posters were cartoons, reruns of reruns, take-offs on similar subjects, shoot ‘em ups, unbelievable dystopian futures, and others than seemed beyond the believability range.
“I waited 18 months for this?” Each stop to look at a poster drew disappointment.
Then, there was the popcorn. I do like popcorn. Yeah, it’s monumentally expensive. Probably takes 25 cents to make and they charge you five bucks for the smallest bag. But, it’s part of the experience, and with the right amount of butter, it’s perfect to sit and munch on in your cushioned seat.
Maybe it was a bad day or a bad batch of kernels, or my expectations were too high (something our mother always warned us about). Regardless, the popcorn let me down, tasting stale and lifeless. Rather than heightening the experience (and, isn’t it all about the experience?), it weakened the experience.
The movie was good if you like the Purge series. They threw some new stuff at us, a few twists to the plot, with some good dialogue and some issues for you to consider afterwards. The rest of the experience I could do without. I haven’t been back. It’s going to take a damn good movie to get me there.