Vue Islington, Islington, London

Multiplex cinemas have so little personality that usually there’s not much to say about them, except that they show so many films that there’s always something you want to see.
This one always has a particularly well balanced choice of semi-arty and totally commercial stuff.
The Islington Vue is an average multiplex, comfortable and conveniently located, but it can’t be right to pay for a water and a pop corn almost as much as the ticket.

Now I like to think of myself as a bit of a film buff, and when I go to the cinema I tend to go to the indie ones to see films with subtitles or unknown casts rather than big budget blockbusters at massive chain cinemas like the Vue, but despite my desire to paint myself as a cultured individual I must admit that there are some Hollywood films that draw me into the greedy clutches and arena seating of the multiplex, and when they send out their siren call to me I normally wend my way to the Vue.

Now I could go on and on about the exorbitant prices charged here, not just for the tickets but also for the snacks, which are an essential part of the blockbuster viewing experience but also push me into my overdraft every time, with £4.60 for a medium coke seeming somewhat unreasonable, but lets be honest, we all know that going to the cinema nowadays is a pricey affair, and that the concession stand is where these companies can part us schmucks with umpteen of our pounds, so I’ll focus instead on the experience inside of the cinema.

Which is great. Big comfy seats, all laid out so you can actually SEE if someone with a massive head/hat/hairstyle sits in front of you; great quality sound and picture; air conditioning; and best of all, they have screens which are EQUIPPED WITH 3D, so you get to wear funky glasses and feel like the film is reaching out to you. I went to see Coraline at the Vue this weekend and honestly, even though I don’t rate the film that much, I will now see every single movie released which is available for viewing in 3D, because it’s SO AWESOME. Wow.

So yes, it’s expensive, and yes the choice of films is very mainstream, but sometimes you just want to watch an action film or a pixar movie or ANYTHING WHICH IS IN 3D [yes I’m still on that, I think it will take me at least a week to get over my 3D related excitement] and that’s when you should hit the Vue.

Despite my well-documented (by me) aversion to corporates and chains and the art house blood pulsing through my veins, I am still down with this my local Vue.

Even the extortionate food prices, with a mark up that would have had Pablo Escobar chomping at the bit, and the occasional interruptions from local, bloodthirsty teenage street gangs don’t detriment from the fact that when I come and see a film here, I get to see the whole screen in all its glory. Even if the Harlem Globetrotters were to plot up in the seats in front, all fully-adorned in stacked 70s heels (How does that work? Surely, they’d be sitting down-Qype Ed) and sporting huge afros, the view would remain un-compromised and complete.

Oh, and the sound is pretty good too.

a decent sized new cinema, all the screens are a fair size and a fairly wide selection of movies to chose from at all times..
price is pretty standard of central London, if u’v got ur student card or are rocking 2 4 1 orange weds then its a bargain. ( just buy ur cinema snacks in the Sainsbury just opposite) :P

If you want to see a film and ur in Islington/Angel, this is the place to go. Its big, clean and well priced - as you would expect with any cinema chain.

Top Tip: If ur going on a fri/sat night or Orange Wed and there is a big guy downstairs - go upstairs and buy your tickets with ur food!! Skip the queue! (i didnt believe it first time round tbh) :)

This is an excellent multiplex hidden away in Islington and is probably the best multiplex in London.

It’s fairly big and always offers plenty of choice. Prices are very good for the area, and the cinema seems very modern and it’s very clean. It can get quite busy for big screenings, but luckily the foyer is huge. There is also a very big sweets counter with plenty of people serving so you never have long to wait.

The quality of the screenings is always excellent and you get the impression that the staff really care that you have a good experience while you’re there. Other customers are also very well behaved and every time I’ve been there I’ve enjoyed myself immensely. It’s also clean, fun, vibrant and friendly - everything you could ever ask from a multiplex.

This is my current local, and it’s ok for a multiplex, but unfortunately they charge islington prices, so £9 a ticket in the evening. There is a fairly good range of films on, and usually a foreign film, at the moment the baader meinhof conspiracy I think.
Some of the screens are really small, so its worth getting to a film when it opens, when you can presume it will be on the biggest screen. The dark knight looked pretty good here.
Tends to have chattering teenagers sitting on the back row which is always a pain.

You can always find at least one or two good films on at this great little multiplex in islington. The prices are good and cheap, the staff are nice and seem knowledgable about the films on offer, and the seats are comfy. There’s also a couple of nice pubs in the area for pre or post cinema drinks, or you might try one of the many local restaurants (there’s a great eat all you can for x quid place directly opposite). AND you could always browse in the huge waterstones opposite whilst waiting for your cinema date. Overall this is one of the best cinemas in my area - better than the 2 local rep cinemas as it has a wider range of films and is cheaper.

This is my local cinema, yes it’s a bit on the pricey side but I normally only go to the cinema to watch ‘blockbusters’ so I just deal with it.

Buy the tickets from the machine to save time, buy the sweets from Sainsbury’s to save money and you’re there.

This is actually one of the nicer cinemas about. Obviously it is riotously expensive, but I think that now goes for virtually all cinemas in London.
It has big comfy seats, and lots of screens, so there is usually quite alot on, and also quite a lot of choice.
I prefer to go in the day time when I can, as then its nice and empty and you feel like your the only people there!

Cinema is so expensive! But at least here it is clean and the seats are big and comfy. And there is a Sainsburys across the street so you can buy your film snacks there to save some cash and/or food poisoning.

Handy hint, if you are going in the week check out lastminute.com for half price standby tickets. The weeknight shows at Vue are rarely sold out unless it is a blockbuster which has just been released. Bargain!