Film opinion and Mufasa review: Cinema made chic with Everyman

Everyman Cinemas are redefining what it means to go to the movies in the UK.

From chic bars to plush screens and decadent food and dining options, there’s a lot to sample at an Everyman.

Film News Blitz’s David Bason reviews his first experience of the luxury cinema chain.

Take your seats

I’d long heard about Everyman Cinemas and their plush seats complimented by food and drinks service as you wait to watch one of the latest film releases.

For some time I scoffed at the thought of partaking - in part out of being a snob, thinking that one shouldn’t have unnecessary distractions whilst at the cinema and secondly, due to being an Odeon Limitless member (another treat worth reviewing down the line!).

However, when my mother-in-law posed the idea of going to the Everyman Salisbury for my brother-in-law’s first-ever trip to the cinema I was compelled to go along, especially since the tickets were on her.

Aesthetic appeal

Upon arrival, the aesthetic appeal of the Everyman was obvious.

A vintage exterior was met with an equally vintage interior, boasting an array of classic film posters and imagery, as well as a sumptuous bar and seating area brimming with art deco spirit.

Even before taking my seat in the intimate Screen 4, I was taken in.

One could enjoy an Everyman Cinema without even watching a film.

But a film was what I was there to see and our party of three was guided by the welcoming staff to our plush couch seating - set in the centre of the middle row for the best view possible.

There couldn’t have been more than 30 seats which, coupled with the comfy seats made the whole thing rather cosy.

Menu options

Now it was time to take a look at the menu and here I was quite surprised because I was expecting ludicrous pricing.

Instead a £3.50 oat milk flat white and £7.50 small pizza was on par with many of the eateries in the cathedral city of Salisbury outside the Everyman’s walls.

Sadly, due to my deliberation, the food and drink arrived shortly after the film started which was a bit of a pain but not the end of the world.

From here on out the rest of the viewing experience was what you’d expect from any cinema, but the accompanying pleasures were a treat.

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I came away from the Everyman experience pleasantly surprised, but I had the bonus of having my ticket paid for me.

Considering that, the trip likely would have cost me close to £30 and as a regular cinema goer, that is a steep price to pay.

However, the Everyman is the perfect place for special occasions and I can see myself returning in the not-too-distant future.

Mufasa The Lion King: Good but not great

Oh yes, I was at the Everyman to watch a film!

The film in question was Disney’s ‘live-action’ Lion King prequel Mufasa.

Mufasa tells the story of the lost cub who grows up to become The Lion King, encountering Rafiki, Zazu, Sarabi and Scar along the way.

The story is well told and Oscar-winning Director Barry Jenkins is a steady hand to steer the ship.

A particular highlight in a film which is good, but by no means great, is Mads Mikkelsen as the villainous lion Kiros.

Mikkelsen is the perfect casting for any villain, with the Dane boasting an incredible gift of wielding his voice in the most sinister of ways.

While the film is beautiful, entertaining, well-told and well-acted, there are a few things that detract from its achieving so-called greatness like The Lion King before it.

First, there’s not a song in here that can match any of the hits from the original, nor do the multiple cut-backs to present-day Rafiki, Pumbaa and Timon do anything but take you out of the story you paid to see.

But the one overriding issue I had with this piece is the ‘live-action’ element.

Sure, the CGI renderings bring unparalleled realism to the creatures at the heart of this story - but the magic of animation and the almost humanoid expression the original Lion King format brought to its characters is missing as a result.

In summary, Mufasa is a worthy addition to Disney’s stable of stories, but I’d choose 1994’s animated classic over it when given the option.

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