The movie theaters in our county have finally been permitted to reopen, and in an effort to get people to come back around they are offering discounted tickets to see movies that are not new releases. In particular they have movies with slight Halloween themes they're playing throughout October. This is excellent because (1) it means I can take the girls to th emovies for very little cost and (2) I don't have to worry about how they will react to a movie or if there will be nexpected or unwanted content because the theater is playing movies I've seen before and, in this case, the girls have seen before.
So I spent $5 for my ticket and $3 each for Clara's an dJane's and today we went to see Coco. I didn't tell them about it until this morning just in case the county backtracked and reclosed the theaters (again). But once the morning arrived I told them, and they were very interested albeit a bit confused. Jane has never been to th emvies and Clara has been only once, so long ago I doubt she remembers. They were asking me where the theater is, and if it's a big TV, things like that.
Once it was time to start getting ready they especially got excited. They kept saying things like "I'm excited to see the show!" and "It's fun to go to the movies!" I grabbed my largest purse and filled it with the treats I'd gotten in advance: tootise rolls, Smarties, and three small bags of yellow cheddar popcorn. (This way I know everything they're eating really is gluten free.)
As we drove to the theater Clara kept complaining that it's so far away and she can't see it. In fact it's less than a mile from her house, and as soon as the tall tower with the word "Century" was visible I pointed it out to her and she and Jane got increasingly excited as we drove toward it. After we parked we took a moment in the parking lot to put on everyone's masks, and they were alternately getting their masks on or jumping up and down in anticipation.
When we walked inside the smell of popcorn was everywhere (one of my favorite parts about movie theaters). Clara asked "What's that smell??" and I told her. I thought about buying one huge Diet Coke since that's the best deal, but I liked the idea of them each having their own little soda, so I got two smalls instead and just a water cup for me. They were psyched that they were going to have soda, especially they're own soda. After we bought the drinks I let them carry theirs down the empty hallway and they had so much commentary about the theater itself. "This hallway is so long!" "Look at these pictures of people!" [The thear has a 3D art installation that shows famous heroes on one side and their respective villains on the other.] We walked past a large movie poster for some kind of superhero film and Jane said "Whoaaaaaa!" I had them help me find theater 10 down the hallway and they half skipped half walked to it.
When they saw how dimly lit it was they said it was too scary, but I said "It's not scary, it's exciting!" and walked ahead and they gladly followed. There was no one else in the theater at that point. We found our seats and I told them they could take off their masks to drink their sodas. Shortly after the pre-preview commericals (which I normally find irritating) started, and they were so impressed with the volume and size of the screen. They watched with rapt attention. Two other families joined eventually, but no one sitting anywhere near us. I showed the girls how to recline their chairs or put them back upright, and they were amazed.
Once the previews started I gave them each their bags of popcorn and when they were eventually done, I unwrapped candies to give to them throughout the whole time we were there. They loved it.
The movie itself was great too. Coco is beautifully animated and pretty moving. At various points they got out of their seats and stood at the backs of the seats in front of us (no one was sitting there), or they sat at the edge of the seats or even on the foot rests.
They laughed and pointed and exclaimed and had commentary. I glanced at them often and they were very taken. Clara was so enthralled it was often a bit of work to get her to notice I had another candy for her. Jane did wear out about 20 mins before it was over and said she was ready to go home, but when I told her she had to wait until the movie was done she handled it patiently.
The movie ends a little sadly. A major plot point involves a young girl not getting to see her dad for a long time. I think that's why when the movie was over Jane told me she wanted to see "my Dada" and Clara said she was all alone "without Dad or Calvin." Fortunately it wasn't a problem because we were heading back to see them right then. Clara asked if she could keep drinking her soda in the car and even at home, and when I said sure she was excited all over again.
I have always loved movie theaters. I remember being so excited about going to the movies as a child that I couldn't even sleep the night before. I had such a wonderful time watching my girls have a wonderful time with it today.
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