Visiting a movie theatre again: A ‘Fast 9’ pandemic viewing experience
When I heard Step 3 was being pushed up by a few days there was only one thing on my immediate to-do list - getting to a movie theatre to see Fast 9."
And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint.
Pre-COVID times, the theatre was always somewhere I felt at home; it was my first job out of high school and the energy of a busy Friday night still delights me.
But I was uncertain what a pandemic viewing experience would look like.
Turns out it's in many ways an ideal movie going situation - assigned seating, physical distancing and Vin Diesel.
A few of the showtimes were sold out so pre-purchasing tickets is definitely recommended to avoid the devastation of missing the ninth instalment of this saga.
Face masks are required while you're in the theatre - similar to a restaurant once you're seated you can lower your mask for snacking purposes. At the concession, physical distancing is encouraged with floor stickers spaced at appropriate intervals, and plastic shields are erected at each till so as to keep the popcorn from hitting you in the face, presumably.
Notably missing were sanitation stations, so be sure to bring your own juice after using high-touch areas like the card reader.
Every other row of the theatre had butts in seats.
We were in the D-Box section, because if you're going to see a movie about cars why not feel like you're right there next to Tyrese, ya know? So, our seats were near the top of the audience, with no one close to us for a few rows, it felt like our own bubble. It emboldened me to be as obnoxious as the movie inspired. Which, if you've never seen a Fast and the Furious" film, is a lot.
The theatre was thick with anticipation as I pulled out an edible and vowed to live my life a quarter-mile at a time. If you're one of those people that remark that movie trailers are you're favourite part of going to the theatre, rejoice, for they hath returned. For that matter, so, apparently, has James Bond.
The film must have been close to sold out as I could see stragglers making their way into seats at the very front just as darkness filled the theatre and a sort of awe could be felt throughout the audience. It was what we've all been waiting for.
As a Fast fan, let me just say this is definitely one of the best of the franchise. So many great scenes with characters from films past, ludicrous car stunts, inspirational speeches from Dom and villains with questionable hairstyles.
The utter absurdity of sending a car into space to destroy a satellite? Brilliant, insane, ridiculous.
John Cena as Vin Diesel's brother? Nonsense. Beautiful nonsense.
Treat yourself to the ultimate experience and upgrade your seat to one that moves and vibrates, it's really quite delightful, we had to go to Oakville's Winston Churchill Cineplex in order to make it happen.
Tickets: $24.50. Snacks: $20. Having the edible hit right when a car with a rocket strapped to the top of it goes into space? Priceless.
Take your ride or die to a theatre near you, or better yet get them to take you.
After all, hasn't this pandemic taught us that the most important thing is family, whatever that looks like for you.
Delaney Caulfield is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach her via email: dcaulfield@thespec.com