With little fanfare, the Showplace ICON Theatre at the Shops at West End in St Louis Park has added an additional two 3-D screens, upping its total number of 3-D screens to seven, allowing it to once again claim the title of having the most 3-D screens in the Twin Cities and possibly Minnesota. And while reviews may be mixed on how much people enjoy 3-D, the box office numbers do little to indicate anything than 3-D being an industry staple from here on out.
But perhaps even more impressive was the coinciding move made out at the Showplace Icon, that of add Dolby 7.1 surround sound to its four largest auditoriums, marking it as only the fifth theatre in Minnesota to boast the technology and the only theatre in the Twin Cities that can make the claim (the next closest theatre with 7.1 is in Oakdale).
The reason for adding both of these additions was of course the release of Toy Story 3, which is the first major theatrical release that boasted 7.1 surround sound. Right now it seems Disney of all places is the primary studio leading the charge towards 7.1 surround sound. It might even surprise people to find out that 7.1 isn’t the standard in the vast majority of theatres spanning the globe, but rather 5.1. And for the home video enthusiasts, now that true 7.1 is being offered for theatrical releases you’ll start seeing more true 7.1 Blu Rays being made available rather than trussed up 5.1 discs.
And while I fully admit to being a Showplace Icon employee, the addition of 7.1 to our theatre only solidifies my belief that our Theatre #1 is the best house to watch a movie in in the Twin Cities. Which is saying something because their are a heck of a lot of great houses in this town.
As for the next big theatrical release to boast 7.1 surround sound? Its Step Up 3 (or 3-D as the case may be in some theatres). Which means I know exactly where Joe will be on opening day.
Huzzah!
i always use surround sound equipements with the Dolby label and SRRS”,*