Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas — Local services in Adelaide

Firstly, let me start this review by dispelling any illusions that this venue is actually a cinema as it claims to be - it most certainly is not. What you have here is a dozen or so budget home-theaters of mediocre quality. Do not go here thinking that you're going to see something "on the big screen", as the ticket price would suggest.

Each 'cinema' seats maybe 15-20 people at most, has a screen that would fit into most living rooms, a projector that is incapable of keeping up with any motion on-screen, and a sound system that is better suited to a supermarket. What you're left with is a small screen, that's blurry 30% of the time, and audio that's painfully distorted at the high end and inaudible at the low. Even older cinemas such as Piccadilly, with relatively outdated hardware, leave this brand new "cinema" in the dust.

This venue can only be called a cinema in the sense that it charges the public money to watch movies - it's budget setup and fit out do little justice to any of the films shown here. To add insult to injury, their ticket price is higher by about 40% than the SIGNIFICANTLY better GU Film House.

I can think of zero reasons why you would want to go here; other than the friendly staff this "cinema" has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Avoid at all costs.

EDIT: I almost forgot to mention, their self-service ticket machines (which I think are a great idea btw) don't even give you proper receipts AND they spit your tickets onto the floor. So before I've even sat down, I had to grab my half-a-receipt and tickets off the floor before someone stood on...

I went the opening week when there were good specials on, and the place was packed. Staff selling tickets and candy bar were a bit slow, but they seemed all new staff so this should improve in time. There are self serve ticket machines on the ground floor which I'll probably use in future, if I don't want a coffee or snacks. The cinema I was in was quite small and I got the last seat, front row against the side wall. This meant I had to swivel my head to the left to watch the movie, not ideal, but not bad enough to spoil the movie. Probably won't be this full after the initial excitement of the new cinema and the very cheap tickets have passed. But it might be a good idea to book online to be sure of getting good seats. Seats were comfortable but no headrest. There was a flat area on the armrest for drinks etc. Lifts from ground floor to the cinemas on 1st and 2nd floors. Escalaters going up only, as well as stairs. Small car park, on two levels, which was full. Other parking across the side street also full. If you're local would suggest you walk or get the bus on Prospect road. If driving get there in time to find a park. Once the opening madness has passed parking...

I have been several times now & surprised at the gradual decline in quality & standards of this establishment. Are they making too much money & become complacent or not enough & cutting costs. We were in cinema 5 upstairs on a Saturday night & both levels had every bin overflowing with rubbish & the floor littered with popcorn. We were both appalled, I'm sorry, but quality & standards need to be maintained. LARGER size bins & a quick VACUUM would easily solve the problem, that simple, what we experienced & endured was unprofessional. Cheers.

INITIAL REVIEW BELOW.

My first time here, mostly enjoyed the experience. Parking was convenient & several good eateries in close proximity including downstairs. Enjoyed the atmosphere & the self serve ticketing machines made purchasing tickets & booking a seat relatively simple. I was in the small cinema 12, great size screen, but why were the seats generally on one level? This meant if a person sat in front of you they partially obscured the view. How is it possible this was not discerned by designer nor builder, buggered if I know. Yes, I would go again, an excellent and wide choice of movies...