Emagine Batavia — Local services in Geneva Township

I was very excited to attend a screening in the Super EMX theater last night. I was expecting it to be an IMAX type experience but it really is not. It is more of just a very large standard theater. If you are there for the plush seats, this is the place for you. If you are there for an IMAX type "in-your-face" image and sound, in my opinion it doesn't quite deliver. I know it is the largest screen in Illinois but with the theater being 2x as deep as the old IMAX screen, it appears smaller to you if you are sitting in the back rows. Now I know that for my next visit I need to sit closer but then I'm sitting too LOW on the screen. The theater pitch is much less than the old IMAX.

For the sound of the movie, which was Oppenheimer, I very often had a hard time understanding the dialogue of the characters. I suspect it was as much due to Christopher Nolan's usual blaring soundtrack as it was the theater but both my better half and I missed a lot of the words spoken.

The other thing that was absolutely distracting was that people were up out of their seats a LOT during the movie and at the beginning, there were theater employees delivering concessions while the movie was already playing. I did not like that at all and found it very annoying. I don't think they should delivery anything once the movie starts and unfortunately, the wide aisles make it a bit too easy for the disinterested moviegoer to casually come and go from the theater.

The theater was a bit warm and my back was roasting on the leather seats which did really become uncomfortable after a while. I don't really understand the obsession with the recliners in theaters. I'm there to watch a movie, not take a nap. The wide and plush seats are great for sure but I'm not there to lay down. For sure, some of the people around us were asleep in their recliners given that it was a late showing. Also, the Mrs had a negative comment about the bathroom stalls. She said the door swing was almost touching the toilet and you had to stand OVER the toilet to open/close the stall door and she did not like that at all.

I will attend again. It is clean, new and nice. I now know what to expect and can choose a better seat location to meet my expectations. I am sure the sound mix of the next film I see there will be different. I absolutely do appreciate the fact that Emagine has purchased, invested very significantly and reopened this theater. For sure, I will continue to support them. I absolutely will also try out the original IMAX theater which is now just an "EMX" theater without the super. Perhaps it retains its original seating pitch and will still offer me an experience closer to the IMAX presentation I...

Took the family (5 total; kids under 10) to Emagine Theater Batavia. Inside lobby is relaxing and elegant. Got there at 11:40 for a 12pm showtime. Concessions - where theaters make their profits - was already 15-20 people deep. Within 5 mins there were another 15 people behind us and climbing. Only two individuals operating behind the counter. We didn’t get to our seats until 12:06PM. 26 minutes to get concessions. Wow. Look, opening weekend for Ghostbusters plus Dune part 2 and Kung Fu Panda in the theater - on a Saturday - I would expect them to staff properly. First visit - I’ll let this slide. Very nice facility - kept nice and clean. Fantastic theaters with comfortable seats and great screens. I’ll point out that their Coca Cola Freestyle machines were not being kept refreshed either. They were out of the specific beverage of flavor (cherry, vanilla, strawberry, fruit punch, etc) of about 8-10 on the two machines I attempted to use. Does anyone check these prior to opening up in the morning? Please ensure the components that patrons interact with the most are stocked and ready to rock when opening. That includes concession counter help (if other employees - like a manager - stand from a distance and watch the traffic dramatically increase in a matter of a few minutes , jump in and help. Manager clearly thought watching and not reacting and never helping or sending over help was adequate.) all that said, popcorn was good - concession prices on essentials (popcorn, soda, kids size combos) were great. LOVED the cotton candy availability - kind that’s made fresh there - keep doing this! Wide variety of candy not seen at other theaters. (Chewy Nerds as an example). Crazy large variety of fresh food made in the kitchen - like quick fire pizza! Super cool! Tons of other food options. Bowling alley looked cool! Super EMX was big but I swear the original IMAX screen (now billed as their EMX screen) was larger back when it was Goodrich Randall 15 theater. Anyways the bathrooms were nice, clean, and stocked. Will look forward to coming back and trying things out again. Sometimes there’s just a bad day or bad start to the day. I’ll support a theater that provides the unique amenities and food /concession options that they offer. It’s important to support theaters in general, especially those that are going above and beyond the standard theater offerings like Emagine Theater is doing. Side note: they had a cardboard cut out of their CEO (I think) in the lobby. Weird and out of place. Is this the CEO’s ego literally on display? Just weird, out of place, and most importantly...

The old Randal IMAX closing was heartbreaking. However, the Emagine opening up in its place is like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The place is gorgeous! You walk into the giant lobby with a player's piano entertaining the room. Behind it is a full bar with specialty drinks based on the current showings. One thing I learned about the bar recently is this feature called "Beverage Encore". You buy a drink, and then halfway through the movie they'll deliver you a second drink! Never heard of this idea before but I love it. Moving past the bar, you'll walk into the lobby and a GIANT concessions stand opens up for you to view. Popcorn, pizza, nachos, pretzels, churros, bosco sticks, chicken fingers... there really is something for everyone. Last time we got popcorn, we were offered an upgrade to Real Butter instead of the oil they normally put on the popcorn. DO IT. THIS UPGRADE IS DELICIOUS!!! The Real Butter on the popcorn is such an amazing taste difference. DO IT! DO IT! After the concession stand, you go to the Freestyle machines to get any kind of soda you want!!! Then to the actual auditoriums. The movie screens are new and the sound systems are bumping. The giant Super EMX screen is something that everyone should experience at some point. The seats rumble, the sounds are dynamic, and the vibes are immaculate. There are cuddle seats in the front of the auditorium for couples, and there are privacy loungers in the back with special walls between the seats. All...