Funan’s New Cinema Has VR Pods, USB Chargers & Even High-Tech Laser Projection

Once upon a time, a wise man asked me, “What irks you most when you’re watching a movie in a cinema?”

I didn’t need to think to come out with the answer: “People who talk incessantly. Babies crying.”

The wise man then leaned forward with his survey form and said, “Cool. How about we add some VR pods in the cinema, so that you can enjoy yourself while waiting for your movie to start?”

“A seat that sends electricity to anyone who talks when the movie’s on would be good,” I muttered.

“Sure, how about a USD charger on your seat so that you can charge your phone while enjoying the movie?”

I stood up. “A ban to couples who like to talk in the theatre would suffice.”

“Right, how about a high-tech laser projection—”

“Who the f*** are you?” I finally asked.

“My name is Funan and I’m the new GV cinema there.”

With that, he disappeared and started to show me how cool the new cinema is, despite me telling him numerous times that what I want is just silence in the theatre.

GV Funan, a High-Tech Cinema That Still Doesn’t Ban Noisy People

You should know by now that Funan Mall is opening on 28 June 2019, and it’s unlike the mall we’ve remembered from our childhood: it’s no longer the neater and bigger brother of Sim Lim Square, but a hip and high-tech mall that’s bound to many Instragammers’ favourite spot for months to come.

If you still didn’t know, you should really come in to our app daily. Here’s the article for your reference.

With a mall that lives in 2050, you can bet that their cinema comes from the future, too.

Golden Village is enhancing the movie-going experience to attract home viewers back to the cinema by providing increased levels of comfort and privacy to improve one’s movie-going experience. In other words, to fight Netflix lah.

The new multiplex, which opens to the public on 28 June 2019 as well, sees the introduction of two new seating concepts in the 431-seat, seven-theatre complex.

The first is the Deluxe Plus halls that feature spacious leatherette seats, uniquely designed with lumbar cushioning for increased support, together with a recline feature. Each seat includes a handy USB charging port, enabling patrons to make the most of lengthy movie times to juice up their mobile devices.

A ticket in the Deluxe Plus is at $22 for a standard seat, so it’s slightly more expensive than the usual seats.

But hey, look at that:

How beautiful is that~

(I’m obviously referring to the girl)

The second addition is the new Gold Class Express hall. The high-SES hall has 32 plush leatherette electronic recliner seat and is the gateway to a luxurious cinematic experience akin to GV’s iconic Gold Class cinemas at a slightly lower price. Gold Class’s signature butler service is replaced with a F&B ordering feature on the revamped iGV mobile app which allows moviegoers to pre-order food and drinks prior to the film.

And the price?

$39 per seat, which is like $3 cheaper than the usual Gold Class seats…with a Gold Class experience. Boleh lah.

And of course, the usual standard seats are still available lah.

If you’re low-SES like me, you’d be glad to know that the seats in the standard halls offer additional legroom. Also, all halls would be equipped with Barco Smart Laser Projection combined with immaculate audio.

I know what you’re thinking: simi lai de? (what is it?)

I also don’t know. I just copied and pasted from the media release.

Okay, I kid you. I’ll be fired if I leave you with that answer.

Basically, Barco is a brand and their smart laser cinema projector provides better image quality with clearer lights and colours.

So better lights = clearer images = better quality.

Not that we can notice, though.

VR Pods

Pretty sure you came in not for the cinema halls but for the VR Pods, and obviously we leave it last so that you’ll stay longer in this app and we’ll earn more money.

Now here’s the thing that’ll disappoint you: these four VR pods would be outside the halls (at the GV foyer) and are merely there to deliver virtual reality gaming and cinematic content. In other words, they’re there, together with a café, for you to waste spend time before the movie.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that given the number of visitors in the mall and with only four pods, getting into one would be as difficult as finding Mewtwo in Pokémon GO. Might as well cut some cupboard and slot your phone into the cupboard #justsaying

Nonetheless, the place’s worth a visit simply because Spider-Man: Far From Home would be out on 2 July 2019.