Before the overhaul, you'd be hard pressed to find me going to Ridge Park Square. The theater used to smell like urine, a screaming toddler would be at a PG-13 action film at 10 PM, and there would always be some sort of scuffle past sundown.
However, that's all changed now. The crowds that migrated to Valley View Cinemark are making their way back to Ridge Park Square, and with good reason.
While there are fewer screens and seats, the makeover has done wonders for the profitability and customer experience.
Assigned seats prevent the rowdy gangs of 15 year olds who used to sneak in mid-show. The outdated and grimy arcade games are gone. There's a fully stocked bar and a Coke freestyle machine to accompany the expanded concession stand that serves pizza and wings alone with the classic popcorn and candy.
And those assigned seats? They're recliners, which makes me wonder how I ever sat in non-reclining seats and makes a front row seat a billion times more bearable. Even if you don't like the flick, you'll enjoy the theater.