I rarely go to movies and don’t remember if I’ve ever recommended a movie in my blog, but here goes a rave review.
After hearing several positive things about the experience, Bonnie and I decided to go to the Sphere and see The Wizard of Oz. The Sphere is a big ball, just east of the Palazzo on Spring Mountain, and the entire inside of the big ball is the movie screen.
While this is the original 1939 movie, it was color enhanced sometime along the way and shortened by a couple of songs so they could have back-to-back shows in the same day, the experience at the Sphere is immersive and different from anything I’ve previously witnessed.
I suppose I should offer a spoiler alert here — but this is an 86-year-old movie, with a couple of sequels out there, and I’m guessing most of you are generally familiar with the story.
The first and last scenes, in mid-19th-century Kansas, are in black and white — actually brown and white. When the tornado strikes, the theater rumbles, lights flash, and wind blows. Thousands of leaves (actually paper) fly around the theater. This kind of multisensory experience is what the Sphere was built to deliver — and it delivers it well.
While I was enjoying the spectacle, Bonnie was squeezing my leg. She was actually scared while the tornado was going on! In her own way, she was getting more out of the movie than I was. I suspect small children may also be frightened by the tornado, and later by the Wicked Witch.
After the tornado, when Dorothy wakes up in Oz, the colors are spectacular — all the more so because it was black and white previously —- and the colors cover the entire sphere above and around you.
Just before Dorothy and the scarecrow meet the tin man, apples fall from trees. In the VIP seat area, foam apples fall from the “sky.” Many get sold on eBay for prices as high as the tickets to the show!
There was one thing about the show that puzzled me until I slept on it. The Sphere seats around 18,000 people — and there were areas on the side that were totally empty! Tickets are in high demand, so why did they leave thousands of unsold tickets?
I think the answer was that we were in a 5:00 p.m. show. The show lasts 90 minutes, and there was also an 8:00 show scheduled for the same night. I’m guessing the logistics of emptying and cleaning the theater before the next show was such that had they sold those extra 3,000 or 4,000 tickets, they couldn’t get it all done.
The biggest “problem” with the Sphere, in my opinion, is the location. While it is walking distance from a few casinos, it’s not a short walk. We went on Wednesday, October 15, for the 5:00 show and it was cold. While Vegas is warmer than many places in the country, it’s going to get colder through the winter months.
There is parking on the site for $20, which might be the best option. There were many thousands of Uber, Lyft, and regular taxis involved in getting so many people in and out. I was walking briskly to our car, feeling underdressed because it was so cold, and I didn’t stand around and watch how the taxi and ride sharing worked. I suspect it worked pretty well — the whole affair was run efficiently — but I can’t testify to that from personal experience. The show is scheduled to run through April, at least. I suggest you check it out.
I thought you were going to talk about Michael Shackelford at the Sphere!!
ND
Excellent show. I am a big movie goer and I believe this could be just the beginning of a whole new type of film. The Spere may become more movies than concerts.
Going to see it on the 19th. Told my friends to bring anti dizzy meds, lol.
If you plan to go – take out a loan. Between the ticket(s)price, the added ticket expenses, the taxes, the cost of parking or Uber/taxi or Lift, the cost of food and/or drink — all for a 1 1/2 -2 hour visual experience.
I also thought it was great!
If the prices would go down after
some time,it would make things
more attractive to the people in
general
My understanding is that the sight lines are compromised in the seats to the sides of the Sphere. Also, the special effects for the movie. I was told that is the reason that the “side seats” are not sold for the movie. Also, no need to sell cheaper seats if they can fill the theater with the more expensive tickets in the preferred locations!
I’m always willing to pay more for a better seat, if I know. The tricky part is having that information at time of ticket purchase. Online seating charts are iffy. Ticket price doesn’t always equate. Of course you can’t predict the height or girth of the person(s) in front of you, nor their behavior (determined to stand and scream most of the time, especially down front seats). Some theater designs have it where seats are tiered in such a way you don’t have that problem.
Has anyone tried tipping the ticket taker at Sphere in hopes of improved seating? These days there often is no such main seater, especially the big venues. Cattle drive getting to seat.
I agree with Jeffery. The Sphere is like “Soarin” at Disney. The curved screen looks great when seated in the center seats, but seats off to the side have the picture distorted. Things on the movie that should be tall and straight are bent like a banana with osteoporosis.
I also thought it was going to be about Michael Shackelford. Shouldn’t the title be Wizard of Oz instead of Odds? But still a good read. The title got my attention anyway. I’ve always been a big fan of Michael and also of you. 2 of the most knowledgeable gambling experts in the industry who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with the rest of us.
If you decided to quit gambling at the end of the year due to the tax law change, I guess we can expect more of this type of content, if the column continues at all. And I hope it does, I always enjoy your writing.