The interior of each of the six screens is chic and cozy, with state-of-the-art acoustics. The blemish in this otherwise perfect cinema is its less than satisfactory soundproof systems.

Review： Galaxy Cinema was opened on February 1, 2000. It occupied the fifth and sixth floors of Tianhe Entertainment Plaza.

The matrix of posters with the name of Galaxy Cinema on top was appealing and in a way more stylish than the expensive restaurant Emperor's Garden next to it. A few poster boards were placed at the entrance of the building, and on both sides were stores like Baleno, Bossini as well as KFC fast food.

Inside the lobby one could feel a surge of excitement that came when die-hard shoppers stepped inside a really big mall.

The extra large poster of the movie Gladiator was hung high on the third floor. That was the movie I wanted to see that night.

The ticketing booth had no queue as in some cinemas in Guangzhou. The veranda was decorated with warm, soft lights and bright poster light boxes.

I walked into Screen No. 3. With red numerical indicators I had no problem finding my seat even though the auditorium was dark (the movie was about to start). The chairs were comfortable, with high back for tall people. At the end of the right arm of the chair was a ring, the rim supposedly big enough for a large size coke. The air-con was ferociously cold, which gave me the idea that it would be worth the ticket price simply to enjoy the air-con on summer days.

The beginning music was melancholy, and the acoustics transmitted it so well the stereo effects were perfect. When the Romans and "the barbarians" of ancient Germany fought, the cinematography and the sound made one's heart pop.

After this I found the only blemish of the night. I heard the hiss and whistle of ballistas and catapults from the hall next door, and vaguely the battle cries of the warriors. The same movie was being shown in the next hall fifteen minutes later!

If you visit Guangzhou, do go to Galaxy Cinema for a movie, particularly when it is a hot day.

Tips Transportation: It takes about ten minutes to get the cinema from Guangzhou Railway East Station by taxi. Buses nos. 33, 18, 22, 224, 194, 548 pass by the cinema.

Inquiry tel. no. for latest movies: 02-87576733 (but the "acoustics" of the voice of the number is worse than that of the cinema)

Useful info: Movie halls: six; capacity: 1600, plus VIP rooms. Common ticket fee: RMB 25-30, about the same pricing as other cinemas in Guangzhou.

(Southcn.com November 19, 2002)