AMC Grand Rapids 18

3000 Alpine Ave NW, Walker, MI 49544, USA

Address:	3000 Alpine Ave NW, Walker, MI 49544, USA
Phone:	+1 616-785-8400
Site:	amctheatres.com
Rating:	4.1

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Aaron McClellan

As other reviewers have said, ignore old reviews. Say any poor review before Winter 2015. The AMC on Alpine, once called "Start Theater" is a staple of North Grand Rapids / Comstock Parks heritage. Though the space was bought by the AMC corporate entity, the theater has only benefited. I remember this place from when I was a kid, the weird candies they had outside the theater exits, and how big it seemed then. Well, new memories can be had for a new generation of Grand Rapidians because this place has been renovated into a spectacular place! The theaters now boast luxurious reclining seats with fewer patrons per showing. You are assigned your seats -which you can pick online at Fandango or AMCs website, or when you go to purchase your tickets in person. Because the seats recline, even a full showing with only front-row seating is a pleasurable experience. No neck craning, or eyestrain. The theaters are all cleaned quite well between showings, and I have yet to feel like Im sitting in a dirty seat or sticky gross theater. Despite all these changes, the average expense of going to see a movie at AMC Alpine is no higher than anywhere else, with the added benefit of being a great experience. Furthermore, I think the atmosphere of "luxury" motivates patrons to accord themselves in less obnoxious ways in the movie theater. That was part of the sad reputation of the old Star, its not in a classically "good" part of town, but low-income patrons can walk to the theater from their homes nearby and still afford to go. Socially, I think this is a very cool aspect of the location and renovation. Philosophically, were all the same in the dark of the theater. Anyhow, the concession stand is robustly operated, and even long lines move quickly. Self-serve coke machines that have become popular in many places offer hundreds of drink combinations. The popcorn is good, the candy isnt stale, and they offer relatively cheap 1 liter bottles of water (for movie concession prices) if youre skipping the salty-sweet food coma following the show. I like the celebration cinema brand, but this AMC has won me over and I visit this movie theater almost exclusively as a preference. Last details: The bathrooms are large, always very clean, and accommodate the post-movie rush. I cant speak for the ladies room, but Ive been told that the line moves fairly quick due to accommodations. Several chain restaurants are nearby offering a variety of different foods. Alpine is a very busy road, so plan for a little extra travel time going to or from this theater location, especially if the weather is bad or youre going at a high traffic hour on a weekday (during the holidays this is practically every hour from 9 to 7).

nick gierke

Wanted to take my son to see the new Lego movie and he kept saying he wanted to go to the theater that had the comfy chairs. His grandmother over heard and said oh thats the AMC (star) theatre on Alpine. I havent been there in years so I decided to go. I remember it being dirty but it was old school looking so I looked past it. When we arrived I noticed it had been remodeled. Sadly I did not make it past the front counter. Standing in line waiting to buy tickets I noticed these people were standing next to us. I wondered if they were going to skip the rope line area everyone else had to navigate in. When the people at the counter left my son and I went to walk up and the young guy at the counter said members first please and they waved these people ahead of us with their 6 kids. Apparently people dont believe in lines anymore or first come first serve. Either way, I usually dont get offended easy, honestly, but this really bothered me. Maybe cause this was my first experience here since I was 14 or maybe because I dont like thinking people are better than others because they knew about a special perk. I grabbed my son and walked out. I decided to drive across town to celebration theater. On my way to the new theatre I called AMC and a young guy Josh answered the phone. I asked Josh if I could speak to the manager. He replied, "and what is this regarding?" As my frustration was building I replied "I just left your theater and I am heading to celebration and I thought you would like to know why." He quickly replied "oh ok well what is the problem?" I said, "are you the manager Josh?" "Yes" he said. "Why didnt you just say so when I asked?" I questioned. "Oh because I wanted to know the scope of things before revealed that I was the manager", he said. "....." was my silent response and then I hung up. Celebration is a bit more expensive but I dont leave feeling like I was disrespected and to my surprise you can drink alcohol in the theatre. Ill never return to AMC. Thanks but no thanks. I go to the movies maybe twice a year. I will pay a little extra. Good luck. Im sitting in celebration typing this in my seat wait for my movie to start by the way. Seats are pretty comfortable too. ;)

Ariel Plett

Usually we have a great time and this our preferred theatre. We come from out of town and reserve our seating ahead of time. We also signed up for the premiere membership. Our last experience wasnt so great. We had reserved our seating per usual, but when we got to them a couple was already in them. They thankfully moved, but they refused to show us their tickets and claimed other people stole their seats. Wed rather not have this happen again. Theres a reason why there is assigned seating and a reason you can pick your seats online. We were also watching a movie not so little kid friendly, however someone brought their little ones and the violent scenes scared them and made them cry disrupting the movie for us and possibly others. When we went through the concession line for premier members we were over looked by the employees. We pay a membership for the deals and perks. We paid for convenience. And our last visit was probably the worst we ever had. I hope this was just a fluke and our other visits wont be anything like this one. We are a laid back couple. Understanding that things happen every so often, but the theatre shouldnt allow little ones to go into a violent movie knowing they will get scared and disrupt the movie for others. And with the amount of people going into the theatre, it might be beneficial to have someone help finding good the right seat or correct the issue.

Robert M

Run!. Took my GF there Friday night to see Sniper. This is easily the worst movie facility I have ever been in and Im from the U.P.! Surprised this dump is still running. So we stood in line for 20 + minutes to get our tickets. All while only one of two ticket booths were open. GF stood in snack line the same time to get popcorn and never did as the movie was starting and the lines were not moving (understaffed again). The lobby is way too small - people stacked on top of each other. So we just make into the movie (theater 17) and it smelled like puke, yes puke! No one had picked up trash from the prior movies or days - who knows. Disgusting! While getting tickets I asked the gal if I could get my money back if we were not happy or we had crappy seats due to poor service. She couldnt tell me how many seats were left and then to see Customer Service, but of course no one was working in CS. All this and it cost about $9/ ticket - ridiculous! Oh and you can hardly tell its a theater when approaching as the exterior lighting and signage is so crappy and dark. AMC Star - you should be ashamed of this operation!