Just the ticket to beat heat

LOCAL families lapped up the festive spirit and escaped the summer heat with a trip to watch the latest-release Boxing Day movies.

Boxing Day blockbuster Jumanji: The Next Level was a big hit with moviegoers at BCC Cinemas yesterday, as were Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Frozen 2.

“We all watched the first Jumanji. I made them sit down and watch it and they’re quite excited to see the second one,” said Sam Molloy, who took her kids Shayla, 10, and Kaleb, 11, to the movies yesterday.

“It’s just good to get out of the house. Christmas was a bit crazy and this is a good way to wind down.”

Cindy O’shea said her two boys, Rhys, 7, and Peyton, 8, had been hanging out for weeks to see the latest Jumanji

instalment.

“We watched the first one, just to educate them,” she said.

“We don’t normally go to the movies on Boxing Day but we need the aircon and the relaxation after yesterday.”

General manager of BCC and Event Townsville Arlene Valentine said more than 500 tickets had been sold at the two local cinemas before lunchtime, with many more crowding in during the afternoon.

“Jumanji: The Next Level is very popular with families and people have said it’s the best movie they’ve seen in a couple of years,” she said.

“The latest Star Wars movie has been out for a couple of weeks now, but it’s still very popular and it’s brought in about $22 million already.”

Ms Valentine said a trip to the cinema was a perfect way to escape the summer heat.

“It’s not just two hours of watching a movie, it’s two hours of sitting back and relaxing in the airconditioning as well,” she said.