For most of New Jersey's movie-going population, venturing all the way to Fort Lee for a night out is a painstaking hike.

But if there were any reason to drive to the Turnpike's end and spin down the last Jersey exit before the George Washington Bridge, it is to check out the unbelievably chic new iPic Theater, a revolutionary Bergen County movie hall that offers an impossibly robust food menu, unique seating options and an ambience that will spoil you for any other mega-plex.

The first iPic in New Jersey, opened in August, is one of five finalists in our ongoing search for the best movie theater in New Jersey. We're visiting all five theaters, taking into consideration things like film selection, sound and image quality, comfort and concessions. 

From lobby chandelier and avant garde movie artwork hung in the hallways to the revamped movie-going experience itself, we sure were impressed by iPic -- enough to make us wonder if any other theater in New Jersey can possible topple it.

THE BREAKDOWN

Film quality (picture and sound): IPic offers what you'd expect from a new, state-of-the-art multiplex, with a high-definition picture and sound that boomed but didn't overwhelm. We saw Zhang Yimou's new blockbuster "The Great Wall" during our visit, and iPic had no trouble handling the intense CGI action. But for the elite price point -- basic seats start at $12, Premium Plus spots total a whopping $27 each on weekends -- you get no greater image or sound quality than, say, an AMC or Regal chain theater.  

Film selection: IPic is a blockbuster theater running blockbuster films. If a movie's TV spots are inescapable -- i.e. "Fifty Shades Darker" or "The Lego Batman Movie," or it's playing at whichever mall cineplex is closest to you -- it plays at iPic, too. Just don't expect the indie foreign film your hipster friends rave about to reach the Fort Lee theater.

A "ninja server" serves food to audience members in the premium plus seats. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)  

Food and drink selection: Ipic soars in this respect. The theater's food menu is more nuanced than most trendy New Jersey bistros, with appetizers, entrees, artisan desserts, a full bar and an impressive wine list. Where else can you watch "La La Land," munch filet mignon sliders ($19) and pop a $250 bottle of Piper-Heidsieck champagne? This is fancy livin'.

With the Premium Plus package, a full-service "ninja server" (so they are called) brings the bites right to your seat.    

But you pay for the luxury. We tried the terrific spicy tuna on crispy rice and a trio of cheeseburger sliders, and our bill quickly reached $100 for two people, between the food, tickets and two glasses of wine. For most movie-goers, an iPic visit is a splurge event. Fresh, buttery popcorn and typical movie candies are available, too.

Atmosphere: IPic's swanky setup is so unique to traditional multiplexes, you honestly forget you are in a movie theater. With the savvy hallway artwork and bathrooms nicer than most upscale hotels, the Fort Lee business feels more like a place you'd visit across the bridge in New York, for a birthday or other special occasion. (Except, quite frankly, there aren't movie theaters this nice in New York City, either.) 

In fact, the place almost seemed too lavish to host us, wandering in on a Friday afternoon to see Matt Damon fight CGI ancient lizard warriors.

Where else in the movie-going world do you see epic murals like these? (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media) 

Comfort: For the price point, the seats could have been more plush. I found myself twisting and adjusting to get comfortable in the expensive, reclining seats. Otherwise, iPic is crazy comfy; each pair of Premium Plus seats (the most plentiful type of seat in each theater) is walled off in its own pod, so you and a partner can truly relax apart from other movie goers. I almost absentmindedly kicked my shoes off.

Extras: Ipic is, by definition, a theater of extras. Beyond what we've already mentioned, Premium Plus tickets come with a pillow, blanket and unlimited bags of popcorn.  

The N.J.'s best movie theater search continues Monday, as we visit the Kerasotes Showplace in Secaucus and ShowRoom in Asbury Park. Stay tuned, a winner will be named next week!

 Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

 

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