My experience with a 4DX movie
I recently saw the last Indiana Jones in 4DX, here's my quick review
Scope
I won't review the movie itself - I may write a short article on it, although I haven't decided yet.
This article is only about the 4DX experience.
What is 4DX?
If you refer to Wikipedia, 4DX "allows films to be augmented with various practical effects, including motion-seats, wind, strobe-lights, simulated-snow, and scents".
This means you're seating in specific seats, which can move, and there are ventilators and various devices that can throw stuff at you, such as wind or drops of water (although the latter can be disabled altogether by using a button on your armrest).
The Experience
My local Pathé movie theater had this 4DX room for a few years, and it never appealed to me - however my elder son wanted to test it, so we saw the last Indiana Jones "the Dial of Destiny" in the 4DX-equipped room.
We seated and when the movie started, the 4DX effects kicked in, with the seats
moving, wind blowing etc.
I would describe this as "interesting" initially, as it surely adds some fun,
but in my opinion the seat moves way too much - this was especially true
during action scenes, where you would have a hard time following the movie as
you litterally had to hang on your seat.
Now, granted this is doing what it's supposed to, but I can't help thinking that a bit less would be better.
My son seems to have liked it, although when I asked him a second time a few minutes after we left the cinema, he conceded that his neck was slightly hurting.
Verdict
I would certainly not go there for each and every movie - rather the other way around, I'd be super picky when choosing: I would not want to see a movie I've been waiting for a long time, as I wouldn't enjoy it.
But 4DX could be fun for action movies/the ones where you know what to expect and want a "deeper" experience.
Tags: Misc