Going to the movies used to mean sitting quietly in a dark theater and watching the story unfold on a screen. Today, however, many theaters are experimenting with a more interactive experience through 4-Dimensional (4DX) movies. Unlike traditional films, 4DX combines visuals and sounds with physical effects to immerse the audience into the movie. These effects include moving seats, water sprays, wind, vibrations, scents, and flashes of light. The effects are timed with scenes throughout the movie, making the audience a part of the action.
While AMC does not offer any 4d movies, certain locations of Regal Cinemas have this latest technology. Some of these locations include Los Angeles, Ontario, North Hollywood, etc.
“I think more people would try 4DX if there were more nearby theaters that offered it. Right now, you usually have to travel farther just to experience it,” said sophomore Damien Kuo.
4DX theaters have become popular in recent years, especially in categories like action, horror, and adventure. Movies like Avatar: Fire and Ash have shown how the use of immersive technology can make viewers feel like they are flying through the forest, diving underwater, or part of a major brawl. During intense scenes, the seats shake and tilt, wind blows across the audience, and water mist will spray into the air to recreate ocean waves.
4DX movies attract audiences because they create a more immersive experience. Just imagine: instead of sitting still for two hours watching, viewers can interact with the movie through physical sensations. Seats can shake, and the atmospheric temperature can shift during explosions.
Younger audience members enjoy the excitement that comes with these experiences.
“It feels like you’re inside the world that they have provided for you, and experiencing the highs and lows of the hero’s journey firsthand,” said sophomore Cyrus Chow.
However, 4DX movies are not built perfectly for everyone. Some people find the added effects a distraction and feel motion sick, especially during long films. Aside from the discomfort, screenings for 4DX movies are generally more expensive than regular and 3-Dimensional Image Maximum because of specialized equipment and theater design. In addition, not all types of movies are best supported by 4DX, like emotional dramas or slow-paced stories.
“While 4DX has amazing features, I get motion [sickness] very easily and I found that focusing on the story in 3D gives off a better experience for me,” said sophomore Shaurya Sheth.Although traditional movies will likely remain popular, trying 4DX at least once can give audiences a chance to experience movies in a completely different way and see how new technology can be implemented into an immersive cinema. With the Backrooms movie quickly approaching the box office, it will be interesting to see what the public will think of it in 4DX.
