Feel The Force with Rogue One in 4DX:
Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema operator, has introduced London’s first 4DX equipped cinema at Cineworld Wandsworth and I was invited along to see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with my 14-year-old son to experience the new format. 4DX boasts high-tech motion seats and special effects such as wind, fog, lightning, bubbles, water, and scents to stimulate all five senses. Introduced from South Korea in 2015 and available in both 2D and 3D formats, 4DX works in perfect synchronicity with the action on screen offering a completely immersive experience.
More than 300 movies have had the 4DX treatment so far which is exclusive to Cineworld in the UK. The 4DX auditorium houses 148 specially designed seats, plus a curved screen measuring 14.20m by 6.15m – bigger than a double decker bus. The seats are large and comfortable and there is plenty of room between the rows for reasons that will become apparent! The movie is terrific-a high octane adventure romp that fits in perfectly to the Star Wars universe, ties up a few loose plot points and is a great vehicle for Felicity Jones. The ending has an extra sense of poignancy given recent events – but I’m really there to review the 4DX experience.
This was the first time I’ve been to a cinema where the ticket comes with a health warning-4DX shouldn’t be tried if you have a dodgy heart or a bad back. The best way I can describe the experience is as a cross between those simulator rides you find in amusement arcades and the Honey I Shrunk The Kids show at the Disney parks. However, 4DX puts the whole experience on steroids and there is something wildly thrilling about all the seats moving like rows of dementedly choreographed armchairs. There is no let up…bullets whistle past you, lightning crackles, punches wind you, rain (optional) soaks you and as for the smell-o-vision…! My son says he can’t imagine seeing the movie any other way now, as for me I’m really happy to have tried it and am looking forward to something a little more sedate-maybe a gritty drama involving Pinot Noir and truffles.
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