Experience 4DX: Unique Thrills with Every Movie

Have you ever ridden a rollercoaster and had so much fun that you wished the ride would go on forever? Have you been to an amusement park where the rides included the use of 3D screens giving you a fully immersive experience? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to ride that 3D rollercoaster for the time of a full-length movie?

Well, in 2009 CJ 4DPlex, a subsidiary of South Korean cinema chain CJ CGV, came up with a system to watch the latest films in seats that move with the action while water, air, and lights coordinate to the elements happening on screen. 4DX is the most advanced way to currently watch a movie in theaters.

Personally, I have had the opportunity to see two movies this way. The first was Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 and the second was this past weekend when the 1996 movie, Twister, was presented in 4DX for the first time. You might think, "Eh, you see one movie in 4DX, you've seen them all," but you would definitely be wrong. I had two completely different, but no less enjoyable, experiences.

When I went to see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, I had no idea what to expect from a 4DX movie-going experience as the closest one to me is approximately 35 miles away at Regal Dania Pointe, so it wasn't something I did often. Upon entering the theater, it was obvious the seats were different. They were larger than average seats (even the reclining ones), and there were fewer seats in the theater. They were also grouped into fours with ropes between them, and they sat higher off the ground due to all the equipment underneath. They even had a button to turn the water feature on and off for each seat.

As the film started and the seats began to move, the sensation reminded me of an amusement park ride, though not as violent since we weren't "strapped into" our seats. However, there were times throughout the film when I felt we were being tossed around pretty hard. I remember thinking, "Good thing I didn't buy any popcorn because it would have been flung all around the theater by now." I also noticed a horrible smell every time the fog machines were utilized, a fright when the "leg tickler" was activated, and annoyance whenever someone onscreen was punched because I would simultaneously feel a punch in my back. Despite all that, I really had a good time, and the overall experience was fun.

This second time, I thought I was prepared for what was going to happen, but I couldn't have been more wrong. There was more wind, more seat movement, lots more water, but very little back punching and no fog, which was a welcomed change as the odor was so unpleasant last time. I still think popcorn or any candy made up of small pieces (i.e., Bunch-A-Crunch or Skittles) should be off-limits unless you can time your eating to slower moments of the movie. One thing I did notice, even during the 4DX previews, was the collective laughter of the audience as though they were surprised their seats moved despite the fact that they had bought a ticket to a 4DX screening (myself included).

So far, both of my 4DX experiences were positive overall but very different, which leads me to the conclusion that each movie presented in 4DX is unique and that some movies are more adaptable to 4DX than others. Therefore, one should seriously consider which movies they plan to see in this format as:

• Some movies are definitely going to be more enjoyable than others.
• Since the average 4DX movie price is approximately $26 per ticket, it is about two and a half times the price of a regular ticket and something to "splurge" your money on only occasionally.