I’ve always been a person who preferred more bland tasting things in life. I didn’t like spice, not even in my movies. For most of my life I watched indie films about people dealing with their daily lives. Then, one day a friend turned me onto a whole different kind of movie. I fell in love with action movies and forced my husband to sit through 3D films with me, even though they made him dizzy. One day, a friend of ours invited us to see a 4D showing of "Captain America: Civil War ." I was down, though my husband was hesitant. Let me just say, after seeing one 4D movie, I have trouble watching action movies in any other format. Now I’ve seen two films in 4D, and I now wish I could watch all my favorite action films in the format too.
4D theaters cater to your senses. In the beginning of "Captain America," the Scarlett Witch is drinking coffee. The second you see her cup, the whole theater filled with the aroma of coffee and cinnamon. I was so overwhelmed when I got home, I forced myself at midnight to make a cup of coffee, which kept me up all night and also did not do the Scarlet Witch’s cup of joe justice.
When I saw "Suicide Squad" last weekend there were many other senses that were invoked. In the scene with the rain forest I was overwhelmed with the fresh scent of the leaves, moss and rich earth. Also, in smoky scenes, whether it was a plane crashing or a gun firing, smoke spewed from the front of the theater and filled the room with a burning scent.
Of course, in action movies there are tons of action packed scenes. Some of which, the characters are jostled around, either in a helicopter or when they collapse onto the floor. If a car revved or a plane experiences turbulence your seat would mimic the motions. It would vibrate, tremble and shake. If a character is punched you move with them, if they’re hit from behind you’re seat pushes you too. If someone is being electrocuted your seat vibrates. Any motion in the movie is mimicked by the seats. I suggest if you have a bad back to avoid this movie experience, unless you’re a freak like me that felt like it was a strangely stimulating massage.
Also, when it rains you do get wet. Maybe not soaked, but wet. When I saw "Captain America" and they were in the middle of the ocean, I got misted pretty well, but when there was actual rain in the "Suicide Squad" scenes, Los Angeles really did not want to waste a single drop of mist on those scenes. Really, it was okay. Just because "Captain America" drenched me doesn't mean "Suicide Squad" needed to, too. At least, that's what we thought...
Fear not if you’re like my friend, who hated getting wet when we saw "Captain America" and prefer not have both of your 3D and prescription specs soaked with mist, there is a button to turn off the water spray. Yet, I think the last time, we all were a bit confused whether red means it's on or off, because while my husband and I thought we put ours on, there was no water while our friend was cleaning his glasses constantly.
My favorite effect has to be when bullets start flying. In action films, there are loads and toads of gun violence. When you’re in a 3D movie experience, sometimes the bullets fly at you and sure, it’s exciting, but not as exciting as it is when air blows by you, on either or both sides of your head. The feeling is insane. My hair flows into my fast as the air bullets shoot right by my left cheek. Just that made my blood race.
Though I will say the tickets were pricey, and I still have to pay my friend back, the experience is definitely worth it. I just wish I could watch some of my other favorite films that way, like "Mad Max: Fury Road." I’d love to feel the seat as those engines rev.
