The end is finally here for the Skywalker saga of Star Wars. Now that Disney owns the
franchise, there are sure to be plenty of other Star Wars stories to tell, both
on and off the big screen. But for many fans, this is the end of a storyline
that has continued (more or less) for over four decades. This means the return
of several iconic characters (Carrie Fisher is given top billing for a couple
of lines and knowing looks), many answered questions (Rey’s identity chief
among them), and a lot of satisfying action. The real question for many fans
will not be whether or not they will see The
Rise of Skywalker, but how many times, and in what format. For those who
are looking for a completely immersive experience, there is no better choice
than 4DX. Having previously compared the film-viewing experience to the Star
Tours ride at Disneyland, it was fitting to finally see that comparison blend
into one ride of movie. And for those who have never experienced the format
before, The Rise of Skywalker is the
ideal first film given how much time and attention has been given to every
detail. Few films utilize as many effects as often as this film, which I will
discuss in greater individual detail below.
It is important to note that the effects available at each
4DX location can vary. There are basic movement effects that are found at all
theater chains equipped with 4DX, but not all theaters have all of the effects.
While doing a little research about your particular theater of choice before
buying the ticket may be a good idea, I have found Regal to be a fairly reliable
exhibitor of the 4DX technology. Also, this review is primarily focused on the
evaluation of these effects, while evaluation of the quality of the film itself
has been saved for another review.
Effect 1: Motion and
Vibration
Easily the most recognizable element of the 4DX experience is
the seats that move and even vibrate to simulate experiences onscreen. This is
easily comparable to the Star Tours experience (or the new Millennium Falcon
ride, I suppose), especially during the sequences in which the seat movement
works to simulate riding inside the spaceships. But that is just the beginning
of the ways that the film is able to use the seat movement and vibration. There
is an assortment of different vehicles that we take a ride on over the course
of the film, both in the air and on land.
The one surprising element came with the use of the vibration
feature. The vibrating seats are often used to simulate the rumble of engines
while riding in an assortment of vehicles (it was particularly realistic in the
4DX presentation of Ford v Ferrari), and The
Rise of Skywalker is no exception. But in addition to this, the vibrating
feature was used effectively for impact whenever a lightsaber is used. The
power that emanates from the plasma blades can literally be felt whenever they
are turned on, but the vibration is amplified even more as the battles ensue.
There was also one somewhat unsuccessful instance when the
vibration was used to simulate the footsteps of Stormtroopers, but the amount
of vibration didn’t seem proportional to the impact of the footsteps. Instances
like this can take you out of the film experience, but there were far fewer of
them in The Rise of Skywalker than
past film viewings.
Effect 2: Back Effects
Similar to the vibration of the seats, there are also slight
intrusions from the back of your seat. I call them intrusions not to associate
them with a negative experience, but because the back effects are often
intentionally jarring. The back effects will gently (or not so gently, in the
case of John Wick 3) nudge and prod
you during key sequences. This is typically during a fight, to simulate (again,
gently) the feeling of taking a hit, or hitting the ground after an impact.
The biggest issue with this effect is a matter of
association. When watching a movie, we most often want to associate with the
heroes. So when John Wick takes a punch and we feel the hit, it brings us
closer to empathize with the protagonist. When The Rise of Skywalker uses this effect, however, it is often when
one of the random Stormtroopers takes a big hit. This connects us to them,
rather than the heroes that delivered the blow, which is a bit confusing. With
that being said, the back effects are only moderately utilized for this film,
and the intensity seems to have been decreased for younger audience members.
Effect 3: Air Blasts
The air blasts are bursts of compressed air that are shot at
the viewer from a number of different locations, and to different effect. The
ones that come from the front are often used for surprise effect, similar to
the way 3D might use objects seeming to protrude from the screen to reach out
to the audience. The difference is that the air actually makes contact. However
gentle it may be, this always has an impact. Less obtrusive but just as
effective in the immersive experience are the bursts that come from the
headrest. These bursts are often just to the side of your head (although a few
of them hit me pretty dead on) to simulate plasma shots and other items as they
whiz past you. Along with the seat movements, this effect helps to feel like
you are in the middle of the battle (and this film has quite a few of them). If
I were to compare this effect to another popular Disneyland ride, it would be
the darts shot at you during the Indiana Jones ride.
The theater I was lucky enough to experience The Rise of Skywalker in was also
equipped with one of the newer effects, which also comes from the headrest.
From the same place that the air bursts came from in the headrest, there was a
heated air effect that was used during explosions scenes. The heat can also be
a welcome break from the wind and rain elements, which can sometimes be chilly
when used together.
Effect 4: Leg Ticklers
The leg ticklers are a couple of moving tubes (or some
variation) that hit your legs to simulate movement. While the leg ticklers were
used to a higher degree than usual, it was also often in conjunction with the
other effects. The one isolated time I noticed it was when the leg tickers were
utilized to simulate quicksand, which was extremely effective. More often than
not, it was used during explosions/crashes.
Effect 5: Water
Elements
Although it is only utilized in a few key scenes, I would
argue that the water elements are among the most effective in The Rise of Skywalker. There was
everything from a light mist to a heavy downpour in one key fight scene amidst
a turbulent high tide. Not since Aquamanhas a film utilized this effect with as much impact. If you are opposed to
getting wet, however, there is a button to turn off the water effects for
individual seats. With that being said, I would recommend bringing a warm
sweatshirt so that you can comfortably leave the water for the full 4D immersion.
As previously mentioned, there are air blasts coming from the
front seat, and occasionally there is water added to these blasts. I believe
this only happened once in The Rise of
Skywalker, as it is often used for blood splatter (which Star Wars has none), and the occasional
gross impact like a sneeze or a wet burp. Star
Wars refrains from the novelty of these gags.
Element 6: Floodlights
Often utilized to simulate lightning and explosions, there
are large floodlights that flash on the sides near the front of the screen. There
are more than a few of these explosions in The
Rise of Skywalker (often paired with the heat effect), but the flood lights
were used in a number of other creative ways for this film. I already mentioned
the vibration that occurs with the use of lightsabers, but the floodlights were
often also used to sell the power of impact. Other times the floodlights were
used alongside bursts of electricity coming from droids repairing or being
repaired. Few films have used the floodlights as often or as effective.
Element 7: Wind
The wind elements are often used to simulate forward motion,
when not used for natural weather effects in outdoor scenes. This film never
uses the fans to the extent that it feels like a distraction, but often simply
in combination with the others to create a unifying experience. This is
especially effective during warp speed.
Element 8: Smoke/Fog
Effects
There are more than a few large explosions in the film, and
these are often paired with smoke effects, which fill the theater before the
fans clear it away. I am always amazed at the technicians’ ability to have the
fog/smoke fill the room while never quite obstructing your view of the film.
Along with the smoke, there are some scenes that the fog is used for more
atmospheric effect.
Element 9: Snow
Speaking of atmosphere, there is no more magical of an effect
than the one that makes it snow in the movie theater. Of course, it is not actual
snow but merely bubbles sent out to simulate falling flakes of frozen water,
but that doesn’t matter. Even knowing this, the snow brings a smile to my face
every time. While there is only snow on one location, the effect is used
multiple times throughout those scenes. The kids will also love this, because
it comes during one of the film’s few slower moments.
Element 10: Scent
The last effect worth mentioning is scent. Although not nearly as flashy as some of the others, the release of certain scents into the theater during key scenes is still worth mentioning. My only problem is that I have trouble distinguishing what the scent is supposed to be. that being said, it is a pleasant smell whatever it is, and often comes during more peaceful sequences, so that the other effects don't distract from this somewhat subtle one.
Final Thoughts
Fans take their Star Wars very seriously. I must admit, I
have never been the die-hard enthusiast. But that also allows me a certain
level of objectivity, and while I am not able to praise the quality of the
filmmaking without reservations, I can honestly say that the 4DX elements
brought down my guard a bit. I was able to let go of my critical habits and
embrace the childlike wonders, and I would argue that a great deal of that is
thanks to the meticulous planning done by the 4DX technicians in designing the
experience. Star Wars fan or not, The
Rise of Skywalker in 4DX is undeniably awesome.
No comments:
Post a Comment