I began to wonder what I'd got myself into when I saw the option to turn water on or off on my cinema chair. I decided to brave it out, if I was going to experience Cineworld 4DX in full, I needed to do it, water and all. 4DX is exclusive to Cineworld in UK and Ireland and can best be described as extreme cinema viewing. It extends far beyond visuals and sound effects; the 4DX experience features strobe lights, bursts of air, falling rain and moving seats.
Think stomach-dropping helicopter rides and thrilling car chases where you're hanging on for dear life. There's no need to switch the water off either, it really wasn't enough to even vaguely smudge my makeup.
Hobbs & Shaw
Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw is the perfect film for 4DX; it's non-stop action from the very first minute with explosions, car chases and fight scenes providing a rollercoaster ride on your moving seat. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) are forced to work together, much to their mutual dismay. A lethal virus with the power to destroy all of humanity has been stolen by a rogue MI6 agent and both the CIA and MI6 want it back. The problem is that the MI6 agent is Shaw's sister Hattie (Vanessa Kirby, The Crown) and she has almost certainly been set up.
Cue the introduction of the glorious Idris Elba as Shaw's former colleague Brixton, a cybernetically enhanced and seemingly unbeatable opponent who refers to himself as the 'black Superman'. Hobbs & Shaw must overcome their differences to beat Brixton and save the world. Note that 'saving Hattie' doesn't feature into that because Hattie is perfectly capable of looking after herself.
With Helen Mirren reprising her role as Shaw's mother Queenie, the wonderful Eddie Marsan featuring as a mad scientist and cameo appearances from Ryan Reynolds and Rob Delaney, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw is not only a non-stop, breakneck action film but hilarious and oddly endearing too. The chemistry between Johnson, Statham and Kirby is fantastic. I've loved all of the Fast & Furious films and am absolutely invested in the Hobbs & Shaw franchise. Bring on the sequels!
4DX: The Verdict
4DX is a lot of fun. In the very first minutes, I found it slightly distracting and I couldn't stop giggling but I soon got used to it. I thought I'd made a fool of myself in front of the couple next to us but at one point, the man threw both of his hands up in the air as if that was really going to help stop him falling out of a helicopter. Amateur.
Would I do it again? Definitely. I don't think 4DX is right for every film - action films would work best - but the tickets aren't that much more expensive than normal tickets for what is a fun, immersive experience.
