On Monday evening, December 4, the editorial staff was able to attend the screening of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Luc Besson's latest film, in a room equipped with 4DX. Back on this experience for the least original! Like 3D and IMAX, 4DX technology has been appearing in dark rooms for some time. In Paris, it is the cinema Pathé La Villette that is a pioneer in this field. Since March 2017, it has been equipped with a room dedicated to 4D X projection.For the moment, it is the only place in France to offer this type of viewing. Needless to say, we were looking forward to (re)discovering Luc Besson's latest through the prism of four-dimensional technology!
What is 4DX?
Revolutionizing cinema by appealing to our five senses is the credo of 4DX projection. Indeed, the latter aims to play with our physical sensations, going much further than 3D. Through a system of movable and articulated seats, the viewer can apprehend the similarities of sensations that the scenes on the screen suggest. Smell and touch are not left out, since the seats diffuse at times smells related to the course of the film. Similarly, water misters spray the faces of spectators at certain passages (option that can be disabled). Flashes of light also illuminate the room at times. But then, what about our opinion on the experience for Valerian?
A mixed experience
Visually abundant and fearless in pace and action, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets was the perfect candidate to experiment with 4DX. However, the editor's opinion remains mixed. 4DX technology is fully justified for panoramic scenes or when the camera is plunging. To the already convincing 3D of these passages, the movements of lifting or rotating the seats bring a real plus in the ample and visual universe of the film.The key is an easier immersion in the film and the whimsical and miraculous universe of the work. Accompanied by the movements of the chairs (mounting, pivoting …), the result for these passages is very convincing. The result : the feeling of being at the heart of the action. On the other hand, some physical effects do not bring much and are sometimes even counterproductive.To focus too much on the latter (jerky movements of armchairs, light "blows" in the back, wind in the room, flashes …), we get out at times of the story
A 4DX adapted only to the big show
So 4DX, cinema or attraction ? The question really arises as experience questions our vision of the seventh art. Cinema draws its strength from its ability to transport the viewer through the mind and imagination. By wanting to recreate semblance of physical stimuli, is there not a risk of reducing and distorting what makes the true power of the seventh art? If the 4DX will undoubtedly find its followers among lovers of varied sensations or innovative experiences, it may leave some people on their hunger… It would be a lie to say that the projection in 4DX brings absolutely nothing, but also raises the problem of feasibility for all films. It is still difficult to imagine contemplative, slow-paced works in 4DX viewing. For now, IMAX technology, more enveloping, seems more relevant and generalizable. However, 4DX is likely to become a staple for the most ambitious action movies. It remains to be seen how it will evolve and whether the public will adopt it over time. But as always the best way to make your opinion is to test by yourself! So for those curious to really discover the 4DX, go to the Pathé La Villette cinema!
The trailer of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz0S_yeI1MU
