4DX Is the Only Way You Should Watch Twisters

As a long-time movie enthusiast and someone who has experienced the magic of 4DX technology firsthand, I can wholeheartedly affirm that weather-related movies are the best candidates for this immersive cinematic experience. Having witnessed the opening scene of “Twisters” in 4DX, I was left utterly spellbound. The harrowing tornado sequences were not just visual spectacles but physical sensations that transported me to the heart of the storm.

Bill Paxton, in his own words outside of his role as storm chaser Bill Harding in the movie “Twister,” described tornadoes as “among the most primitive and mighty forces on Earth. With an unmatched power and focus, a tornado can tear up a six-lane highway’s asphalt. It can fling a freight train far from its tracks. And it has the ability to obliterate an entire town. Yet, in all its fury, a tornado remains an awe-inspiring sight of nature – majestic and mysterious.” (This was spoken during the preshow video for the “Twister… Ride It Out” attraction at Universal Studios Florida.)

As someone who grew up in the golden age of amusement parks, I have always been in awe of the magical experiences they offer. However, there was one attraction that left me feeling misled – “Ride It Out” at Universal Studios. The name suggested a thrilling ride experience, but little did I know that it was nothing more than an atmospheric practical-effects show on a soundstage.

The tragic closure of the attraction in 2015 made way for a disappointing simulator ride featuring Jimmy Fallon and another natural disaster. I deeply missed the original, often pondering about what could have been if it had been transformed into an actual ride. Now, my dreams have come true with “Twisters” in 4DX. There isn’t a single best way to experience this long-anticipated sequel in theaters, but there is a truly exceptional format for enjoying it as a ride.

If you didn’t take my recommendation earlier this year to watch “Dune: Part Two” in 4DX and are unfamiliar with the term, 4DX is a cinematic experience offered at certain theaters, where seats move, jostle, vibrate, lift, dip, and even spray water or air. Some effects can be quite intense, but they’re used sparingly in my experience of attending four such films (equating to 16 individual 4DX sessions). The theater also includes special effects like lightning flashes, rising fog, and powerful winds, which complement the material exceptionally well. In fact, I strongly suggest seeing a film like “Twisters” in this format.

Beep, beep, you are entering spoiler-town; this is your final warning.

The scares hit harder

The “Twister” films blend various genres together, including monster movies. In this context, the tornados function similar to the shark in “Jaws” or kaiju monsters. As townspeople panic and take cover from the destructive winds, rooftops are torn off buildings and cars collide. The beginning of “Twisters” is particularly intense in 4DX experiences, with the effects intensifying alongside the on-screen chaos, culminating in the violent touchdown of an EF-5 tornado. Characters clinging to survival have me gripping my armrests for dear life as my chair rocks back and forth. When a character is pulled into a tornado, I feel the chair lurching in sync. Sharp metal ripping through a character’s leg causes an unexpected burst of air from my headrest, near my ear. Long grass brushing against my legs during a car off-roading incident tickles the back of my ankles.

The most striking feature of 4DX experience is the seats’ ability to move with great range and agility. They can subtly lift and tilt you during aerial views of wind farms and wheat fields, or violently throw you back and forth like an unruly mechanical bull. Following each major special effect, as the seats returned to stillness, I heard gasps, relieved laughter, and excited “Woo!”s from my fellow cinema-goers. This shared feeling of fear, excitement, and relief is precisely why one chooses to watch such action-packed films in a theater setting.

It’s a meteorological good time

As someone who has been an avid moviegoer for decades, I have always sought out the most immersive and engaging cinematic experiences possible. For a long time, I was under the impression that 3D movies were the pinnacle of technological advancement in film. However, after years of trying different formats and attending various premieres, I have come to the conclusion that weather-themed movies in 4DX are truly the way to go.

In simple terms, 4DX technology doesn’t necessitate wearing bulky glasses or enduring hazy projections to deliver those exhilarating pop-up experiences. Instead, in movies like “Twisters,” you’ll feel the seats shake as tornadoes roar, and experience lightning flashes synchronized with the onscreen storm. You can press a button on the armrests to turn off water effects, but I strongly suggest keeping them on for an authentic touch of being caught in a rainstorm. The most impressive feature is the theater’s wind effects, which envelop you completely. During the movie’s peak moments, the wind even managed to blow a popcorn piece out of my hand – now that’s true immersion!

It just makes sense dramaturgically

In this sequel’s continuation, the thrilling new element is introduced by Glen Powell’s character, Tyler Owens, who combines country boy charm with scientific knowledge and a YouTube channel, self-proclaimed as a “tornado wrangler.” He sells T-shirts featuring himself riding tornados like a rodeo cowboy. Tyler embraces life and tornadoes with the mantra, “You don’t avoid your fears; you ride them,” even wearing a safety harness while riding into a tornado, as if on a roller coaster. It’s exhilarating to experience the film’s message alongside him in 4DX, rather than just watching from a distance through a screen like Tyler Owens’s YouTube viewers. This is what makes Twisters unique.

It enhances the movie’s strengths enough to make the shortcomings feel extra-small

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “Twisters” falls flat in comparison to the original “Twister.” To quote Alison Willmore’s insightful critique, “If ‘Twister’ is the used VHS you find at a garage sale, ‘Twisters’ is the overpriced replica that tries too hard to be authentic. It boasts about its artisanal production methods on social media, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite fit well on me or anyone else.”

As a movie enthusiast, I have to share my contrasting take on “Twister.” In the immersive 4DX setting, it’s an uproarious adventure filled with excitement and fun – more in tune with Bill’s exuberant persona than with the somber demeanor of Jo and Dusty. According to Willmore, “Twister” should be either smarter or dumber. In 4DX, it confidently embraces the latter, winks at us, and delivers an unforgettable rollercoaster ride. The edge-of-your-seat moments are amplified to the max, leaving us exhilarated even during the more subdued sequences. It’s a thrilling experience that keeps our adrenaline pumping!

Daisy Edgar-Jones’ acting in this role seems off. Her portrayal of intelligence, nerdy demeanor, humanity, and southern accent lack authenticity. However, Powell’s captivating charm makes her character intriguing, even when she appears to be struggling with emotions. In the scene where she was supposed to weep and expose vulnerability, it seemed forced. But when Powell sets off a rocket, the sensation is so intense that you feel the whoosh right in your face. The audience at my screening chuckled at the film’s cheesiest jokes during quieter moments, much like the laughter that erupts on rollercoaster rides. This shared amusement brought a sense of unity to the experience.

It keeps the spirit of Twister … Ride It Out alive

Bill Paxton, who was 61 years old, tragically passed away on February 25, 2017. Just five short days after his demise, the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon stealthily opened in the former location of Twister… Ride It Out. For almost two decades, countless tourists were warmly welcomed by Paxton in these very halls. He once said, “The twister is not merely a meteorological phenomenon. It transforms into a living entity, a malevolent spirit, a behemoth hell-bent on devastation. In the end, there’s only one option: brace yourself for the ride.” Regrettably, that beloved attraction no longer exists and has been swapped out for an unrefined farce. For devoted Universal Studios enthusiasts (think Disney aficionados but with more edge), this change makes Twister even more poignant. The experience of watching a movie is one thing; encountering a tornado on a soundstage is another. But as I rode Twister at the Times Square 4DX theater, I could sense Paxton’s approving grin looking down upon me. I almost heard his voice booming through the PA system, “Thank you for surviving Twister. This is Bill Paxton. Have a wonderful day at Universal Studios Florida!”

2024-07-22 18:44