4D film

4-D film is a marketing term that describes an entertainment presentation system combining a 3-D film with physical effects in the theatre, which occur in synchronization with the film (note that 4-D films are not actually, geometrically, 4-dimensional). Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4-D films are usually presented only at special venues, such as theme parks and amusement parks. However, in Thailand, Mexico, Hong Kong, Nepal, South Korea, and India, some movie theatres also have the ability to present a 4-D film, and the film Avatar was one of 10 films that have received the treatment, starting with Journey to the Center of the Earth.[1] Some of the effects simulated in 4-D films include rain, wind, strobe lights, and vibration. The use of water sprays and air jets is also common. A 4-D film is not shown in a motion simulator, although some seats in 4-D venues vibrate or may move a few inches during the presentation.

Due to the fast growth of movies, video, and the entertainment industry, 3-D Theatres have been enhanced by the addition of special simulations. The combination of 3-D movies with chair movement (vibration, sway, tilt, drop, wave motion, or movement in any direction) and other chair effects, such as wind blowing, water spraying, leg and back ticklers, is usually considered a 4-D experience. Using additional hall effects, such as smoke, rain, lightning, air bubbles, and special smells (for example, fireworks smells at the London Eye's Experience and gassy smells, when the stinkbug sprays it in It's Tough to be a Bug) is often regarded by many as 5-D. However, since there is no standard for using these terms, each company uses its own terminology and it is often confusing. It is important to disregard the marketing slogans (4-5-6-7D) used by different companies and to check what is exactly offered for both the visual and sensory experience.

Contents

Selected filmography

Title Year Release Venue/ Country Notes
The Sensorium 1984 Six Flags Power Plant, Baltimore, MD The first 4-D film
Captain EO 1986 Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Currently playing in Disneyland, Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland
Muppet*Vision 3D 1991 Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure Park Directed by Jim Henson
Terminator 2 3D: Battle Across Time 1996 Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan Directed by James Cameron
It's Tough To Be A Bug 1998 Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney California Adventure Park Based on the Pixar film A Bug's Life but made by Rhythm and Hues Studios
Pirates 4D 1999 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld San Antonio, Noah's Ark Waterpark, Thorpe Park in the UK, Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines, Sentosa Singapore and Phantasialand
PandaDroom 2002 The Efteling, Netherlands Same film released in other parks sans 4-D effects
Mickey's PhilharMagic 2003 Magic Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland In collaboration with Walt Disney Feature Animation
SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D 2002, 2006 Six Flags over Texas, Moody Gardens, Shedd Aquarium, Adventure Dome, Six Flags Great Adventure, Movie Park Germany, Adventure Aquarium, Kings Dominion, (formerly at Paramount Parks), Pier 39, Indianapolis Zoo, Carowinds, Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando, Florida, and other locations
Haunted Lighthouse, (aka R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4-D) 2003 Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo
Shrek 4-D 2003 Universal Studios Florida, Warner Bros. Movie World, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Singapore Released in a anaglyph version as Shrek 3-D on DVD
Borg Invasion 2004 Star Trek: The Experience, at Las Vegas Hilton, USA Closed in 2008, to be reopened in Neonopolis, Las Vegas
Fly Me to the Moon 2008 Six Flags over Texas
Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure 2008 Vibrant 5D, Raipur (Installed by Modern 5D, India) Stone Mountain Park, Dollywood, Warner Bros. Movie World
Pokemon 4-D: Pikachu's Ocean Adventure 2008 Comcast IMAX 3D Theater in Avon, Massachusetts, as well as in Japan Produced by Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. Distributed by Sarai Inc [2]
Avatar in 4-D 2009 South Korea, Hong Kong
London Eye 4D Experience 2009 London Eye
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2010 South Korea
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 2011 Cinépolis 4DX Theater, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
Kung Fu Panda 2 2011 Cinépolis 4DX Theater, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Hong Kong
Transformers: Dark of the Moon 2011 Cinépolis 4DX Theater, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, South Korea and Hong Kong
Star Tours II 2011 Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Shalem 2011? Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem A 3000-year-old guide to Jerusalem's history at the Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem[3]
Cars 2 2011 Hong Kong
Final Destination 5 2011 Hong Kong
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World 2011 United States Smell was achieved by using scratch and sniff cards

See also

Smellovision

References

  1. ^ Han Sunhee (February 5, 2010). "'Avatar' goes 4-D in Korea". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014803.html?categoryid=2526&cs=1. Retrieved February 8, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Big Movie Zone -- Pikachu's Ocean Adventure". http://www.bigmoviezone.com/filmsearch/movies/index.html?uniq=550. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  3. ^ Jerusalem Time Elevator Tickets GoJerusalem.com

External links