A LITTLE OVER a month ago, I saw Twisters on its opening night. As a fan of the original 1996 movie, I was super excited to see how a storm-chaser thriller would be updated to fit into 2024 (and, look, this is Men's Health; it's no secret how much we love Glen Powell). Opening night was spectacular; I'm lucky enough to live in New York City, home of the largest IMAX screen in the country, which proved to be an incredible venue for a movie that was everything a summer movie should be (and one of 2024's best overall)—thrills, a cast full of stars, and charisma for two hours straight.
I thought seeing a big movie on the biggest screen possible was as good as it could get. But then I learned about—and got a ticket—for 4DX. 4DX is an experience exclusive to Regal cinemas, and it's only available for certain movies, for reasons that become very clear. Essentially, the 4DX experience turns the movie you're watching into a Universal Studios or Disney World ride; your seat moves with the action, wind blows in your face when wind blows on the screen, and, at times, water even mists right at you (a feature you can opt out of with a button on every armrest).
Just from that description, you can probably tell how this elevated a movie like Twisters, where Powell's charm suddenly has some competition. The first time I saw the movie, I was impressed by the way it introduced Powell's character, Tyler Owens, with a fun theme song ("Ain't No Love In Oklahoma" by Luke Combs) and a truck-driving entrance. But with a bit of a seat jolt and some wind blowing in your face, that entrance hits entirely differently. And those kinds of adjustments and experiences happen for the movie's entire duration.
By the end of the film, when the biggest storm hits our Oklahoma setting, wind is blowing everywhere, water is flying all around the auditorium, and the seats are jolting in every direction like a roller coaster—or, rather, like you're trying to free yourself from the grasp of a tornado. Everything is happening at all times and it's overwhelming in an extremely enjoyable way. Perhaps the most impressive part of the 4DX experience, though, is that these movements and effects aren't simply happening at random. Everything is meticulously planned, a script written by some genius somewhere to perfectly match the beats and moments on screen. It makes you wonder who, exactly, is doing it, and what other movies this format would make the most sense for (and be the most fun).
Given the wind and water effects, something like Jaws feels natural. Jurassic Park is a complete thrill ride and wouldn't you want to feel dinosaur breath in your face? Maybe not but it would be something. How about feeling like you're running away from a boulder like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark? (Come to think of it, most Steven Spielberg movies probably tend to fit the bill.)
More recent hits like Dune or either of George Miller's recent Mad Max films (Fury Road and Furiosa) could probably make great use of the elements. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, out this week, will be playing in the 4DX format and would certainly seem like an appropriate fit for a delightfully icky experience. When Gladiator II hits theaters later this year, you can bet the wind will be blowing in those 4DX theaters just like it was during filming in director Ridley Scott's completely rebuilt Romano Colosseum.
4DX isn't everywhere just yet. But at a time where it seems like movies are needing to offer something a bit more to those who can't be bothered to leave the reliability of streaming at home (or who can't stop from looking at their phones even once they get into the theater) this feels like the future. It's new, innovative, and, as I experienced the other night, kind of just works. I've been annoyed in recent years by people unable to put their phones away during long, serious movies. But when anyone's seat is shaking, and they're getting blasted with all sorts of wind and precipitation, checking texts and social media is probably going to be the very last thing on their mind.
How Can I See Twisters—and other movies—in 4DX?
You can see what's playing at your nearest 4DX theater—whether it's still Twisters, or something else (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, out this week, may make for an appropriately gross theater experience)—by checking the link below.
