Introducing Major Movie Theater Screening Formats [IMAX, 4DX, Dolby]

Hello, I'm Ken!
Recent movie theaters have introduced screening systems that emphasize "experiencing" rather than just "watching," such as enjoying a sense of presence with booming sound or having fun like an attraction.These systems are being adopted for more films.This applies not only to Hollywood blockbusters but also to an increasing number of Japanese films.

I visit theaters more than 10 times a year and have watched a wide range of works in various formats.

This time, I will re-introduce the features and appeal of major movie theater screening formats. I hope my experience as a movie lover will be helpful to you!

IMAX

First, I would like to introduce "IMAX."

Its biggest feature is that it is equipped with a curved giant screen. With vivid images and realistic sound, you can enjoy a sense of presence as if you have entered the world of the movie.

This is well-suited for movies depicted dynamically, such as sci-fi and fantasy.

For example, in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," the aspect ratio was expanded vertically compared to normal, enhancing the sense of presence in the magnificent galaxy world. In particular, the scene where you look out the window of the spaceship from the character's perspective while flying became a powerful scene as if you were riding along.

The sound is expressed widely, and the upbeat Western music played during the battle was loud enough to resonate in my stomach.

This work was 3D compatible, and while it usually looks dark through the lenses of glasses, it was overall bright and very easy to see in IMAX.

4DX

Next, I will introduce "4DX."

It is an experience-based attraction theater where your five senses are stimulated by seats moving and special effects such as wind, water, and scents in sync with the movie scenes.

This system is recommended when watching action movies featuring vehicles.

In my experience, "Mission: Impossible" was great. In particular, the seats shook violently during the scene where they were speeding on motorcycles, which doubled the thrill.

The seats shake quite violently, so those prone to motion sickness and those bringing in food and drinks should be careful.You will need to store your bags in a locker before watching, and you will need a 100-yen coin for this, so please prepare one in advance.

Also, for 4DX, there is "ULTRA 4DX," which combines 4DX with "SCREEN X," where images are projected not only on the front screen but also on the left and right walls to fill your field of vision.

Dolby Cinema

The last one I will introduce is "Dolby Cinema."

By combining "Dolby Vision," which offers high-definition color and contrast, with "Dolby Atmos," which provides three-dimensional sound effects,the movie is brought to life, allowing you to experience a deep sense of immersion.

This isrecommended because you can enjoy colorful visuals when watching animated films.

For example, in "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," the Mushroom Kingdom was depicted vividly, and the contrast between light and dark was very sharp. In dark scenes, the theater became so dark that the edges of the screen were no longer visible.

There was also an immersive feeling where dialogue and sound effects moved freely and could be heard all around.

Additional Fees

For these screening formats, an additional fee is added to the regular ticket price.

Prices vary by theater, but I have included a table below with an example.

Conclusion

How was it?

While they are all on the expensive side, they are worth watching for your favorite movies, so I recommend experiencing them at least once. Please take this opportunity to visit the theater and enjoy them.

That is all for this time.
See you soon, everyone!

Image source
Header
https://screenonline.jp/_ct/17288517

https://qetic.jp/life-fashion/4dxwithscreenx-190319/311587/

https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1460026.html

[1]　https://screenonline.jp/_ct/17288517

[2]　https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/24157216/

[3]　https://ot20503.hatenablog.com/entry/2018/03/12/221327

[4]　https://iko-yo.net/facilities/176357/photos/facility_photos/244613

[5]　https://www.phileweb.com/sp/review/article/201608/02/2141.html

[6]　https://www.biccamera.com/bc/c/av/theater/index.jsp