As home theater systems get better and better, theater chains are looking for ways to get butts in seats. What experience can they bring the viewer that cannot be replicated at home? Right now, 3D is the big thing–though not a lot of hardcore film fans love it, it’s managed to be a profitable format for theaters and studios alike. 4D is something that’s been around for a bit. There have been amusement park rides that take advantage of it, but the closest we’ve seen to 4D in the mainstream have been with D-Box theaters, which are well-known for their shaking seats. But with BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, it sounds like things have been taken to a whole new level.

A recent report from The Verge reveals that BATMAN v SUPERMAN will be one of the first films to take advantage of this unique format, which has more than just shaking seats.

“The upcoming superhero flick will show at NYC’s first ever 4DX theaters, with the technology providing environmental effects synced with the movie, including ‘motion-activated seats, wind, fog, rain, lightning, vibration, snow, and scents.’ BATMAN v SUPERMAN will be the first film to show at the new 4DX-enabled screens at Regal Cinemas’ Union Square location on March 25th (and Regal Cinemas’ E-Walk 13 on April 28th), but other films will follow.”

As mentioned before, this experience is something that’s pretty much been exclusive to theme parks. If you’ve been to Disneyland, they had the HONEY, I SHRUNK THE AUDIENCE show for the longest time. That particular show had gimmicky aspects thrown in, like mist being thrown onto the audience when the dog sneezed. While stuff like this is pretty cool, one has to wonder if this is something that would ever catch with mainstream audiences.

While studios and theaters are always looking for reasons to jack up ticket prices, audiences are rarely willing to foot the bill, especially when the experience is seen as unnecessary or gimmicky. But with big blockbusters like BATMAN v SUPERMAN, would it be something worth leaving your home for? 

What do you think? Does 4D interest you in the slightest, or are you more of a film purist? Let us know your thoughts below!

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SOURCE: The Verge