So far, the new D-Box MFX technology has a limited release, with only a handful of movie theaters nationwide using the motion seats. I recently experienced the movement in one of these theaters: Emagine Canton of Michigan.
Canton Emagine
At Emagine Canton, the D-Box MFX motion seats represent two rows in just one of the 16 theaters in the megaplex and are centrally located within the stadium seats. At Emagine, you are assigned a specific D-Box seat, and only those seats purchased during a particular show are actually moved. The cost of a D-Box seat is above the normal ticket price.
Motion simulation
If you’ve ever ridden in a simulator in a science center or arcade, you know that seat belts are sometimes absolutely necessary. This begs the question, how much movement should I expect from the D-Box MFX seat? In other words, does the movement of the chair make the popcorn even more of a choking hazard?
The repertoire of the chair includes vibrations, shaking and rocking. Given the space limitations of traditional movie seats, the movement is much more subtle than a simulator and is primarily used to punctuate on-screen action and / or musical accompaniment. This means that the purchase of food and drinks is still appropriate.
While some movies offer more of a D-Box ride than others, most standard theatrical releases have long periods where there is no real action on screen. This translates into the D-Box code as no movement of the chair. Right now, the chair is more upright and less comfortable than a traditional movie seat.
Leading the movement
Like camera angles, scene pacing, and musical score, seat action (as determined by the D-Box code from the film’s print) requires a lot of thought and direction. After all, the action of the chair can be underused, overused, or simply misused. The goal should be to enhance the movie-going experience, not to distract you.
Gets better
The first consideration should be the movie itself. Not all movies are appropriate to enhance with a motion seat that rocks, rocks, shakes and vibrates, just because the technology is available doesn’t mean it should always be used.
The book of Eli
In a way, The Book of Eli, starring Denzel Washington, was a good D-Box guinea pig. A moody piece, rocking motion, and chair rumble like X-Box served to punctuate the musical score and help set the mood for the film’s opening scenes. On-screen action was also enhanced when characters jumped into a truck, experienced a sudden fall, or rocked in a boat.
The fight scenes were a lot less fun in the D-Box chair, which rocked you along with the fight choreography. Unfortunately, this sometimes left me empathizing with the nameless bully who was left sprawled on the ground at the end of the scene instead of the Eli from the film’s title. In fact, the appearance of a machine gun left me cowering with anticipation. Unsurprisingly, the D-Box movement resulted in bone shaking.
Appropriate movies
Given the motion menu available on a D-Box MFX seat, a horror movie, which is based on surprises and sudden bursts of action, would be a great vehicle for technology. The other types of movies that would benefit from the D-Box upgrade are roller coaster action movies. One movie that immediately springs to mind is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom . The runaway mine cart scene would be a lot of fun in a D-Box seat. Pouncing along with the flying dragon-like creatures in Avatar would also be an experience, although no one knows how well the D-Box syncs with 3D glasses.
D-Box Evolution
Much like the evolution of 3D technology, the D-Box MFX seat is sure to have some hits and misses along the way. For The Book of Eli , the additional cost per ticket was not worth the sometimes distracting experience. However, as seats become more available, the cost will undoubtedly decrease and the D-Box experience will be refined.
Meanwhile, what happened to the scratch cards that became popular in the movie Polyester ?
Cheap seats
Most of the regular seats are behind the D-Box seats in the theater, and the rocking, rattling, and swirling motion should be a bit of a pain for those people who didn’t shell out the extra money.
