By now, it’s likely that most — if not all — of you have watched Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and some of you with a pocket or pocketbook full of tissues may have even challenged yourself by seeing the great Marvel movie a second time. But if you haven’t yet experienced Wakanda (and Talokan) in 4DX, should you?
Oh, hell yeah, although if you suffered a pinched nerve (like yours truly did, or or any other sort of back/neck/shoulder injury) over the course of the past month or so, you should PROBABLY hold off. Luckily today I feel fine, but, man, was this movie intense in the fourth dimension! I got punched in the back a lot, and the last time I remember rocking-and-rolling this much in a 4DX chair was Deadpool 2. That.. was a “bruiser”.
YOU GOTS TO CHILL
As subtle and as poignant as Wakanda Forever can be at times, with much of it reflecting on the great life of Chad Boseman, the majority of the flick has some of the most intense action in all of the MCU. 4DX capitalizes on that notion, and actually innovates. Take it from someone who has reviewed 20+ movies in this format: Black Panther 2 joyfully offers a ton of 4DX effects that are either new or improved despite the punishing impact of most of the battle sequences.
That’s not to say that the 4DX seats don’t offer any subtlety. There are plenty of sweet moments of exotic serenity with your seat movement following high octane scenes. Quieter scene moments are definitely a vastly underrated element of the 4DX experience, and the mountains of Wakanda and the vast seas of Talokan serve this “chill time” perfectly — even going so far as to serve as a tour guide for our first time in the Atlantean/Aztecan seas.
VIBE.. VIBRATION.. STAKES IS HIGH
I don’t ever remember the 4DX seat vibrating so much in one film. And since BPWF’s whole premise is revolved around, ahem, vibranium, I’ve GOT TO credit the engineers for giving moviegoers a buzzing, pulsating sensation whenever there is vibranium involved, whether it’s from Namor the Sub-Mariner (an abso-wonderful Tenoch Huerta Mejia)’s aztec duds, Okoye’s spear, or, later, the new Black Panther’s newfound powers. Oh, yeah, especially the new Black Panther’s newfound powers. The seats will vibrate and let you know it’s coming and it’s an effect that helps differentiate this experience over the rest (I swear when that vibranium spear bolts the ground, it will have you thinking it’s another Cali quake!); more so, since the excellent hip-hop and African sounds are so important to the movie, you will also feel the bass THUMP right on your bottom.
Speaking of Namor, his little ankle wings receive arguably the coolest 4DX feature via rapidly flickering fans. That’s definitely a new one. You will also smell the “Atlantean” depths of Talokan, which also impresses in 3D. While I’m not the biggest fan of 3D, since those damn glasses are always uncomfortable and tend to hamper vision (not to mention are real easy to scuff up and get dirty), the fight scenes in Namor’s sea palace use the third dimension to a desirable effect. Remember when 3D was awesome 20-years ago because it felt like VR?
FLASH LIGHTS & FLASH FLOODS
I love the movie’s flashing effects. While it’s nothing new to 4DX, an early scene on a helipad utilizes the theater’s flashing lights to great use, especially when the helicopter swirls out of control. May-day, may-day!
As for the water.. you know, since a little less than half of the movie takes place there… OK, I gotta be honest: I don’t think the water function in my seat worked (Theater 6 at Regal Cinemas LA Live, seat F4, in case anyone wants to fix it). I pushed down on it and it got stuck; turned off and on, but pretty sure it just never went on. I do apologize since I could’ve/should’ve just changed seats.. but with seats that constantly move and being in a comfort zone of such a great film, I chose to just leave the water effects on the seats I sandwiched. I def felt some sprays from the nearby seats but the water didn’t feel as frequent as other movies (John Wick 3, The Meg). I also didn’t want to wet the 3D glasses I already despise. But, hey — at least I didn’t spoil everything for you when you go see it in 4DX!
4DX FOREVER
If you ever experienced 4DX, or just love intense Disney rides (yes, that’s such a thing to babies like me), then go check out Wakanda this way — if you can withstand crying again and again. I’m glad I waited since I’m not sure my eyes can take anymore water, even if it’s not from the format itself. Just know, that Wakanda Forever is giving this premium experience over 21 unique motion and environmental effects– and most of them will be very noticeable to 4D-vets like me.
Movie = 4.75/5
4DX = 4.5/5 Wakandan Whiskeys
-Travis Moody