We have seen the future of film. And we've felt it, smelled it and been sprayed by it!
Total MK attended the first screening of the new 4DX experience in the country last night - a red carpet event at Cineworld here in Milton Keynes.
Pre-show, we were given a tour behind the scenes by Cineworld MK manager Mark Johnson - a chance to observe the air compressors and scent machines set to deliver the magic at this multi-sensory experience.
Speaking before the start of Kingsman: The Secret Service, Cineworld Chief Executive Moshe Greidinger addressed the audience - including comedian Russell Kane, presenter Jameela Jamil, singer Ella Eyre and actor Luke Pasqualino - explaining a little about the dawn of this new cinematic experience.
"Cineworld Milton Keynes is our first location among many others to come," he said.
"At Cineworld, we are committed to differentiating ourselves - ensuring we are at the forefront of innovation and technology, while giving our customers the most enhanced cinematic experience there is.
"This amazing new venture allows our customer to choose not only which movie they wish to see, but also how they want to watch it."
Milton Keynes Mayor Derek Eastman did the honours and cut the ribbon, well reel, before the popcorn-plied attendees settled back, expectantly, ready to be entertained by Kingsman, with its impressive cast headed up by Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Taron Egerton.
It wasn't long before rows of pristine 4DX seats were rocking and rolling, and we were flying high. That's really how it felt at times.
When punches were thrown, we felt them, when explosions went off, we smelled them, and every now and then we got prodded in the back too, for good measure.
[gallery link="file" ids="7791,7792,7790,7797,7795,7793"]We were blasted with wind, sprayed by water and even witnessed the auditorium filled by a burst of bubbles.
A multi-sensory, breathtaking experience was promised, and so it proved to be. Of course it costs more to be seated for a 4DX experience, but it's worth the extra pennies.
The high-tech - incredibly comfortable - motion seats are supplemented by 15 special effects in all, which work in perfect synchronicity with the on-screen happenings.
The 140 seater auditorium took more than five months to complete, and the screen is a beast - measuring 5.8m x 10.5m - that's bigger than a double decker bus.
Rather than looking in on the action, you really are a part of it, and with a terrific amount of leg room even us long-legged sorts were at ease throughout the whole film.
We were promised it would be an immersive experience, and so it proved to be - part roller-coaster, part vigorous massage chair, with lots of extras!
Not all films will be party to this new experience, though. Which is just as well for those who will be settling down to watch 50 Shades of Grey in the near future!
4DX is set to put the wow-factor back into your trip to the movies.
Cineworld have delivered Cinemagic.
By Sammy Jones
