So after seeing the quite frankly spectacular The Lion King in 4DX, there was no question that my next experience would be a Hobbs and Shaw 4DX experience.
4DX fans have raved about the Fast and Furious films bringing the most intense 4DX experiences and boy were they not wrong. Thanks to 4DX for inviting me down once again to check out the movie.
Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) team up together to stop the bionically enhanced human Brixton Lore (Idris Elba) from getting his hands on a virus that will cull humanity.
A virus that is currently being carried inside the body of Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby). A lady who just so happens to be Deckard’s sister. That is the entire plot for 2 hours and 16 minutes of alpha-male adrenaline-fuelled, dick-size comparing fun.
The first film to step away from the Fast and Furious franchise and begin a new line of spin-offs. With incredible action sequences and some much welcome comedic relief makes the film enjoyable if albeit predictable.
It seems Hobbs and Shaw is very much a cut and paste of tired and tested action movie tropes. There’s certainly nothing new going on here. It’s over the top to a laughable degree, cheesy and hugely flawed. But it’s still fun to watch!
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham have this macho chemistry throughout which is strangely endearing. The comedic relief certainly helps to tone down the onslaught of explosions, bullets and fight sequences. They bounce off each other really well and you can clearly see much fun was had on set.
Sadly Vanessa Kirby is under-utilised which is strange given that she’s the focal point of this movie. Her action sequences are great but there really isn’t much depth to her character whatsoever.
The script is trying to force chemistry with Hobbs’ character and there’s just no need. Hobbs and Shaw should stick to its ‘disengage brain’ Fast and Furious counterparts without trying to dig beneath the surface looking for deeper meanings.
My favourite part of the entire film was the cameos. I won’t be naming names but the two main cameos in this film actually steal the entire movie. The two actors involved are absolutely hilarious and give a little wink and nod to the fans and personal friendships between these group of actors.
Being a Fast and Furious spin-off I was hoping to see cars, cars and more cars. Other than a beautiful McLaren 720S car chase sequence and a hot-rod style helicopter chase near the end there really wasn’t anything much of note. We see inside Shaw’s lair which shows numerous McLarens and a little mini parked at the end. With a wink and nod line to The Italian Job that’s just about it.
The cameo’s really make this movie. They bring the perfect escapism to all the madness
Some sequences shot in Hawaii (Labelled as Samoa in the film, Hobbs’s home) are lush. Vibrant and stunning cinematography but then more forced narratives occur. One example of this is the Samoan family scene. The film tries to replicate the brotherhood and the true meaning of family but falls horribly flat.
As with every relationship in this film, it all feels too forced whereas Vin Diesel made it all look so easy tying family bonds and relationships together. This spin-off literally spun off the rails completely at times.
I saw the multi-media screening at Leicester Square, London and I wasn’t feeling hopeful. The screening was a day before general release (usually means the film is going to suck) and free pizza was being handed out to boost those review stars. Thankfully, the 4DX screening in Birmingham had their equipment working correctly and no bribes were involved. Hobbs and Shaw is not a great film but my oh my did the 4DX tech boost my cinematic immersion. It really shouldn’t be watched any other way.
Hobbs and Shaw in 4DX
For the most part of the 2D experience, there was no immersion. I was quite frankly a little bored at times too. In 4DX The McLaren car chase sequence has your motion seat going into overdrive. Thrown headfirst into the chase, every vibration of the engine felt throughout and the wind flowing in your hair with every acceleration. The seats feel as thou they’re going to fall off the rails during every action sequence and there’s a lot of them!
The fighting sequences hit intense back prods. Harsh jolts of the seat and whips of wind behind your ears as bullets fly around the screen. I’m on a rollercoaster that feels as thou it hasn’t passed its health and safety assessment and I’m absolutely loving it! Two scenes, in particular, are stunning. The car chase (image above) being one of them and a scene directly before going down the side of a building. Your seat arches forward almost throwing you out and the wind blows directly at you. It’s quite intense!
Overall
The craziness of the scenes in Hobbs and Shaw allows the 4DX to just run wild. It’s a 2 hour+ effects demo of epicly vigorous proportions. It’s certainly no match for The Lion King in 4DX thou, however.
If you’re prone to motion sickness I highly recommend you stay away from this particular screening. It’s a rather lengthy and bumpy ride. Logic goes out of the window and it’s a pure adrenaline junkie thrilling journey with a 4DX seat at your mercy. Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be a crazy ride!
Book your 4DX tickets today at https://www.cineworld.co.uk/4dx
Review by Sean Evans
Summary
Whilst as a whole Hobbs and Shaw for me is a 3/5 movie the 4DX experience improved my enjoyment of it tenfold. You really shouldn’t watch this movie any other way!
