Bad Idea of the Day: See Sherlock Holmes in a Motion Seat

Thanks to the guys at Cinema Blend, we’ve learned that you can watch the upcoming Sherlock Holmes in a moving seat, at least in the select theaters that offer the technology. You may be familiar with the concept: While watching something on a screen, your seat moves to mirror the motion you see. This is very popular in theme parks and even in arcades to a smaller extension, where it is usually done in a first-person perspective. For example, in Disneyland’s Star Tours, you are in a ship that is rocking around.


Sounds great, right? It is…for rides. The technology (called D-Box) is only used in a few theaters, and for good reason. It distracts from the film and doesn’t really add anything to non-action films. Could you imagine watching The Proposal in a motion seat? The point is, Sherlock Holmes does not meet the requirements for the type of film that could benefit it from the gimmick. You need a film experience like 2012 (which has used the tech), otherwise you’re paying for either nothing or a lot of random jostling around.





Josh at Cinema Blend brings up an interesting question. Doesn’t anybody just want to sit and watch a movie anymore? We’ve had 3D, motion seats, and many other distractions. I understand this point, but I’m going to play devil’s advocate here. With home entertainment technology improving exponentially and prices dropping just as fast, it’s hard for actual movie theaters to compete. Why overpay for tickets and food just to sit next to (not to mention have the film shown by) people you don’t know and usually don’t act appropiately? Just wait 3 months and you can buy the movie on Blu-ray and watch it on your 50″ HDTV with surround sound. In order for theaters to survive, they have to find innovative ways to get butts in the seat. The experience is what has to draw audiences. Right now it looks like they are investing in 3D, with fringe technologies peeking through as well.


Will any of this actually work to help the ailing theaters? Would you see Sherlock Holmes or any major studio film in a motion seat? Let us know in the comments below!


Sherlock Holmes opens nationwide Christmas Day.