LOS ANGELES -- A grand opening ceremony Tuesday morning at Universal Studios Hollywood introduced a new technologically advanced ride called "Fast &Furious - Supercharged," bringing the thrills of the movie into the Southern California theme park.
The new ride has been incorporated into the classic Universal Studio Tour. It tells the original Fast &Furious story and includes several stars from the films.
"Supercharged" uses water and wind to make the experience more tangible and is aimed at making the riders feel like racing down the street at about 120 mph.
The latest attraction is a hydraulic motion-based ride that integrates sophisticated special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system, with which 3D-HD images are projected onto the world's longest and most expansive 360-degree screen that measures nearly 400 feet in length.
According to a statement, this customized screen employs 34,4000 projectors and a specially configured projection system to immerse the visitors in an unprecedented reality.
"Fast &Furious is an exhilarating global film phenomenon that has been consistently characterized as a thrill ride. Now we can officially say it is," said Larry Kurzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood.
"As Universal Studios Hollywood's ambitious epic transformation continues as part of our 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to bring Universal's incredibly compelling film franchise to life."
The official opening of the ride is on Wednesday, June 24.
