New York Skyride (1994) watch online HD

This film was an "installation" piece at the Empire State Building and showed exclusively there. It was an exhibit specifically designed for tourists to view, and was presented in a special theater on the landmark building's second floor, several times an hour.

It was a short whimsical film, that gave viewers a quick tour around the Big Apple, in a "flight simulator" style that you may have experienced at a theme park or mall, with seats that shift and vibrate to give the sensation of movement as you look at the large screen. Though how much a visitor could see of the city during this adventure was questionable. It was really more an assault on the senses than a travelogue, using many of the clichés that New York City is known for as a part of the presentation . Also, with the camera techniques used in this film, the point was more about making it feel like a roller coaster than presenting suggestions of things to do or visit.

The production echoed another, more elaborate and useful presentation called "The New York Experience" from twenty years before that. However, this didn't present any sense of history or context or practical information as that earlier offering did. This was just a brief diversion as you waited for your chance to go up to the observation decks.

Hi! You look like you're interested in learning something about the Empire State Building - Take this movie with a grain of salt.

The production quality was completely lacking. The "ride" part of it was jarring and rather ridiculous. And poor Kevin Bacon, while charming, was trying REALLY hard to sell it as something completely awesome. Fail.

I was hoping that there were comment cards that we could have filled out... but alas, there were not.

NY Skyride is pushed HEAVILY by ESB staff and sales guys in the streets. It's a racket. A complete and total racket.

Bottom line - If you have the New York Pass, and a good buzz, go and try to enjoy it... you'll get to the observation deck relatively shortly. Or... just skip it and head on up...for a nominal fee. *cough cough*