3D is hardly a new thing. The first 3D film was actually in 1922, and the format was used sporadically throughout the next few decades, but commercially there were two major phases prior to the one we are now in. One was in the early 50s, one was in the early 80s, and both phases died out quickly, in part due to cost. Of course IMAX then began to show non-fiction films in the format, and from 2006 a number of animated films started to be shown in 3D in select cinemas such as A Nightmare Before Christmas and Bolt. It was the development of Real D 3D that encouraged a resurgence in live action films being shot in the format, mostly horror films like My Bloody Valentine,and then Avatar got huge numbers of people interested in the format, inspiring more and more films to be shot in 3D, or, more often, to be converted into 3D.
My Bloody Valentine was a fun experience in 3D, full of the expected blood and sharp implements comin’ at ya, and I did think it made this unremarkable slasher movie a more fun experience. Unfortunately, people often looked like cardboard cut outs at the front of the screen, or looked like they were elsewhere and matted in. Sadly, this is a serious problem with Real D 3D and personally it takes me out of the movie. Despite this, I do remember believing James Cameron’s promise on Avatar being an amazing experience in 3D. Aside from the film itself, which didn’t impress me much, I would say it only succeeded 50% technically. The scenes involving computer effects really did immerse me in an almost trance-like way, and often really did seem like they were real. I remember thinking I could touch some of those plants. Sadly, the people still looked like bloody cardboard cutouts or just didn’t seem to be there, which proved to me that Cameron’s talk of perfecting the format was nonsense.
Sadly the film was a huge hit though and encouraged a rash of studios to add the 3D in post-production such as Clash Of The Titans and Alice In Wonderland, where it usually looked like two or three scenes were in proper 3D and the rest not much different from normal. Tron: Legacy promised a lot, but to me was another major disappointment, along with the recent 3D conversion of The Lion King, which I thought seemed especially pointless and poor. It was like watching a pop-up book come to life. Now I sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but I want to be impressed, I really do. Sadly though, apart from some scenes of Avatar and the odd computer animated movie, I just haven’t been. Neither do I enjoy seeing a film darker than it should be, a case with most 3D movies. What I really resent is cinemas almost forcing me to watch certain films in 3D and making me pay more in the process. I don’t think 3D is worth the extra money, so why should I pay it? Every now and again, there are encouraging signs that the general public are getting tired of 3D, but then something comes along, makes money and ruins things again.
What I really don’t understand is when people often praise the 3D when it is things like “unobtrusive” and “subtle”. Well, screw unobtrusive and subtle? 3D is a gimmick, it doesn’t make things look more real unless they are completely unreal i.e.digital effects, so in my view it is little more than a gimmick. A gimmick that is fun at times, but still just a gimmick. Therefore it should be used as a gimmick. I hate it that certain filmmakers are putting 3D into older films that were not shot in the format and feature much stuff that isn’t computer effects, and not just because I think they would look awful. I suppose one should have expected George Lucas to get in on the act with the Star Wars films, but, in my limited knowledge of technology, I just can’t see them looking good. I don’t think it’s about art, it’s about bloody George making more money off us again. And us mugs will probably give it to him.
I was quite impressed by Martin Scorsese’s use of 3D in Hugo; there was even a certain amount of wit in its employment, such as when we see George Melies’s winking moon in 3D. It didn’t need the 3D though. For the most part, while I still think the format is fun for horror and CG animated films, I wish that 3D would just piss off. It’s nowhere near perfect, it doesn’t make a bad film any better and in most cases it’s just an excuse for the punter to be ripped off. And don’t even get me started on the subject of 3D Blu Ray!
I will only watch a film in 3D if it’s been filmed in 3D. As you say, a lot of films converted in post makes things look like card board cut outs (which is particularly apparent on TV). Avatar is the only only film to genuinely impress me with its immersive 3D, but the film itself was just OK. These days I tend to avoid 3D, regardless of how it’s filmed, because it still feels like a novelty, and when tickets for standard 2D films are expensive enough, that novelty just feels like a rip-off. However, there is one great thing about 3D, and that’s the amount of major re-releases we’re starting to get.
I’m looking forward to seeing the Star Wars movies in the cinema again, and while it’s rather presumptuous of me to expect them to have a 2D screening as well, I will be seeing them in that format as opposed to the intended 3D.
Gotta say I loathe 3D and will purposely avoid it if visiting the cinema. I recently saw the final Potter installment in 3D and then had to go back a week later to watch it in 2D because the transfer was so dark. Avatar, as previously mentioned was the exception, an ordinary film with great special effects and impressive 3D. However it would appear this was a one-off with the dismal Tron: Legacy proving a terrible disappointment for promoters of this format. The only think that will save 3D is the major investment that the studios have risked on this ‘fad’? I think it is only a matter of time before the big buckz boys turn their backs on this technological hopeful, cut their losses and admit defeat.
Very interesting article there Doc. I have never seen a 3D film yet, and I have no intention to. Couple of reasons being the price of the tickets and also the novelty. I think it’d wreck my eyes and I really cannot be bothered sitting through an hour and a half film with my eyes on stalks.
Oh yes, now this is a great read and very funny Doc! I feel your pain. Oddly enough the best film I have seen in 3D, apart from Avatar, was Drive Angry 3D. I didn’t actually see it in 3D, but there were numerous moments where you can see exactly where the 3D would have worked, and it was like a good old fashioned gimmick. Yes, it is fun to be immersed in a 3D film and feel like your actually in it, but I want things flying out the screen which make me duck and scream out “shit!!! It’s coming right at us!!!”