With the recent success of the box office smash-hit, Avatar, it seems as though everything is moving in the direction of 3D. In the past, a 3D film was something reserved for studying the solar system, amusement park rides, and lately, Hannah Montana’s and Jonas Brothers’ concerts. The 3D movement is taking over the silver screen.
Disney/Pixar has been the most notable in pioneering this field. First there was Chicken Little, then the concerts, Bolt, Up, G-Force, the Toy Story trilogy, Alice in Wonderland, and there has also been mention of a re-release of the 1991 classic, Beauty and the Beast, which was nominated for an Oscar for best picture back in its prime. The fact that Disney is revamping classics such as Beauty and the Beast is a clear signal to the rest of the industry that the 3D movement is here to stay and can turn a hefty profit.
It has been announced that the final two installments of the Harry Potter films will be released in 3D. Part one of the seventh book was originally not filmed with 3D technology, but it is being transferred for about $5 million before its premiere in November of this year. Harry Potter’s final flick will be shot in 3D and will be released in July 2011.
Not to be outdone, the Twilight franchise has been rumored to be toying with their options for the final installment(s). Similarly, they are also thinking about splitting the concluding book into two movies, but no contractual agreements have been reached with the actors or the production studio. Their upcoming movie, Eclipse, is set to release this summer, but in normal, 2D fashion.
I think cartoons and animated films are much better in 3D on the silver screen because they are imaginary, and most things in cartoons are not designed to be life-sized anyway. It’s believable that a flying house hoisted up by balloons would be gigantic. It makes sense that a pancake big enough to blanket a school would have giant pats of butter that come rushing towards my open mouth. But humans? I think it’s best if we stick to cartoons.
I don’t think human beings will be portrayed well in 3D, because of their larger than life-size on the silver screen. It doesn’t make sense for the audiences to stare at giants that are only supposed to be as big as they are. I can almost understand seeing spells fly out of the screen at my face, but if it were a curse or jinx, it would be a little intimidating if a viewer was too absorbed in the plot. Likewise, seeing a giant werewolf might give someone nightmares if it bares its teeth with anger in its eyes inches from their nose.
At the rate we are going, it’s going to be the norm soon that movies are presented in 3D-ride simulation, also known as 4D, which is a 3D film, but inclusive of the smells, seat movements and aerial views, with a breeze or a splash of water in the audience’s face. Amusement parks, such as Six Flags Great Adventure, in Jackson, NJ, have been doing this type of thing for years. Originally they had “the Right Stuff” in their 4D Theater, and for the past two years, have had a film called “Fly me to the Moon,” which is about teenage flies that are stowaways inside Apollo 11 during the mission to land on the moon.
The movement towards 3D movies needs to end with 3D movies only used for special releases. It makes me dizzy thinking about all the movies that are set to come out in 3D. Not to mention, it burns a hole through my wallet. Movie tickets double in price for 3D films.
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