I made it through the first half of the year without seeing a single movie in the theater. It wasn’t a goal or anything, I just didn’t find anything compelling enough to make me spend the time and money. In the past two weeks I’ve seen as many in-theater movies, and nearly every trailer concluded by bragging about the upcoming film’s availability in “stunning” 3D. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, given the trend, but I can’t shake the feeling that 3D is more of a fad than a step forward.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen Avatar or because my eyes don’t quite work together, but I’m not convinced that 3D adds anything to a movie presentation. To me, it feels like a gimmick, a new technology the entertainment industry decided would be the next big thing, not an organic response to customer demand or a natural progression of technology. I mean, how many people go to a movie and say, “Wow, this is decent, but it would be really fantastic if it was in 3D?”
Contrast this with digital theaters (sometimes branded as “IMAX”). This is more of a natural improvement, transitioning from crackly analog film to clear digital video and multichannel sound. Perhaps in a few years I’ll be eating my words, but 3D seems like nothing more than an excuse to charge extra for tickets and sucker people into buying new home entertainment products. It’s not even the goofy glasses or narrow viewing angle—these are things that will improve with time. I think even real, holographic 3D would be a different, parallel medium to 2D films, mirroring the relationship films have with books or videos have with pictures
4 responses to “Three-D, Leave Me Be”
I’ve yet to see any of these 3D movies, but I agree it seems like a fad that I hope will go away. IMAX (real IMAX, not the fake ones) is still pretty amazing though.
Honestly, even “fake” IMAX is pretty incredible compared to traditional film showings. I see a huge difference between digital and analog presentations, anyway. It definitely pales in comparison to the humongous screens and earth-shaking sound of actual IMAX though.
I will have you know that 3D films are awful! Oh wait, you agree with me.
If they can make a 3D film that doesn’t require you to wear douchey glasses, and doesn’t distract you from the film (like people who text during movies (I see that bright light you fuckers)) then maybe I could enjoy it.
But the absolute worst thing is when they take a shitty film, realize it’s going to be shitty, and decide they can boost sales by going back and 3D-ing part of it. I hate Hollywood. I’m gonna go anger cry now.
It’s a money-making attempt that reeks of desperation.