Movies in 3D

[ChobiChibi]

So I just got back from watching The Avengers for the second time, but this time I saw it in 3D. It's the first film I've seen in 3D, so having already known what to expect from the first showing, I was wanting to know the difference.

The truth is, other than it enhancing the behinds of the female cast members and the guns of Hawkeye, I just didn't get the point.

The action, which in a normal showing was crisp, sharp and incredibly detailed, was all lost in 3D. Stuff flying past, towards or away from you just became extremely blurred. All motion in fight scenes were also blurry. You'd get sparks flying from the ceiling, but too far forward, so you had no perspective of where it was coming from.

Even in a static scene it was really distracting. I found that if you even glanced at the character in the background, all focus was lost. It might just be me, but I always look and see what's going on in the background, especially if I've seen a movie before.

But some of the perspective shots were amasing. Panning across Manhattan near the end, I really felt like I was looking down at the roofs of the buildings. So that I enjoyed.

So in conclusion, despite my love for the Avengers, I don't think I want to see a film in 3D again. It just didn't seem worth the extra money for something that didn't seem to enhance my experience that much. My eyes feel a little strained and my ears hurt from uncomfortable glasses (I wear specs normally, you'd think I'd be used to it).

What does everyone else think about 3D films? This isn't intended as an Avengers discussion (but omg, I <3 Avengers), but if you saw it in 3D, what did you think?

[mattbcl]

I agree that 3D did little to enhance the experience of The Avengers for me. Pretty much the only movie I've completely enjoyed in 3D was Avatar, because it was intended to be shot that way - and because it was a truly majestic panorama of a completely alien world.

But for The Avengers, I went and saw that in 3D twice, then again in 2D. And realized I'd overpaid the first two times. I might've used that cash for a bigger container of popcorn, or another box of candy. Really, I don't think they've nailed the usage of this technology yet, and it gives me a headache. The glasses are irritating (primarily because I already wear glasses, and wearing two pairs hurts my ears), and while I'm wearing them, I don't feel any more immersed in the world being presented than I was before.

Bottom line: they're over- or under-applying it to too many movies out there, and it needs to stop, or people like me will wait even for the blockbusters to hit the racks so we can avoid the usually awful murk of unnecessary 3D rendering.

[Blademaster]

I can't see in 3-D due to my left eye being irreparable. GOOD THING I BOUGHT A 3DS HUH?????? XDDDDDDD

[Crystal Mew]

The guy I'm dating always wants to see movies in 3D, including the Avengers so...whatever, I'm not paying for it anyway lol. I think pixar movies are the best to see in 3D though

[Samchu]

My initial reaction was to proclaim my love of Avengers 3D over Avengers 2D (not for Scarlet Johanson's ass, you pervs) but then I realised I saw it in 3D Imax which makes the comparison totally irrelevant.

Speaking of 3D films in general, I basically agree with Matt. Avatar was, is, and I fear always will be, the epitome of a 3D movie. Simply for the fact that James Cameron understands what 3D is about. The idea of 3D is that I feel immersed, even wearing ridiculously stupid giant glasses I feel like at any moment I could reach out and stroke that tree. And he shot that entire movie to reflect that understanding.

The rest of Hollywood, however, appears to have one of two approaches to 3D. The first and most common: Here's a great 2D movie. Let's 3D it for more money. The second and, whilst amusing at first is just boring now: Well you know we have that one scene where this happens, if we film it like this it'll be like it's coming out at the audience.

Aka, 3D is just a cash cow or a gimmick. The first leaves you wishing you'd just paid to watch 2D instead, whereas the second gives you the same feeling with the added insult that you walk away feeling like the studio just had to flaunt its 3D tool in your face simply because it can.

That said, I find the in-your-face gimmick works well on animated movies. I have to say that I have yet to walk away disappointed from an animated 3D movie.

[Becky]

My friend Andrew and I went to see Ghost Rider 2 in 3D specifically for an amusing day at the movies. I didn't notice a big difference with the 3D effects, but I basically agree with Samchu and Matt. Incidentally, I also didn't realize that there was a disposal set up just for the 3D glasses...

[Blademaster]

My initial reaction was to proclaim my love of Avengers 3D over Avengers 2D (not for Scarlet Johanson's ass, you pervs)

Tell us no lies and we'll ask you no questions

[Shadow Wolf]

Well, I've seen a few 3D movies and I arrived to the following conclusion:

Animated movies work better in 3D than other types of movies. Like how "Dreamworks: How to Train your Dragon" had better effect in 3D than "Resident Evil 5".

BTW, is it weird that I didn't notice Scarlett Johanson's attributes until you guys mentioned it? I guess I can be truly clueless sometimes.

[Rossymore]

I find that animated movies and movies designed for 3D work with 3D, because they were made in 3D. Funny that.
Hopefully this will be a fad like it was in the 80s, or every single movie from now until better technology comes along will be in 3D. Maybe one day, 2D will become obsolete.

Let's hope that never happens.

[Oslo]

Yeah, add Oslo to the list of people who couldn't care less about 3D. I have some friends who go nuts for 3D and I'm not sure whether it's just my eyes but most of the time I find it barely noticeable, even in movies that were produced for 3D (rather than converted during post-production). Generally, I only notice it during one or two scenes in the whole movie... the tunnels in Coraline, the landscape shots in How to Train Your Dragon/Avatar, the ballroom scene in the 3D rerelease of Beauty and the Beast, etc. One scene in an entire movie is not worth the extra cash.

Sometimes it's really obvious when a particular shot has been inserted into the movie for the sake of creating a neat 3D effect. In Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, for example, the cart ride through Gringotts and the weird Harry/Voldemort flying battle scene during the end were clearly shot so that IT LOOKS LIKE STUFF IS FLYING RIGHT AT THE AUDIENCE AND WOAH. When a movie draws attention to itself as a movie, though, I feel myself getting tugged out of the narrative. It kind of kills it for me.

Also, strapping chunky plastic glasses over my real glasses is just silly.

[Dark Sage]

3-D versions are a waste. The glasses are annoying, and from what I've seen, they're even more annoying to young children. And the visual experience is never worth it.

3-D movies should have been left behind when the 60's monster movie craze ended. When I go to the movies, I save my money and watch the regular 2-D version.

[Telume]

There is honestly no point in seeing movies in 3-D. Maybe 1 or 2 little effects but, you're basically overpaying for those 1-2 little effects.

20 dollars for a 3-D movie ticket? That's 6 gallons of gas, if you wanna see it in 3-D buy the 2-D ticket and bring your own 3-D glasses (if you have any lying around). It's the same damn thing at half the cost.

[Blademaster]

I'd pay extra to see a 4-D movie. Gimmick or not, that is going to be a Hell of a day in cinematic history.

(Spoiler:) inb4fourthdimensionistime, shut up wiseass. I mean SPACIAL dimensions.

[Perfect Chaos]

I'll pay more when we get 3D lesbian porn

Double D's that pop out even MORE? Yes please

[RedStarWarrior]

3D is often gimmicky, but I believe it will eventually become standard, and the prices better fucking drop.

[Magmar]

I don't like 3D movies... but I did love Pocahontas Avatar for the amazing visuals. That one sparkly scene in the woods? YES. Stunning.

[Jeff]

As a 3DS owner who hasn't seen any 3D movies lately, my best impression of 3D comes from the 3DS.

I usually prefer to play it with the 3D turned on. When I first started playing it I thought the 3D effect was cool, now I'm used to it, but when I turn it off it just feels like something's missing.

I see the 2D to 3D transition as being the modern version of B&W to color. When devices started going color, color was used as a gimmick. A good example was Zelda DX for the Gameboy Color, which had that one extra dungeon that had various color-based puzzles. 3D was gimmicky at first (and in many cases, still is), but it's slowly transitioning to where it's just there, and only serves to make the movie/game/whatever more immersive. I can see it eventually becoming the standard, just like color did.