The era of 3D movies
By Jeann Wong
3D films are not a new concept; they’ve actually been around for decades. IMAX theatres have been showing 3D movies for ages. These days, almost every new cinema release is being offered in 3D. Is this trend just a phase, or is it here to stay?
Last year, sci-fi flick Avatar awed audiences all over the globe with its amazing 3D presentation. Avatar was the first movie to use modern stereoscopic technology to actually film real life sets in 3D. The movie was shot with two cameras side-by-side and the dual images were combined to produce a single, three-dimensional image.
Since Avatar’s success as the highest grossing film of all time, the film industry has never been the same. Future 2010 and 2011 releases will contain at least sixty 3D releases, more than ever before. Everything from the CGI animated movies to action flicks and comedies will jump on this new bandwagon. Unfortunately, not all of these movies will make use of the latest filming technology and 3D effects are added post production, such as Clash of the Titans and Alice in Wonderland.
Many post production films have received backlash from critics and viewers as the 3D effects are usually added as an afterthought - while still being offered at the higher ticket price. Post production movies only have superficial layers of depth that aren’t really that impressive, compared to the many layers of depth in a properly 3D filmed movie. Just look at the screen with your special glasses off and you will be able to see the difference.
Despite this new trend in cinematics, the backlash has already flowed onto the public as many 3D movies – even those filmed with 3D cameras – fail to succeed at the box office. Recent dancing flick Step Up 3D made less than the previous two films in its debut weekend, which is mostly attributed to the tiredness of the franchise despite its’ first 3D offering. Most people opted to see Shrek Forever After in 2D rather than in 3D, despite heavily advertising the 3D option. Last but not least, Toy Story 3, the highest earning animated film to date, earned most of its revenue from its 2D counterpart.
Because of this new trend, films that don’t need to be 3D are offered in 3D. It might be cool to see action moves come at you and animated characters jump out of the screen, but does a 3D comedy deliver more laughs? Does a 3D romance deliver more emotion? It’s scary to think how far this trend will go.
There are also the problems that viewers might experience when adjusting to the new dimensions of the screen. Some people can’t watch 3D at all because it makes them nauseous, or experience vertigo – dizziness that comes with motion when you’re actually sitting still. Headaches and eyestrain are also a cause of trying to focus too much on the 3D screen.
Why is the film industry so eager to push this technology, despite the low quality of apparent 3D films and the decline in viewers? It’s obvious that revenue is the root cause of this as 3D film tickets are offered at a surcharge when compared to the already exorbitant prices of a normal movie.
Back in 2008, film companies were battling declining movie sales due to piracy and high ticket prices. People weren’t willing to go see a movie during the recession, often settling in with a DVD instead. Torrent site The Pirate Bay was sued by Hollywood companies as a popular source of movie piracy. When Avatar made its sales records in 3D filming, this was touted as the saviour for the film industry. Unfortunately for Hollywood, this trend is already fading as evident by declining box office sales and the public backlash.
We’re already tired of lacklustre 3D movies, opting to see the 2D option instead. 3D movies are definitely a dying fad and it’d take more than a few hits to respark our interest.