3D: Is it a passing craze yet again or is it here to stay?

3D: Is it a passing craze yet again or is it here to stay?

We've seen the 3D craze a couple times before, but will it stick this time around? You be the judge.

Editorial Opinion
By ecksmanfan - Jan 12, 2010 11:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Other

The recent influx of 3D movies has me perplexed: Is this yet another fad, as it has been the last several times it hit theaters, or is this actually going to stick this time? Ask all the "professionals" and they will tell you that 3D films will be the new standards; but hey, if they don't promote the company they work for, they are out of a job. So, naturally, they are going to be positive about the current trend.



Jus a quick history of the 3D film before I get into the "Editorial" part of this article. I was suprised to see that this style of film has actually been around since the beginning of the 20th century. The "Golden Era" of 3D films is considered to be during the years of 1952-1955, in which movie goers were pulled into such films as "Man in the Dark," "House of Wax" (no Paris Hilton in this one, mind you), "The House on Haunted Hill" and "13 Ghosts."



From there, we move into the "Revival" which occurred during the years of 1980-1984. Some of us from the older crowd may remember films like "Jaws 3-D," "Parasite," and "Friday the 13th Part III." Now, there were a few other periods where 3D films snuck into the lime-light again, but these are the major time periods. One thing they all have in common are the good ol' red and blue paper-framed glasses. See Mr. Vader above for an example.

Now days, it seems just about every other movie that is released is in 3D IMAX format. It seems, in my eyes at least, that this format works best with animated films, such as Robert Zemeckis' "Beowulf" and more recently, his adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."



Enter James Cameron's "Avatar." Now, I am not here to discuss the quality of the film, rather the technology of the film is what piqued my interest here. The style of animation and 3D filming process is truly ground-breaking and it really helps the case that 3D films are here to stay.



It is fair to say that 3D movies have a preconceived reputation that after the film is over you have headaches, nausea (both during and after the film), as well as the joy of wearing the most uncomfortable glasses known to man. But they have come a long way, as fewer and fewer people complain of such issues.

Now to my point: With at least four, maybe five different eras of 3D films, what is it that has people thinking 3D movies are here to stay? Each time these movies are released, they all boast new and ground breaking technology, yet 5 years later, the 3D films are gone and movie goers have moved on. First thing that comes to my mind is the money factor. Theaters and/or studios are able to charge any where from $2 to $5 more per movie ticket, sometimes more. Is this greed or an attempt to cover the cost of filming with such technology? Both I'd suspect. Studios and 3D filming companies are so big on this idea that they are paying for theaters to upgrade their screens to handle the new technology, as there are only about 1,000 screens out of approximately 40,000 in the country that can handle the techology. This leads me to think that they will be forcing 3D films down our throats for some time.

I don't mind seeing films in 3D, but it's not something that makes me go see a film...I could take it or leave it. I think it works for kid's movies, as it helps hold the attention of their little ADHD minds (no offense to any readers). I'm OK with not seeing Spiderman or Iron Man in regular movie technology. I go to a movie to escape reality and I have to say that 3D films just don't add to the experience for the most part. Are there films that I will see in 3D? You bet! I don't think I would have enjoyed "Avatar" as much had I not. Let's face it, most of us will head to the theaters in hoardes to see the next Batman or Transformers films whether they are in 3D or not.

All that being said, I can't help but think that this current "era" will be just like the others and will slowly come to an end. I believe this one may last longer than the others, but it will die off eventually. And if I'm wrong, I will gladly eat crow and admit my misjudgement.

What say you CBM-ers?
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OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 1/12/2010, 1:09 PM
i think it's the glasses that turn people off. at least it does for me. i don't want to have to put on glasses to watch sports center in 3D. now instead of searching high and low for the remote i've gotta make sure i have my glasses ready too. i hope it's a passing craze, leave it for the theatres and theme parks. it's a good gimmick, but as long as you have to wear glasses to watch it, it will always be that... a gimmick.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 1/12/2010, 2:02 PM
Its a gimmick for any studio that makes a cgi kid film they use the 3D technology to make them more money. It shouldn't be used in every movies. It should be used when it can be used. Like Avatar's 3D was subtle, certain things were in 3D but not everything.
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