Should 3D become as wide spread as it is? (Movies, TV, etc.)
Yes
No
0voters
I think of 3D as a treat. A once in a while sort of thing but now it is everywhere. Most animated movies are 3D now, now we are getting 3D TV! It angers me because I believe if it’s not used correctly, it completely ruins the movie for me. Another thing would be the glasses you have to wear. Imagine watching TV with glasses on the whole time. I gotta say that I would not enjoy myself. I just hope that this is just a fad that will die away after a while. Hopefully pretty quick!
I think it’s cool for theaters as a further incentive to not wait for DVD, but honestly I wouldn’t want it at home. Too expensive to set up, and it’s really not worth it. 3D at home during repeated viewings of a film would annoy me more than anything.
As you said, buzzlightyear159, the glasses are also annoying and expensive (for home setups). Although something interesting I’d like to throw in is that the upcoming new Nintendo DS will feature glasses-free 3D by using a thin filmstrip above the regular screen. It’ll be interesting to see how it works.
For movies, it really depends on the individual film. So far, I’ve seen the following films in 3D:
Avatar
How to Train Your Dragon
Coraline
Up
Toy Story and Toy Story 2
The first three all benefited greatly from the 3D, in my opinion. I know that Avatar and HTTYD both had a focus on getting that element right, and I daresay Coraline did too. The Pixar ones, on the other hand, haven’t had any major benefit from being in 3D (fantastic films of course, you just don’t lose anything with losing that one dimension). The Toy Story films obviously weren’t made with the intention of being shown in 3D. I’m not sure about Up, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they just sort of added the 3D in near the end, just because they could.
Basically, I think filmmakers need to make a conscious decision to make it work.
As for TV, I don’t think the whole setup would work with the more casual setup of watching TV. That and everyone would be able to see the silly glasses on your head.
3D is overrated, it means absolutely nothing to the quality of the movie, exactly the same as 2D except it looks better, i’d prefer to see TS3 in 2D. (I voted no), it’s on google map’s street view now for crying out loud!
I posted my 3D rants in the Up forum back when that came out, but I don’t mind ranting again: I wear glasses, and always have trouble keeping the 3D glasses in place over them - plus I still think the 3D glasses make the colors look dim and washed out. That was certainly my experience with Up, where I saw the movie in both 2D and 3D on opening weekend. If they ever get the technology to the point where you don’t have to wear the glasses, it might be OK, but until then, I’m sticking with 2D.
And I have absolutely no interest in 3D TV at home.
I think the fact that so many animated films now are CGI is one reason why the 3D trend has started going on (it actually came back for the first time when Spy Kids 3D came out, and I remember I was interested in it only because it was 3D and not because I was really a fan of Spy Kids). This kind of treatment would certainly have been unnecessary for traditionally animated films, but I have heard that Disney was planning on re-releasing Beauty and the Beast in 3D, and it would probably only work cause of that ballroom dance. I have not even seen any 3D films in theaters yet so I can’t really say how I really feel about this trend. I just know that CGI films are more supportive of it and that it probably shouldn’t be overplayed, but because there’s so much done in CGI nowadays it probably will be. I would like to see what Toy Story 3 is like in 3D when it comes out just so I can experience this for myself, but I guess I don’t make a big deal out of it or think it’s all that important.
If those that make movies didn’t actually pander to the whole 3D thing and just included it as an extra, then I don’t think I’d mind that much.
It’s just when scenes or even the storyline of the movie is changed so as to create good oppurtunities to use the 3D effectively that really irritates me. Luckily Pixar doesn’t do this that often, but a good example would be How To Train Your Dragon. I haven’t even seen it yet, but I bet there are plenty of scenes of the boy riding a dragon, using 3D in the most obvious way.
Plus as others have said, the quality of the picture in 3D is nowhere near as good as it is in 2D. Even with films like Avatar, despite all the money spent, I still prefer it in 2D, especially as I’d seen it in 2D first and hence seeing it in 3D was quite the disappointment. I was left wondering where all the lovely, bright colours had gone.
Lizardgirl - You’re right about HTTYD in that, even seeing it in 2D, I could tell that the big flying scenes were designed to utilize the 3D effects, and there are some obvious “oo, look out!” shots (dragons lunging toward the audience, etc.). I think the story and characters are strong enough, though, that it’s still a good movie without the 3D, and the flying and action scenes serve the plot, so I never felt like they were just coming up with stunts then trying to string a movie around them.
Honestly, I won’t even vote for this poll, because I’m in the minority of those who can’t really perceive 3D properly. There must be different types, because I can see the 3D attractions at Disney World just fine, for example, but the recent slew of 3D films and those old stereograms/Magic Eye things? Nope. I don’t think I’m seeing what everyone else is seeing. What I see, it strains my eyes, it doesn’t “pop” one bit, and the motion is very jolty. There’s nothing stunning about it.
It also doesn’t help that I wear glasses, which are extremely awkward to wear underneath 3D glasses given by theaters. Maybe if I brought a roll of duct tape…
But besides that, the overall dimness takes away from the beauty of many films. I would never dare to watch an animated film with those darn 3D glasses–even if I could see 3D movies the right way!
I think 3D projection technology needs to take a rather large leap forward before it gets really interesting (like some of the stuff mentioned in the HTG podcast episode 12).
There are still too many limitations right now. From the annoying glasses to reduced image quality to a rather large percentage of the audience getting headaches…
I guess I’m the only one who doesn’t really have a beef with 3D. Frankly, I love it when it’s used properly. A lot of the complaints people have at the moment are growing pains the technology mus go through to get to the boffo images they want to see in the future. It’s next to impossible to have leaps in technology without demand, interest and funding and if they would’ve held off on 3D to the extent that most seem to want these 3 things never would’ve came into play. I mean come on people as little as 7 years ago the biggest mainstream movie that featured 3D required
I’ve never had a huge problem with the dimmer look and duller colors. I actually don’t feel the glasses actually ruin things that much and doesn’t make them as dull or dim as people say. I mean come on people as little as 7 years ago the biggest mainstream movie that featured 3D required you to watch the movie in only 2 colors! Huge leap I’d say.
I do think that Hollywood should cool it with its push to make everything 3D though. Most of the movies they’re pushing it for don’t call for it , and in cases such as the recently released Cash of the Titans, actually suffer from having it. Their huge push is going to burn out the public and kill the entire trend before it can really take off.
It is not a fad. It is not a gimmick. If used properly it truly is the future!
Hm, I never thought of duct tape. I have used a glasses strap on my regular glasses to hold them in place, which helps a little, but they need some way for people with glasses to clip on the 3D specs.
One thing about the “dimness” factor: I saw Up in 3D twice (the second time only because I was having “withdrawal symptoms” and my theatre was down to showing it only in 3D on one screen). The second 3D experience was much better than the first, because it was in a smaller auditorium and I had a better seat (in the center, not too far up), and the “color” issue didn’t bother me as much (although 2D was still notably brighter). My 3D trip on opening weekend was in one of the bigger auditoriums, I had to sit off to one side, and a few rows higher in the stadium than I usually do, and I was really aware of the color/dimness issue. The thing is, watching 2D in these same theatres, as long as you’re not sitting Right Down In Front, there’s not a bad seat in the house. In my limited 3D experience, where you sit seems a lot more important.
I’m with aerostarmonk, I fully embrace the leap thats being made.
I would prefer it if cinemas gave you the option to bring your own glasses at a reduced ticket rate, because at the moment its nearly double the ticket price to see a film in 3D and thats what puts me off.
I also agree that hollywood should stop shoving it down peoples throats because that is whats making the public feel this is more of a trend then anything.
As for 3D tv, there are televisions in development where you don’t need glasses to view it in 3D. Its early stages at the moment, but it is a possibility
karly05- It’s good that the storyline and characters of the film are still strong enough even without the idea of having those swooping, flying scenes, but I guess it’s just a bit of an annoyance to me that those scenes are even there (though of course that sort of thing will be included otherwise the 3D isn’t as much fun).
I’ve seen the odd good 3D movie in my time, but 3D movies do also end up neglecting certain genres that just don’t suit the form- dramas and that sort of thing. I’m happy with 3D staying a niche product, but as others have said, I don’t like how much it’s being stuffed down our throats.
St_Jons- At my local cinema, you’re encouraged to buy one pair of 3D glasses and then keep hold of them. Otherwise you have to pair extra every time for a new pair of 3D glasses, so in a way it’s a ‘reduced rate’ if you bring your own (though it’s still very expensive).
at my local cinema you are asked to recycle your glasses, i’m guessing so each time you go you have to pay for the new pair.
I was told that you had to pay the full price even if you brought your own along. Which has stopped me from seeing certain films in 3D
I think 3D should only be used 3 or 4 times a year, to make it more special. In How to Train Your Dragon, [spoil]when Hiccup takes Astrid on Toothless for the first time[/spoil], the 3D was amazing. I saw Avatar in 3D first with my cousin, then in 2D with my friends, it was better in 3D. I knew straight from the start, [spoil]when the two blue things hovered in front of Jake’s face[/spoil]. Toy Story & Toy Story 2, Alice & Clash had pretty unoticable 3D in my opinon, and it would have been as good to seeing them in 2D.
I liked in the trailer for HTTM, that it said ‘The First 2D Event of the Year’.[/spoil]
I dont need to see movies in 3D. I’m still totally content watching them in 2D and really have no desire to own a 3D TV. (I mean, who wants to sit there with those glasses on whenever they watch tv?) I think this 3D thing has gotten a little out of hand. Plus if I watch it for too long it sometimes starts to hurt my eyes and gives me a headache. Not mention I have to wear real glasses anyway. Plus I’m not a fan of having to pay an extra $5 for a 3D movie ticket. 3D’s been around for awhile. I wonder why it only became so popular in the past few years? Improved technology I guess.
Same! I have only seen Avatar in 3D, but I thought it looked incredibly dark and very gloomy. I went into the film expecting bright, beautiful colors, and I think the 3D ruined that. I can’t wait to watch Avatar on Blu-ray. I bet it will be beautiful!
I have used a glasses strap on my regular glasses to hold them in place, which helps a little, but they need some way for people with glasses to clip on the 3D specs.