I loathe 3-D. I absolutely cannot stand it. I’ve yet to see a narrative film that has benefited from a 3-D presentation in anyway, whether standard screen, Imax, natively-shot 3-D, or converted. Not only is the 20% light loss an irritant, but rapid moving editing renders sequences utterly incomprehensible to me as my eyes struggle to re-focus on the ever changing focal-plains. Plus, the studios and cinemas have the gall to charge us a whopping surcharge for the “pleasure”.
The good thing is that I’ve noticed my local cineplex is dedicating more screen-showing times to 2-D presentations, over the 3-D versions. Whilst I don’t think 3-D will go away (the studios and cinemas have invested too many millions into the format), I’m glad it’s starting to be marginalised.
However, there’s a new “innovation” on the way: higher-frame rates. Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit will be the first major studio film to be shot in digital and at 48fps. Expect a super-surcharge for seeing that: 3-D plus higher frame-rate = too damn expensive!
Roger Ebert’s article is knowledgeable and enlightening and I share his sentiments exactly. Enjoy
I had no idea that 3-D caused a 20% light loss. That truly is a shame, especially for a movie like The Hobbit, which should be bright and fantastical – full of extreme color depths and shifts to reflect the numerous environments the story passes through.
Yeah, totally agree. It’s those damned polarised glasses! I rarely see 3-D showings if I can help it, but those that I have nearly always contain dark sequences (say, set at night) which are almost ruined by light loss. Toy Story 3 is an example – such a bright, vivid colourful film, yet muted by glasses. I agree about the Hobbit – I’ll try to see that in 2-D (and have you heard that its been announced that the Hobbit is now going to be a trilogy?!)
Really? A trilogy!? I love Tolkien and would be happy to see more of his works adapted to film, but I can’t believe that. They managed to do a very good job covering ALL of the LOTR in a trilogy; this is just money gouging…
Yeah, I think its been officially announced now, but it’s going to be a Trilogy. Apparently, Peter Jackson will be drawing from the appendices and will require a few more months to shoot. It makes sense, with the wealth of material there is…
I can’t stand 3-D either. My standpoint is that if I wanted to see something in 3-D, I’d walk outside and interact with my surroundings…
Haha! Couldn’t have put it better myself!!!!