Open Forum Friday: Has 3-D Proven Itself to Be More Than Just a Fad?

Posted by on February 4th, 2011   Filed under: Open Forum Friday

It’s been a little over a year now since James Cameron’s Avatar descended on multiplexes and basically altered the direction of the entire movie industry. Up until that point, new 3-D technology was something that a lot of people had been toying with, but it hadn’t been proven to be the future of cinema. After Avatar made over a bajillion dollars, however, everyone was convinced. Now that we’ve had another full year of 3-D releases, the question remains: were we all duped by one good movie or is 3-D still slowly but surely coming into its own?

It seems to me that outside of Avatar, we still haven’t had another killer 3-D experience to back it up. Tron: Legacy was a bit of a let down, and Piranha 3D was fun, but hardly a cinematic revolution. We’ve got Roger Ebert continuing to rally against the format with the argument that our brains simply weren’t made to process these kinds of images, and although sometimes he sounds like an old guy who just doesn’t “get” this newfangled technology, there’s definitely a point where you start thinking that maybe all the issues with 3-D simply aren’t worth the effort.

It would appear that the real test will come in December when both Hugo Cabret and The Adventures of Tintin hit theatres. If Scorsese and Spielberg can’t do something mindblowing with 3-D, then we might as well just throw in the towel. What do you think? Are you still excited about the possibilities that 3-D holds? What post-Avatar movies (if any) have impressed you? Is the technology here to stay or is it still too early to judge? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.



  • Anthony

    Piranha 3D was pretty fun to watch in 3D, and it was especially impressive for a movie that was converted post production. And I know this came out before Avatar, but Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3D was great. Toy Story 3 was pretty good as well.

  • Hannes

    The only fun experience I’ve had in a cinema with a 3D movie is The Final Destination(this includes Avatar). The Final Destination was the first 3d movie I went to see in the cinema, and I liked it solely because I had never seen something like that before. When I saw Avatar, I hated the story and the 3d gave me a headache…I haven’t liked a 3d movie since then so in my opinion its just a lousy way for studios to make money

  • bert belgium

    the last thing i went to see in 3D was tron, and even that movie didn’t do anything for me. although jackass and piranha were pretty fun! maybe i’ll go see transformers in 3D but other than that i don’t know if i’m exited to see anything other in 3D

  • rob

    Coraline used it well in many places especially the garden scene and the opening credits but im not sure it makes up for the colour loss

    other than that Jackass is the best use of 3d that i have seen that was phenomenal!

  • Gil

    We were duped.

  • Dave

    So, based on that logic about Roger Ebert, at 25 years old, I too must be an old man, because I don’t “get” the technology either. It is a fad, but for some reason, people nowadays really grasp on to some of the stupidest stuff – Jersey Shore for example. I’ve had my fill of 3-D, and I haven’t even seen that many 3-D movies. Just like what you guys have said about it on the podcast, it’s mainly distracting more than anything.

  • Why did you have to bring Jersey Shore into this?

    My point is that Ebert is being very closed minded about the whole thing. However, even those of us with an open mind aren’t being given much to work with.

  • Werner

    I got so much 3-D in my life that for my escapism I want only 2-D…..

  • Nuno

    I’m pleasantly surprised that there isn’t much love for 3-D on this forum. I also liked Coraline and Piranha in 3-D but nothing else. I’ve been especially disappointed with the Disney (including Tron) and Pixar stuff I’ve seen in 3-D.

  • bert belgium

    wait, jersey shore, in 3D? i think we’ve got something there, count me in!!

  • Carnaby

    Photographs continue to be a popular art form almost 150 years after they first appeared; 3D pictures were a 90’s fad.

    Kids like pop-up for a couple of years then its back to picture books and on to novels.

    The best image on a flat surface seems to be in 2 dimensions, and while I would look forward to being surprised by a brilliant 3D film, I think it is unlikely. If I want great 3D, I’ll go see a play.

  • I really am not impressed by 3D and don’t think it adds much to the experience. I think it’s a gimmick and I’d rather see the normal 2D versions.

    I wrote down my opinions about it down a while ago. For those interested in reading it:
    http://myfilmviews.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/3d-films-the-future-of-movies/

  • I guess Hollywood has just made up its mind that 3-D is the in thing right now. It probably has a lot to do with profits since they can double the price of a ticket at the box office with 3-D tacked onto the title. More movie houses are installing the 3-D systems gearing up for numerous new movies coming out that are using the technology. The profit motive is clearly the reason for the onslaught certainly not art or storytelling. In fact, when I talk to people about these 3-D movies I am hearing a lot of groaning. There is a very large portion of the movie going public that simply don’t like to watch 3-D. It is being shoved down our throats by these producers. Another profit motive is the 3-D enabled TV sets that manufacturers are now started to mass produce and market. Most people I have talked to say they are not interested in purchasing the technology at least not right now. A lot of producers are relying on 3-D to be the main attraction and the rest of the film quality suffers. If you add on the headaches that many people get with these mediocre films, why bother. Even people with good eyesight complain that the films look dark, when is Hollywood going to fix that problem? Heaven forbid that your 3-D glasses get smudged, you spend the rest of the film using your shirt to try to clear the fog, usually to no avail! I’m sticking with 2-D movies with good stories and talented actors thank you very much!