A couple of days ago, Roger Ebert voiced his less than positive opinion of 3D films, basically saying that just having things pop out at the audience doesn’t really make the audience feel like they’re part of the movie, or even make the film seem realistic at all.
Like Ebert, I don’t have the fondest opinion of 3D pics. What made it cool when movies were released in 3D was the fact that they were something different. There was that little shiver of excitement when something jumped out at you that just isn’t achieved by regular film.
But now? I’m hitting the point of being kind of over 3D. It seems like every other movie made these days–and there are a lot of films being made!–is being released in 3D, or will be at some point. Turning 3D into the standard is, in my opinion, taking away from the fun of seeing a movie in 3D.
Unfortunately, it seems like Mr. Ebert and I are going to have to resign ourselves to the 3D takeover.
Currently, most cinemas don’t possess digital 3D screens. Technicolor is working to promote 3D growth and viewability by creating a 3D-on-film system by using conventional celluloid film prints capable of 3D imaging.
Seven of the film industry’s large production companies, including DreamWorks Animation, Paramount, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. have all expressed their support for the new 3D system, and plan on releasing films in the new format if cinemas also seem interested.
Among the advantages with 3D film is that it’s faster and easier to install than its digital counterpart, which means it would likely cause the 3D film industry to expand beyond what it already has, particularly on a global scale.
Interestingly enough, Technicolor has said the new 3D format would just serve to be a temporary solution until digital 3D has cemented its place in cinemas.
Regardless of whether Technicolor’s 3D-on-film solution catches on to the point that digital 3D gets left behind, or whether it serves its purpose of just being a bridge to digital 3D, it seems clear that 3D isn’t going away any time soon.
