By now, I’m sure most, if not all of you have seen the 3D movies offered in most theaters. I have seen several of these films myself, with mixed emotions. Like most technology, it’s wonderful, when in its proper place, and like most media, producers and putting it in some of the wrong places.
If you haven’t already seen the stunningly amazing movie “Avatar” (with the blue people, NOT the last airbender) and even better, if you were among us lucky ones to see it 3D, then you know why this style is so suddenly popular. When you’ve got huge androids, alien elves, and all manner of out of this world dino-looking things jumping out at you, and there is a really good plot to keep it all moving, 3D is AMAZING.
In fact, me and my boyfriend were so impressed with Avatar in three dimensions, that when “Toy Story 3” came out, we went ahead and paid to see it in 3D. Frankly, I couldn’t tell the difference. Maybe it’s just me, but if you have good animators, the pictures seem to pop anyway, no additional technology required.
Fast forward a little, and “Tangled” is now in theaters. I took my boyfriend to see it (yes, the two of us like animated movies. If you don’t like it, go dunk your head and reconnect with your inner child). Considering our disappointing experience with “Toy Story” I didn’t feel the need to spring the extra cash to see 3D. So, we saw the standard 2D version. We loved it. A couple days later, a friend of mine offered to pay for my ticket, if I’d go see a movie with her (no one likes being in a theater alone). Me; liking free things, went along. I got to see “Tangled” again, this time in 3D (it’s her movie night, she gets to watch what she wants). I admit, it was a little better, in places. The part with the lanterns was amazing; I really felt pulled into it. But, the majority of it, just seemed off. My eyes felt strained by the end. It wasn’t so much magical as it was causing me a headache.
So, what it comes down to… 3D in most live action movies, especially if its got a lot of special effects, is great. But why are we wasting this on animated flicks? Are we somehow trying to make up for what our artists lack? Animated movies are kind of SUPPOSED to be two dimensional. That’s why we like them, especially the old fashioned Disney stuff. It’s all story-bookish and that style has been selling ever since Snow White. Why are we changing a good thing?
Aliens kicking tail in three dimensions? YES! Damsels in distress in three dimensions? Not so much.
Side note: I’ve already seen tons of advertisements for “Yogi Bear” in 3D. Seriously? Face/Palm.
