Anyone who has gone to the movies in the past year knows about the current craze sweeping cinemas across the world ? 3-D animation. From Up to Avatar, moviegoers have the option of spending extra money on 3-D versions that have action shots appear right in front of their faces. For movies such as The Final Destination, which have no substance whatsoever, this isn?t such a problem. But for movies that should rely on cinematic techniques and subtlety, 3-D is a gimmick that does nothing to improve them.
I can understand kids? movies that want to involve and enrapture the children. Children likely wouldn?t understand the tricky camera-work that win cinematic awards, the small details that make each story so meaningful. But quality movies aren?t just about having arrows flying at your face in 3-D. Movies should be more subtle than that. Directors put thought into every frame in the movie, thinking about light, focus, background motion and a multitude of other factors that make a single scene full of meaning. With 3-D animation, however, all subtlety is lost. It?s a voyeuristic concept that only appeals to the most easily-entertained audience, rather than forcing us to think about the cinematic techniques as they relate to the plot and characters.
Besides, even on the off chance if the movie is made more enjoyable by the 3-D experience (however unlikely), the translation from the big screen to your TV at home just doesn?t work. They?re producing making 3-D Blu-Ray video players… Why? Having deadly shards of ice coming at your eyes at 500 mph may be frightening when they are a larger-than-life projection, but repeating the experience with them at a fraction of the size crosses the line into sheer ridiculousness. But these movies are made for 3-D, and watching them at home without it would retract from the director?s intention.
On top of that, the pricing of 3-D movies is ridiculous. When a movie theater already charges $11 for a single ticket, an additional $3 for 3-D animation makes the price obscene. It seems as though directors are starting to add 3-D into movies simply because they want extra money, not because it adds to the experience in any way.
Think about the best movies you?ve seen. Not the most vapidly entertaining chick flick or straight 90 minutes of mindless action, but the most nuanced, thrilling, layered movie in your experience as a viewer. For me, it?s The Godfather, as clich? as that is. Can you imagine Don Corleone projecting his infamous “I?m going to make him an offer he won?t refuse” speech in 3-D? More importantly, do you even want to?