3D in movies, particularly AVATAR and Pixar

[thehefner]

"If a 3-D movie isn't as good in 2-D, how good, objectively, is it?"-- Roger Ebert, via Twitter.

One thing I hated about AVATAR was how obviously it was filmed for 3D to show off the technology at the expense of any actual story of worth. I feel like audiences were blown away by the effects, which might have been enough to wow me too if I hadn't already seen the NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 3D re-release, CORALINE, UP, and BEOWULF (an okay film that was awesome in 3D, but nobody saw that).

As it was, many of the "wow" effects in AVATAR left me not just cold, and kind of a little angry too. Everyone else is marveling at the immersive effects, while to me, it feels no different than watching JAWS 3D or FRIDAY THE 13TH 3D: "Oh look, I have a YO-YO!!!" "Hey, wanna see my new PADDLE BAAAAAALLLLL?!" And those films hold up only slightly worse than BEOWULF did (and AVATAR will) in 2D, because the gimmick was such a major part of those films.

Compare that with UP. Did anyone else see Pixar's UP in both 2D and 3D? I did, and let me tell you, they're just two ways of looking at the same brilliant, beautiful film. Because Pixar has always understood the vast importance of story and character and everything else that makes truly great films underneath all the (stunning) effects and design.

The amazing thing about the 3D in UP was how totally intertwined it felt in the world. Aside from one moment, I can't recall any specific instances of the 3D effect being used in UP, because it was weaved so organically into the storytelling itself. It supported the film--much in the same way a great soundtrack does--rather than dominated it.

I'm still not sure if 3D is a game-changer that will truly be the way to keep movie theaters going or a fad gimmick (y'know, just like the all the other times they've tried 3D in movies). But all filmmakers interested in producing something other than empty spectacle should pay close attention to Pixar's example. Because I cannot wait to see this in 3D when it hits:



Toy Story 3 Trailer 2 in HD

Trailer Park Movies | MySpace Video


BTW, that's Michael Keaton voicing Ken. This makes me insanely happy. Where the hell has he been?

I feel like one of the only people to have been underwhelmed by TOY STORY 2. Time was, people were calling that the best Pixar movie ever. It was all right, but it wasn't up to par with the original. As for best ever, I'm still giving that vote to RATATOUILLE, followed by UP, followed by a clusterfuck three-way tie of WALL*E, FINDING NEMO, and THE INCREDIBLES.

Comments

[emma-elicit.livejournal.com]

The trailer is great! I hope the movie is just as good. Thumbs up for Michael Keaton.

Ratatouille is such a phenomenal movie. I keep asking for it for my birthday and Christmas but no one will help me out! Maybe I can find it on amazon for cheap...

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Avatar, but kept wishing I'd seen the 2D version. The 3D was generally well done, but I kept finding myself looking at it rather than at the film. Which is too bad, because visually the film is spectacular.

I may adapt to letting the cameraman focus for me in 3D. I wonder if early audiences had to do that for 2D. "Hey, why's that bit out of focus?" "Cuz it looks better that way." "Really?"

[rattsu.livejournal.com]

Let's just not forget that there are a lot of people out there who just can't see 3d because their eyes aren't properly synchronized, or they are blind on one eye. Not to mention the annoyance of wearing 3 glasses and glasses on at the same time.

Heh, no, 3d will never be a big hit with me and my friends...

[ortugatay.livejournal.com]

THANK you! I am totally with you on the whole 3-D thing. I considered seeing Avatar in 2-D and everyone looked at me like I was nuts, but I feel like a movie has to be equally good without the bells and whistles. Since no one would join me, I ended up not even bothering.

I liked 3-D when I saw Coraline, because it felt like it just added some more depth and dimension to the scenery and it didn't throw things in my face. Found it inoffensive in Nightmare Before Christmas. Hated it in Beowulf (and, well, hated Beowulf altogether...ugh) because it made me dizzy and didn't add a whole lot to the mediocreness of the rest of the movie.

I actually never saw Up in 3-D, but the movie itself is so heartbreakingly wonderful that I'm okay with that. It's hands-down my favorite Pixar movie now, followed by The Incredibles. Even though it makes me sob like a little girl, it also fills me with such JOY by the end. What a great journey.

[sara-lakali.livejournal.com]

I watched Aliens vs. Monsters in 3D. I want to say it was the same price as 2D or only a dollar more. It was all right. I find IMAX 3D to be a huge ripoff.

Then again, my movie-watching habits were formed by my parents' attitudes. Namely, why should we spend money to watch that in the theater when we can just wait a year and it'll be on TV for free?

[superfan1.livejournal.com]

Can't wait for toy story 3. I never got the excitement of the 3D experience that suppose to enlighten your movie enjoyment. :?

[dormsquirrel.livejournal.com]

I still think the visual spectacle of the Avatar world (I don't feel like looking up the planet's name) was pretty but very obviously computer generated. Whenever the people and the Na'vi (I want that brain space back, Avatar) were together, it looked absolutely ridiculous. There was nothing seamless about it. Without the visual effects, 3D or otherwise, Avatar would be the same thing it is with them: a mediocre summer blockbuster released in winter.

[badmagic.livejournal.com]

I liked Toy Story 2. How often do you see a kids' movie about accepting your mortality?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Not often, but as I said, I liked it. I just didn't love it the way I love most of their other films.