this post was submitted on 03 Nov 2023
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I'm rewatching Final Destination.

And it dawned on me that all of the shots were choreographed for 3D animation.

I remember disliking 3D movies whenever we had those red and blue lens glasses.

And whenever the movie industry switched over to the new clear 3D glasses. I still didn't see the point in 3D movies. I watch them and then threw away the glasses at the end of the movie. The experience sucked, just like always.

So I'm curious.

Did anybody actually want 3D movies? Or was this something that the movie industry was just trying to shove down our throats?

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[–] [email protected] 43 points 1 year ago (4 children)

If a movie was shot in 3d and the CGI was designed in 3d and the movie was produced for 3d I've generally enjoyed them (Avatar, Gemini Man, Alita Battle Angel). If however the 3d is produced by an off shore sweat shot rotoscoping a 2d shot then layering everything over a parallax background that's an immediate pass.

I'd love if there was a 3d movie distribution app/platform for VR headsets though. I had to buy the 3d Blu-ray release of a movie, a PC Blu-ray drive, Blu-ray ripping software, then render that to a stereoscopic player and set a VR app to copy my desktop in stereoscopic mode just to watch it. That cost like $100 for a movie, and it seems more people have a quest or some shit then ever had a 3d TV.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh man, Alita had some amazing sequences, so damned good in 3d. I'm still crushed we'll never see the rest in theatres.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Good news! There will be a sequel! We (the fans) did a lot of stuff to I guess convince "them" to go ahead and make the two sequels. I wrote a blog about it - there is also a link way down to SCREENGEEK that talks about the sequels

https://nx2.site/alitaarmy

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I enjoy them, but only when they are well made and use the 3d to add proper depths to shots. Too many 3d movies tried to rely on cheap "object comes out of screen" tricks that get old very fast.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Best one i ever saw was the Animated A Christmas Carol... With Jim Carey as Scrooge. They did some amazing 3d depth shots in that one.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

No for two reasons.

  1. I already wear glasses, these are just uncomfortable.

  2. My brain stops noticing the 3D effect after a few moments. I think it’s cool when concentrating on it, but it’s not worth the extra cost and equipment.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (7 children)

Yeah ive always loved 3D effects, and never understand what folks have against it.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

It's not that I hate 3d effects, but I'll avoid them if I can, for a variety of reasons.

As other people have said - I wear glasses, I having to put the glasses over my own glasses just makes it difficult. They don't stay on and I have to hold them, it makes the image askew, it's uncomfortable on my nose and ears when it does "fit". They really should come up with a more inclusive way to watch these as a good portion of the population wears glasses.

For another, I suffer from migraines and 3d effects not done well tend to trigger them, and I already have enough triggers that I can't avoid.

A strange one needs a little bit of backstory - I was never great a sports as a kid, could never quite catch a pop-up or hit a fast ball, but I was great at throwing or other aspects. People wrote it off as just "unathletic" and I went on to live my life as a weird nerdy kid despite the rest of my family being athletic. Fast forward to my adult life when I was put on a very strong medication and needed a very thorough eye exam and a result to set a baseline to make sure the medication doesn't end up damaging my retinas (thorough to the point that the exam was 5 hours and I had tests done I'd never seen it heard of before).
It turns out my eyes/brain only interpret half the depth perception of the average person. So what I'm seeing during a 3d movie is not what's meant to be seen. And since this is not an eye exam that would be regularly given - who knows if it people that are complaining about the movies have the same issue I do? Cartoon-y 3d (like Disney world/theme Park things) is fine for me, but things like Avatar just give me migraines.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I wear glasses, so 3D glasses on top of my regular glasses are annoying. Some 3D movies make me motion sick, too (not always, but sometimes). But i do it anyway because friends/family are worth a bit of discomfort . I don't feel super strongly about it or anything, but that's what I have against it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's definitely the tech getting in the way of the experience. There's comments to be made about the gimmicky nature of content made for 3d but if it really took off you'd eventually see stand out art and ultimately it would become so standard and expected that even for a film not taking particular advantage it'd probably be there, literally, adding another dimension to the experience of the film. The problem is, in all it's history we just haven't figured out a way that isn't clunky and irritating on the viewing side. A pair of plastic glasses may seem a pretty minor inconvenience but people balk at that type of thing and only have the desire and patience for it during brief spikes where it re-emerges as a fad.

It also, from memory suffers from making the films seem darker, the glasses are prone to being lost, or scratched. To make them comfortable you'd really have to make them as good as actual glasses, which are expensive. It's also problematic from a theatrical perspective because a session has to be 3d only, you can't have people in the same session watching it without glasses, the screening is unwatchable without them so you have to tie up 2 screens with a 3d and 2d version. I think I recall hearing about advances the last time this fad was big, where they finally didn't need glasses, but it resulted in narrow viewing angle requirements.

If you're picking up a theme here, it's that all the complaints are about the practicalities of the tech, not necessarily the entertainment value of 3d itself. The trouble comes when that entertainment, while fun, isn't worth it.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago

I definitely don't. They give me a headache.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Nope. I fidget a lot. Turn my head sideways and it all goes blurry. Usually it costs more money. I don't want the discomfort of wearing scratched up glasses. I think I can go on and on. It's just not a value-add to me.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Dredd in 3D was mesmerizing

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's flopped and dead to me. I think it was definitely something to raise ticket prices.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When done right, yes. But i will say whenever i see a 3d movie i also see it in 2d either before or after.

Once i saw avatar and saw that this 3d wasn't just "popping out" 3d like the red/blue kind and instead more like using the screen like a window into the world of the movie I thought it was brilliant. Still didn't stop some films using it as a gimmick though.

I still kinda wish 3d took off more past the gimmicky phase. I was too young to get a 3d tv at the time and I wish I could experience some of those movies again in 3d. But even if I had a 3d tv now they haven't released 3d versions of movies outside of the cinemas in like 10 years. I would still like to get one to experiment with 3d gaming though. But will probably result in me being disappointed because it's potential was never fully realised, like 2 screen async gaming on the wii u.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you haven't found the 3D movies, you're probably not looking in the right place.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

Avatar 2 was ridiculous in 3D. One of the most visually impressive things I've ever seen. Sure, the movie was garbage but damned if it wasn't absurdly pretty garbage. Watching rain scenes through droplets, seeing my whole row reflexively flinch when we got "splashed" just, goodness gracious.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I love it! I searched long and hard to get a nice 4K 3D TV from 2015 a couple years ago and I have no regrets. I love watching movies on Blu-ray 3D. But yes, I recognize that I am very in the minority here. 🀣

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I watched Tron : Legacy on release at the local IMAX in 3D. It was epic. Not seen anything else in 3D though.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Tron: Legacy was my first 3D movie. At the beginning of the movie I was like "huh, this 3D thing is absolutely not worth it" then, the guy goes into the grid and everything turns 3D and I thought about the people that watched The Wizard of Oz in cinemas for the first time, and how cool it must have felt to see a movie turn into color. That's how I felt.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Personally love 3d movies. Obv many are built around the 3d and that can feel gimmicky, but many like the marvel ones just add an extra element of depth which is nice.

Used vr headsets for 3d, and have had a series of protectors that do 3d for it. Thought it was dying out, but newer 4k projectors keep adding the feature.

But I agree the general public opinion is it's not worth it, so the studios will follow the money. If people vote with their wallets I'll just have to accept the limited library I have so far.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I also feel like I need to add that many people either don't see 3d (and don't realize it, my father and daughter included), or have poor depth perception making the effect headache inducing. This accounts for a reasonable amount of the public, making the effect either worthless or not worth the strain.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I avoid them at all costs, even the 3D rides at Disney World. I don't even put the glasses on and just let my family enjoy the ride.

They give me the worst headache!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I think it's amazing when done right.

But

Almost every time I've been to a 3d showing they have the screen adjusted wrong or in the wrong aspect ratio and it messes everything up.

I have a buddy with a home theater and a 3d projector with synchronized LCD glasses and 3d blu rays in that context are great.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I love 3D movies.

That said, I refuse to go to a movie theater now days.

I'd rather just buy the movie on Streaming and watch any time I want, as many times as I want.

But I don't have 3D at home, or a home theater type setup, so, it is just something I go without. Would of course love a home theater with 3D capability, but that ain't happening, so, life goes on.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I think certain movies are 3D worthy. Like I would I loved to watch Interstellar or Gravity in 3D. When full immersion is something that adds value.

I find that most movies aren't worthy of it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I love it, bought all the 3d movie I could. It just offers much more immersion for me. I still have my 3d tv and projector, but they stopped making the movies. Sad day.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Like many here I enjoy them if they are well made. Dr Strange Movies in 3D were awesome

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

They were a fun novelty when it was only theme parks doing it, because the theatre experience was tailored to that one movie and they could bring practical effects into the show.

In a standard movie theater there wasn't much point and I watched potc 4 without the glasses because it genuinely looked better than with the glasses on.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I don't enjoy migraines, so I avoid 3D anything.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I watched the original Avatar on 2D on cinemas when it was released.

A few days later I went to a 3D screening. The only time the 3D really called my attention was when the "wheelchair guy" was on an empty room with the "bad military guy".

3D is a little enhancement/gimmick, but not a must. I avoided 3D movies from that day on, it's not worth the money.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

The most impressive thing I remember from when I watched Avatar in 3d, was the trailer for Toy Story before the movie.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I find the effect for real life movies isn't great but in animated films they seem to have more control of how it's layered. I've enjoyed it a couple times and hated it a few times, but it really is a gimmick for now.

Decent passive 3D tech (no glasses) or actual advances in holographic tech might change that but not much else will take over 2D being mainstream.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

3D films is always a fad that comes in waves. Given it’s price to set up at home, it will be a premium that only movie theaters will offerβ€”and such a gimmick is what those movie corporations spring on us to try to redrum up folks’ interest in paying to go to the theater (especially when a new technology for 3D is released).

The last one I went to on purpose was the first Dr. Strange movie since it was pretty obvious all of these effects would be well-suited for 3D which personally I think heightened the entertainment of that film. Many other cases were more forgetable, induced a headache, & were not worth the premium ticket.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I enjoy the novelty of it for first half an hour but then immediately forget about it. I feel like it was just an extra money maker a trend of the time.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I always try go see the 2d version, but occasionally I’ll watch a movie in 3d like avatar.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I love 3d movies and I'm angry that I can't buy 3d blurays of movies that were shot in 3d!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I like it if it's done well. But 3D TVs didn't take off so it's a mixed bag if you're watching them at home. I also liked the high(er) framerate Hobbit movies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

No. My eyes, or mind, doesn't quite accept it and yes, the filming for 3d sort of fucks up the 2d experience. I don't think film is the right medium for 3d. Our 3d experience of the world is a smaller view but movies show a wider perspective (visually). It's just annoying.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I enjoyed 3D movies and wish it became a thing. I still break out the 3D glasses for my TV every once in a while

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Sure. If they’re made to be 3D, the writing, direction, and camera work are all done to integrate and make 3D part of the story.

If they just make Fast And Furious 15 in 3D because hey, 3D marketing gimmick…hell no.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I never cared for them. The technology and techniques have improved vastly over the years but given the choice I'm fine with the flat experience. Oddly enough I only play VR games anymore.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I am not a huge fan of the theater experience but you can watch 3d movies in Skybox on the Meta Quest 2, etc. Which I think is kinda good, if you have a good way of obtaining them πŸ˜…

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I saw a couple of the classic 50s 3d flicks in the theatre when I was a teenager in the 80s.

It was fun.

Didn't make me want to see any more.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Wasn't 3d technology pretty much abandoned around 2017. It never really took off.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I remember being wowed by Beowulf (which I think was the first high profile 3D movie in the most recent wave), and I also enjoyed Avatar in 3D. Other than those two movies I found that 3D ~~detected~~ detracted from the overall experience and I quickly stopped attending 3D showings.

edit: realized I made a typo three days later...embarrassing

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I saw Kiss Me Kate in 3D with the old glasses back in 1980 or so. Had a 3D Three Stooges short before the movie that was also pretty great.

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