On the tide of Avatar
April 12th 2010 06:55
2010 looks like to be the year of 3D... conversion. After Avatar showed that a 3D motion picture can become a huge blockbuster (top grossing movie of all time), something happened that was, well, predictable. Studios jumped on the bandwagon, to churn out as many 3D movies as possible.
Unfortunately they seem to prefer the easy way, or the less expensive way, to be precise: 3D conversion, instead of native 3D. What this means is that a movie is converted to stereoscopic 3D in post production, and what the problem is: many of these conversion "victims" were not intended to BE in 3D. As a proper and fluid 3D experience needs planning (longer takes, different editing, less "Greengrassy" camera movement, plus planning for the stereospace, so that it won't cross your eyes too wildly), these adhoc conversions can become rather irritating to watch, so would one think. But think again.
Two large titles: Alice in Wonderland, and Clash of the Titans. The first was intended to be in 3D, but was still shot in 2D by Tim Burton. The second wasn't even considered to be in 3D, just after Avatar's success. The result is a mess, as perhaps 80 percent of the critics expressed. While Titans, has it's own standalone 2D faults, the 3D adds a whole another level of bismal. With Alice, it's evident that Burton left the 3D-thingy to the post production team, resulting in a awfully ghosting, and often blurry IMAX experience. You know, the best way to see it in 3D. Not this time.
So is the tide of Avatar an Epic wave or just a ripple? Well somewhat surprisingly it seems to be building up. The audience loves both movies, and pays the cash. Does this mean that they're blind to the difference between Avatar's 3D and Titans' for example? It's too early to tell. 3D is on the rise again, and perhaps more popular than ever. Maybe the larger audience needs to develop a kind of finesse to appreciate quality 3D.
Let's just hope that low quality 3D conversion won't pollute the scenery with Snappers, unless studios want an unsatisfied crowd leaving the beach before the real Epics arrive.
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