The Lion King 3D. The Three Musketeers. Immortals. These are just some of the movies that have been released during the current rush of 3D movies.
And this isn’t the first time 3D movies have seen a surge in popularity.
“In the ‘50s, 3D movies were a rise against television, which was starting to eat into the studios’ potential market,” says Donovan Aikman, festival programmer at the Victoria Film Festival. “In the ’80s it was home video, because people could watch their videos at home. We’re seeing 3D movies again because now movies are having to compete with the internet.”
3D movies offer something that just can’t be pirated: that third dimension.
“I like 3D because I like to see things pop out and it’s more exciting,” says Angela Lee, a Camosun environmental technology student.
Aikman agrees that 3D movies have some advantages over their 2D counterparts.
“3D is basically the icing on the cake for watching movies on a 20-to-30-foot screen,” he says. “It’s having those elements jump out at you and having that feeling of being more immersive.”
But despite their flashy effects, some Camosun students are still skeptical of 3D movies.
“I’ve never seen a 3D movie,” says Tom Arsenault, a criminal justice student. “I just think 2D is more original.”
Sydney Richdale, an associate of arts student, has issues with the increased cost associated with 3D movies.
“Movies are already expensive enough to go see,” says Richdale. “I’d rather just watch it in 2D; 3D doesn’t really make much of a difference.”
And the additional cost of 3D movies doesn’t go to the box office or to the theatre companies, like Cineplex, according to Aikman. It goes to the studios.
“The extra charge is actually strictly licensing fees,” he says, adding that the technology is owned by studios like Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony.
Most film buffs agree that the quality of the story, the development of the characters, and the acting all have to be great for a 3D movie to be truly successful.
“Basically it boils down to the movies,” says Aikman. “Are they good movies to begin with?”