The Trouble with 3D (a rant)

Why 3D sucks

 Since 3D took off with the launch of Avatar I have seen many films in 3D. At first I was rather excited about the prospect but gradually over time it’s gotten to the point where I feel like I’m being forced to see films in 3D by Odeon. Seems like most films these days are filmed in 3D - or more frequently are 3D conversions of older films - and 2D showings of the big blockbusters are hard to come by. 

 For instance I went to go and see Tintin a few days ago and there were no 2D showings at a convenient time for me. So I paid the extra £2 for the tickets, and a little more for the 3D glasses (which admittedly is my own fault as I never remember to bring one from the huge pile I have at home), so eager was I to see the film. While I loved the film (read my glowing review below) I was totally unimpressed with the 3D effects. Nothing caught my eye as being improved by the 3D, and despite the industry claims that it helps you to become more immersed in the movie; I actually found the fact that I had large glasses barely staying on my head throughout to be a massive distraction. Not to mention the fact that the film was far darker than intended which spoiled a lot of the visuals (which according to Michael Bay might just be the result of shit projecting). In a film about globe trotting adventures you don’t expect to be barely able to make out the most impressive shots. I found myself doing the classic ‘what does it look like without the glasses?’ thing as my eyes felt sore and actually left it with the glasses off for a few minutes. I barely noticed the change and only put them back on them when an action scene occurred and it got a little fuzzy.

 Another thing I hate about 3D is that I’m one of the people for whom it can cause a massive headache. Approximately 10% of the British population suffer from this, an effect caused by the brain being unable to process the 3D images displayed. I tried out a 3D TV in John Lewis the other day for about 3 minutes and my head felt so sore that a half hour later I took a painkiller. The results of wearing them for 2 hours can cause me a lot of pain at times, depending on the severity of the 3D. So even when the 3D is good I still suffer for it. This is why I wish cinemas would give me the option of going to see films in 2D by putting on more screenings, no 3D = less pain = a superior viewing experience. Maybe I should show the film studios my math, not that they won’t ignore it and just sight the ‘benefits’ - most of which help them. 

 As I mentioned before 3D costs more (accidental rhyme, its staying), essentially the price of another ticket if you have to get the glasses too, and obviously Hollywood loves money. Additionally 3D films can’t be easily recorded or downloaded (yet, give it time) so studios see it as a anti-piracy measure - more money for them in other words. With Hollywood supposedly struggling in recent years this is all well in good, but figures suggest that every year since Avatar revenue has gone down. This is especially bad considering that 3D film prices have gone up and there making less money off it. So clearly 3D is failing to get an audience. Maybe like me people have just become pissed off with. Perhaps its time for 3D to go away again and not come back for another 50 years or so, hopefully longer so I’m dead and don’t have to put up with it!