With the successful return of 3-D to theaters, movies such as Avatar present a problem for viewers who want to watch movies at home. | Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
The 3-D movie has returned. What was once a special establishment for cheesy ‘80s horror flicks is now popular thanks to Disney animation films and the likes of Avatar.
RealD provides the glasses responsible for the enhanced viewing experience, which are either kept by the viewers or recycled after the movie.
Going to see movies in 3-D makes for a special once-in-a-lifetime experience — that is, unless you see them multiple times. Once the movie has left theaters, it will no longer be available in 3-D.
When a movie, such as James Cameron’s Golden Globe-winning film Avatar is advertised as being in 3-D, it magnifies the original appeal for the movie and can leave a lasting impression.
It usually makes the movie better and more enjoyable. The opening credits might glide past your head or objects in the movie may fly toward you.
When people talk about seeing a movie available in both 2-D and 3-D, they are always sure to specify which version they saw it in. This shows that seeing the movie in 3-D is a totally different experience from watching the regular movie.
On the other hand, when the movie comes out on DVD, it isn’t as enjoyable. While watching the movie home, depending on how many times you saw it in theaters, it is easy to pick up on the intentional extreme close up shots that were used for the entertaining 3-D parts of the movie.
This can be a buzzkill, because it makes you think of how much better it was in 3-D at the movie theaters. The movie may still be good, but some movies are only enjoyable because of their 3-D effects.
We go to the movies to be entertained and that is exactly what animated 3-D movies will do.
They are a different viewing experience, astonishing for the most part and show just what film can do today, especially with the special effects seen in Avatar.
One downside to the 3-D viewing experience is how it strains the eyes while watching it. This setback is not enough to stop people from watching movies in 3-D.
“To someone, who enjoys the little details, watching a movie like Avatar in 3-D would be euphoric,” accounting sophomore Manjul Agrawal said.
3-D movies have come a long way since the early ‘80s and they have distinguished themselves as the future of the regular viewing experience.
