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3. “Subtle” 3D Isn’t Worth the Extra Money
Consumers remain split on what constitutes quality 3D – with many claiming that subtle use of the format isn’t worth the upgraded ticket price. Yet, taste in 3D is subjective – making it extremely difficult to measure “good” versus “bad” 3D. As a result, many viewers have turned to the fallible “Glasses Off” test to self-determine how much of the onscreen projection is distorted at any given moment. Previously, we clarified why this “Glasses Off” test isn’t a good metric for determining 3D quality – since filmmakers often adjust the strength of the 3D effect in every single shot: backing off during intimate drama scenes and ramping up in large-scale action set pieces, for example.
Similarly, some of the more celebrated examples of 3D filmmaking rely on subtle use of the format. Fans of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo claim the effect helped draw them into the film, whereas detractors maintain the director’s use of the effect wasn’t noticeable – and, therefore, not worth the added ticket price. This dichotomy places 3D in an tricky gray area, since filmmakers have to find a balance between making 3D worth the money, without allowing the effect to distract from onscreen tension and emotional drama – or even worse, making it uncomfortable to watch.
Since 3D films have long relied on “pop-out” effects, it’s not surprising (or unfair) that some moviegoers aren’t interested in more subtle implementations of the format. However, that doesn’t mean that subtle use of 3D can’t also be worth the added ticket price: Ang Lee’s Life of Pi rarely used pop-out effects, but managed to deliver a rich visual experience that, for many moviegoers, successfully enhanced the impact of Pi’s adventure at sea.
Like anything in this industry, 3D preference is personal and there’s room for many types of experiences.
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I’m not a 3D hater, and not a 3D fanboy either. I don’t think every movie needs to be in 3D, but some definitely benefit from it. I have two main complaints about 3D. One is that it seems to enhance the strobing/stutter of 24fps so it’s worse than 2D films in that regard (HFR 3D doesn’t have this limitation though – darn you Peter Jackson for spoiling me like that).
The second is that studios force 3D on us, and it can be hard to find 2D versions of a movie because theatres like to be able to charge extra too and will often only show the 3D version. One example was GI Joe Retaliation. It was delayed 8 months or so to be post-converted, so I did not want to support studio greed and refused to see it in 3D (I generally don’t want to support post conversions anyway). However, I had to really try hard to find a theatre that was showing it in 2D, and I live in a big city. I can only imagine what it’s like for people who can’t see 3D or get headaches from it.
It would be nice if there was a way to show 2D and 3D in the same theatre (e.g. glasses=3D, no glasses=2D), so people could have the best of both worlds, and wouldn’t have to complain any more. You could technically do it now by just putting 2 left frames in a set of glasses, but people would still complain about dimmed colours or having to wear them over prescription glasses.