By Cameron Hawkins
3D Movies. I don’t get it.
It has been years since I paid out of my own pocket to go see a 3D movie. Maybe it’s just due to my own personal experience with them, but I honestly do not know why they still exist and I want them to go away.
Years ago, the vast majority of films that came out in 3D were shot with stereoscopic cameras that are meant for capturing a 3D image. Nowadays most 3D films are shot with normal movie cameras and then converted for 3D viewing. Sometimes it can look good. Sometimes it can be bad.
To my memory the last film I saw in 3D was “Clash of the Titans” when it released in 2010. When I saw it in 3D it was my second time seeing the film, after a first time in normal 2D. I noticed that there was hardly, if any, difference in the experience except for having to wear the cheap plastic 3D glasses. That was the moment when I decided to never personally pay to see a 3D movie ever again.
I cannot be alone in this mindset.
Not only that, but watching films in 3D is distracting. Half the time when I would have to move my head around to find the perfect spot so that the 3D was actually visible. I don’t want to be distracted while watching a film. I never have that problem watching 2D.
Also, your eyes hurt every time you’re done watching. I do not think that is worth it either.
It’s not just the 3D movies in general that make me tilt my head, but also the quality of the product. When you go into the theater, you don’t know if the 3D is going to be worth it. If there is hardly any difference between the 3D and 2D versions then you wasted extra money for your ticket and could have just seen the movie in 2D. Every time you see a 3D movie you risk not knowing what you are getting while in 2D you will always know what to expect.
Now, I know there are other factors that go into seeing a 3D movie, whether it be demand from kids or, hey, you might just enjoy seeing movies in the format. Everyone has their own experiences and mine might just be different from others’. I have not seen a movie in 3D since I was 16, almost seven years ago, and it may be completely different from what is was back then. Regardless, I do not want to be distracted with the glasses angles during my movie experience.
3D movies had their time in the spotlight, but I think it is time for them to stop.
Cameron Hawkins is a Journalism student at the University of Nevada, Reno. He hopes to have a career in Film Journalism writing about news and reviews in the industry. He is also a saxophonist who has played for 12 years and is a member of the University of Nevada Marching Band as well as the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. In his free time Cameron likes to watch movies, play video games, and read comic books.
[clickToTweet tweet=”OPINION: Modern 3D Films Aren’t Worth the Effort” quote=”OPINION: Modern 3D Films Aren’t Worth the Effort”]
