3D movies overkilled

In 2009, James Cameron produced Avatar which became the highest grossing movie of all time. Although it’s the only movie to ever gross over two billion dollars, moviegoers are going to remember it for its unbelievable special-effects. More than a decade after Cameron had written the script, Avatar finally became a reality and one of the best science-fiction films ever made. Cameron shot the movie with 3D cameras to give audiences the best visual effects to ever appear on the big screen. Unfortunately it also took the 3D movie experience with it. Recent films that have been shot such as Jackass and Saw also felt it necessary to shoot theirs for 3D experience. Many films that have been advertised today have been made for 3D viewing. It’s a trend that seems to be coming with many movies and it’s turning into overkill. Avatar set the standard for 3D films and not one that has been made since has come close to the effects that Cameron gave us only one year ago. Movies that are shot in 3D are supposed to make audiences feel that they are more part of the film than just watching it. “If it’s done properly you can really feel like you’re in the action,” said junior Joe Hutchinson. Certain films should try to be shot in 3D when the special effects call for lots of computer generated pictures. “If it’s something that can be very interactive I feel like it might be better in 3D then,” said Hutchinson. Most of those films take place in a different kind of world or atmosphere away from earth. Avatar took audiences to Pandora, an earth-like moon, inhabited by the Na’vi. With the storyline set in Pandora, viewing the tribe and creatures around them in 3D made Avatar a one-time phenomenon. Films like “Jackass” and “Saw” do not give audiences a worthwhile experience where one would leave the theater talking about the effects. “I haven’t seen the new ‘Saw’ that was in 3D, but ‘Saw’ might have been a little more crazy with it in your face,” said Hutchinson. “It also could be a lot more cheezy with it in your face all the time.” There are alternatives to 3D shooting. Studios possess high definition cameras that are common in present shooting. The cameras allow filmmakers to shoot digitally to create a high quality picture to be shown on the screen. With the advancement, IMAX films have become another alternative to three-dimensional shooting, although IMAX is still enjoyed by all movie fans because there are a limited number that appear on the giant screen. “If you did every movie in IMAX then it wouldn’t be worthwhile anymore either,” said junior Spencer Miller. With the Disney movie “Tron: Legacy” due out in 3D this December, the question remains to be answered if any movie can even come close to the special effects that Avatar had. “Tron: Legacy” appears to take audiences into a different world and previews have shown that it may be worthy of 3D viewing. Only after it has been viewed will it be determined if Avatar was a once in a lifetime event, or if 3D films may have a chance at resurrection.