If you haven’t figured it out by now then please get up to speed. 3D in films, on television, and in games is a novelty and a gimmick. Nothing more, nothing less.
3D films are anything but a new phenomenon. It didn’t really take off the first time, and although the technology has improved beyond recognition, and the experience of viewing content in 3D has as well, it’s still far from an essential. In fact, I’d venture as far as saying it’s something few people desire, let alone require.
Avatar was great in 3D. Those elements helped the film immensely, because in 2D the storyline really wasn’t compelling enough to hold anyone’s interest for the running time. But Avatar was a one-off. Since then Hollywood has caught the 3D bug, delivering movies in 3D whether it’s justified or not. And due to the high cost of filming in 3D most movies have it added in post-production. The results are often shockingly bad (Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans).
Moviegoers are now revolting against this 3D indoctrination. There is almost always a 2D option for a film, and many people are choosing that over the 3D alternative. I myself did so recently with Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The novelty has died off and I’d rather see a film in the traditional way rather than having a tacked-on 3D element disseminating my enjoyment of it. And I’m not alone.
Variety reports that the shares of Disney, DreamWorks Animation, and RealD have all dropped thanks to disappointing 3D returns on Kung Fu Panda 2. The flick itself has done OK but only 46 percent of its opening gross came from 3D ticket sales. Meaning many are opting to watch the 2D version instead. This is a drop of around 10 percent from the average until now.
It isn’t just movies either. Sales of 3D television sets aren’t all that impressive despite manufacturers insisting they’re the future. And outside of Japan the new Nintendo 3DS has failed to tempt many gamers, with some actually complaining that the 3D element is an unnecessary distraction.
Sure, some people with too much money and too little sense have bought into the 3D dream in a big way, buying all the kit necessary to watch and play 3D content in their homes. I’m sure they also always opt for the 3D option when going to the movies. But they’re a small minority, and are never like to grow into anything approaching a majority.
