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In the past decade, 3-D technology has made an unexpected comeback, a resurgence that no one could have foreseen during its last wave in the '80s. Much like its first boom in the '50s, it was initially treated as a gimmick, with films using it mainly to create the illusion of objects flying straight at the audience.
For better or worse, the technology keeps advancing and it looks like it’s here for the long haul. However, its return has led to a series of surprising and unpredicted consequences—no pun intended.
10. The Rise of a New Tech Sector
One of the key differences between the 3-D resurgence of the '80s and today’s wave is the advancement of technology. Specifically, 3-D rendering software and digital image capture methods have progressed by leaps and bounds compared to three decades ago.
In the past, there were only a few methods to create the illusion of objects flying off the screen; today, multiple companies have emerged, each offering competing technologies, all striving to outdo one another in terms of realism, comfort, and depth. And they’re not slowing down.
While Real D currently leads the pack, newcomers like 3ality and Pace (makers of the Fusion cameras used for Avatar) are working to bring new levels of realism to our screens, offering not only flying objects but also breathtaking landscapes and intricate details. We'll give the flying stuff a break—it’s hard to deny how amazing the technology has become. And that’s why, for the first time…
9. It Established a New Pricing Tier for Movies
Before the '90s, no one ever paid premium prices for a 3-D movie. While many are quick to grumble about the costs, this trend is unlikely to change as long as people keep paying for it. Some films appear to be in 3-D merely for the sake of it, charging inflated prices while offering a barely noticeable 3-D effect. But before you imagine theater owners rolling in your cash, you should know that they are often the most exploited by Hollywood, with their profit margins being razor-thin. While filmmakers must license the new 3-D technologies, it also means that...
8. Movie Theaters Have Had to Invest Heavily in Upgrades
Just like the introduction of Dolby sound and Smell-O-Rama (mostly Dolby), exciting new movie display technologies have forced theaters to upgrade their systems, and the studios aren’t footing the bill. Converting each screen costs approximately $70,000.
And no, 3-D films can’t be shown on just any old screen. In the past, theaters only needed a limited number of 3-D-capable screens since only one 3-D film would be released at a time. But with the surge in popularity, theater chains and independent cinemas have been forced to invest millions in upgrades, or risk losing out on the huge crowds willing to pay the premium ticket prices.
7. Screenplays Are Being Developed and Pitched in New Ways
Because the premium ticket price is the same regardless of film quality, many inexperienced screenwriters realize they stand a better chance of getting their scripts made if they pitch them specifically as 3-D projects. Take, for instance, the remake of the 1978 B-movie *Piranha*—it likely seemed less dubious to producers when pitched as *Piranha 3D*; similarly, the film probably wouldn't have grossed $83 million had it been in 2-D.
This trend also applies to bigger filmmakers. Directors like Martin Scorsese (*Hugo*) have managed to get films made that may have struggled to generate interest without the 3-D element. But don’t take the *Piranha* example as evidence that any old 3-D film will succeed; its sequel, which should’ve gone straight to video, had a disastrous three-week theatrical run. It turns out the movie still needs to be *pretty good*.
6. It's Impacting Our Vision in Unheard-of Ways
3-D has always put a strain on our eyes, and even with advances in technology, it may be causing new and unique issues by making our eyes constantly adjust in unnatural ways. As noted by renowned film editor Walter Murch, 3-D forces our eyes to focus on one point while converging at another, creating a continuously shifting set of focal points.
The reason this is particularly taxing on our eyes is evolutionary. Nothing in nature has ever required our eyes to perform this kind of trick. Ironically, this situation is a double-edged sword, because as it turns out...
53. -D Can Be Useful for Diagnosing Vision Problems
Severe cases of the aforementioned issues could indicate a lack of binocular vision—the ability to combine two images into one. This might suggest conditions like a lazy eye or difficulty with eye convergence, both of which can be corrected by an optometrist.
To summarize the previous points: nothing strains your eyes quite like 3-D, but the extent of the strain can help your eye doctor determine what’s wrong and how to fix it. Once your eyes are healthy again, you can return to watching more 3-D films, damaging your eyes once more, and so the cycle continues indefinitely.
4. It’s Advancing Film Technology Across the Board
The cameras used by James Cameron to film *Ghosts of the Abyss* were created specifically for that project and further modified for *Avatar*. While this made *Avatar* extremely costly to produce, it also became the highest-grossing film ever, with all that money visible on the screen, and the result was truly breathtaking.
Filmmakers are now experimenting with higher frame rates and other innovations to further enhance the 3-D experience. Some of these efforts have led to questionable outcomes (yes, we’re looking at you, *The Hobbit*), but that won’t stop the experimentation. It’s only a matter of time before the next wave of technology emerges, likely blowing our minds—and maybe our faces and noses—too.
3. Almost Every Movie Is Now in 3-D
This isn’t the first time 3-D has taken over the film industry. It’s happened twice before—3-D made its Hollywood debut in the ’50s, faded in the ’60s, then made a comeback in the ’80s with the introduction of polarized lenses (clear lenses) replacing the older anaglyph (red and blue). In both earlier waves, 3-D was mostly regarded as a gimmick. However, with each cycle, the technology improved, and now it’s become a staple in mainstream blockbusters, appearing in nearly every major film.
In fact, it’s becoming increasingly rare for a so-called “event” film to not have a 3-D release, with filmmakers often having to explain their decision not to use it, while some claim that soon, every film will be in 3-D. So, what’s a 2-D hater to do? Easy—just wear an eye patch.
2. They Pushed 3-D TVs Into The Market
There wasn’t a huge demand for 3-D viewing at home until the recent surge in 3-D films. In fact, people aren’t exactly clamoring for it now either—electronics companies simply assumed that since 3-D movies were so popular, consumers must also want 3-D TVs.
The technology itself has become fairly practical, but it’s still far too expensive for most consumers. Even when prices eventually drop, it’s uncertain whether the average viewer will actually want to watch everything in three dimensions. Speaking of which...
1. Classic Flat Movies Are Being Re-Released in 3-D
For the price of a simple conversion, studios are able to give a second life to old blockbuster hits that have been tucked away for years. Many of these movies might never have made it back into theaters if it weren't for the 3-D transformation. Classic films from Disney and Pixar, as well as titles like Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Titanic (a prime example of this trend), have benefited from this conversion. Other major films like Top Gun, Jurassic Park, and the remaining Star Wars films are next in line for a similar treatment.
This approach, however, comes with its pros and cons. While many audiences rejoice at the chance to revisit their favorite films in theaters, the decision to present these classics in 3-D is a topic of debate. As a case study, the re-release of Titanic was surprisingly successful, but whether this trend will continue remains uncertain.
