Sunday, April 8, 2012

Titanic in 3D - $18 million - Was it really worth it?

I watched the visually improved Titanic in 3D last night, I have lost count of how many times I've seen the film, but every time I expect something different to happen to the characters. I'm writing this post because I don't really think it was worth making it 3D, firstly it was a film which wasn't filmed for 3D. My main reason for not caring much for the 3D was that there was nothing worth seeing in 3D in the film, I could barely notice I was watching 3D most of the time. Also there were some shots which just irritated me because the focal points had become out of focus. For example the crane in shot of the two lookouts in the tower was really out of focus, I assumed the 3D effects added triggered this. As the film doesn't really have much that looks good in 3D, only the exterior establishing shots which pan around the ship to show different times of the day looked okay, there were some extra things added in. In the scene where Jack and Rose swim down the flooded corridor, computer generated water had been animated to add to the 3D effect, but I really don't think it was worth paying £11.50 to see this film in 3D; most likely so they could make their $18million back from converting it to 3D.

Now don't get me wrong, I really like this film, my opinion is that it is one of the best films ever made and is why I have seen it a number of times in my lifetime. There are still scenes which I find emotional to watch, such as the scene which was called 'the band that played on' which shows the musicians playing their instruments with the visuals of the captain waiting for the boat to sink and the ships designer drowning his sorrows with alcohol. I think it's a very powerful scene, and definitely one I think makes the film what it is.

4 comments:

  1. When I first read that they were releasing Titanic in 3D, I thought why would they? There really aren't any scenes to utilize 3D at its full potential. Yea, maybe the panning of the ship like you pointed out in the article, and maybe that famous "Jack I'm flying" scene. But, then it hit me. It's a clever way to introduce this great film to the younger generation, and squeeze it for a little more mulah.

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    1. I fully agree, myself I never saw the film originally at the cinema, I have grown up watching it on video tape and DVD, which is what attracted me to go watch last night. I just hope that the younger generation of viewers appreciate it and end up sharing the film with their parents like mine did for me years ago.

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  2. Instantly my thought was why as well. I realize that 3D is all the rage right now with huge advancements in the technology, but Titanic? A 15 year old movie? I think it would have the same impact as colorizing one of the black and white Three Stooges episodes.

    All in all it doesn't quite seem to be the best way to honor the Titanic's milestone anniversary, but who knows? I certainly don't. Perhaps I just have Leo envy.

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    1. I know they are also playing the film in 2D at the moment (that is enough to celebrate the anniversary I think), but I would have gone to a 2D screening without a doubt, I was just intrigued to see it in 3D.

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