Firstly, I thought Avatar was a great movie I really enjoyed it, the graphics were jaw dropping gorgeous and should be a benchmark for all future movies with million dollar special effects. I enjoyed the story too, it had great character development and the pacing felt just right. Okay, now on to my rant.
Where did this 3D craze come from all of the sudden, are we to believe it’s finally the year 2000? 3D has been around for a long time (I haven’t done any formal research into what I’m about to say so if you know better feel free to comment and share) my theory is that the recent boom in 3D movie experience is largely due to piracy and freely available digital content on the internet from sites such as YouTube and Hulu. There’s so much stuff to watch for free people stopped paying $11 for a movie ticket or we’ll just watch it on Netflix 3 months later. “3D will save the day! If we make it a 3D movie experience people will surely come out and they might even pay more!” said They and They were right, at least for me. It didn’t even need to be a movie like Avatar where James Cameron the director of the Titanic spent a decade perfecting his franchise masterpiece. Is 3D here to stay? I doubt it.
As I sat in the dimly lit theater I heard a guy say “Are these glasses going to make the movie better?” I thought to myself clearly he’s a 3D movie noob, I’ve already spent a fortune on 3D movies, of course it’s going to make it better it’s in freaking 3D! Welcome to the future of entertainment man! Little did I know I’ll be eating those words 5 minutes into the movie.
These are the reasons why I would rather watch the 2D version of Avatar:
The glasses, oh how silly we look wearing them what’s worse is if you already wear prescription glasses, like I do, you look even sillier with them on, but I don’t care about that…it’s just harder to get the glasses on just right for the optimal viewing angle through them.
Where did the big screen go? I love going to the movies for the BIG screen, but when I put on the 3D glasses I feel like my field of vision is greatly reduced, all of a sudden the screen felt small.
Look straight ahead! A movie like Avatar with so much eye candy I felt I was forced to look right in the center otherwise the 3D goes all out of whack either you start seeing double or the image starts to flicker.
What’s that pain in my eye, this can’t be healthy. Avatar is a long movie 162 minutes to be exact and with the above-mentioned combined = ouch my eyes.
You took all my money. Wait did I just pay $14.50 for a movie? (I know this is cheap for people that live in New York, how much did you pay?) $29 for two tickets, the date just got more expensive.
In closing I will say that the eye ball pain and the few extra bucks were worth it because I’m a sucker for gimmicky special effects, I especially liked it when they have tiny glowing orbs or particles floating on the screen. But to really enjoy the movie I would of rather watched it in 2D.
August 7, 2010 at 8:02 pm
3D is waaay overrated!
March 24, 2010 at 2:02 pm
i totally agree about the 3D glasses, i have glasses too and i have to wear both when i watched the movie. it was heavy and it gave me a headache, but maybe if i didn’t have prescription glasses maybe i would have enjoyed the movie more.
it was the same scenario when i watched alice in wonderland, only my head didn’t ache in alice cause the glasses we used was lighter.
there are certain movie theaters that has different styles of glasses, and some are lighter than the other.
but yeah, avatar in 3d is awesome xD
March 16, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I have to say Avatar was a spectacular film but I feel all this hype about 3D is tainting people’s perspectives of the film. The 3D technology is prettty cool but honestly in the future we will be watching 3D, glasses free which will be the optimum movie technology. But as for now I feel that if you would just like to enjoy an amazingly imaginative and heartfelt tale without the hassles/worries of the 3D’s effect on the movie then go see it in 2D. The screen is bigger, the picture is clearer, and this movie will still BLOW YOUR MIND!YOU DON’T NEED THE 3D!!!!!!
February 21, 2010 at 8:23 pm
But there’s an option to watch in 2D. Actually for all 3D movies there’s an option to watch it in 2D. You just have to go to the right theatre – or the right show time at a same theatre. no worries, you shall continue to enjoy your 2Dness XD
February 15, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Although I totally understand the pain of wearing prescription glasses during a 3-D movie (I’ve had a fair share of post-movie headaches), I really encourage those of you who haven’t watched the movie to STILL go see it 3-D and even better in 3D IMAX.
I just watched it last night and I know what some of the comments mean when they said the big screen seemed smaller (even with an IMAX screen the movie still seemed smaller because of the 3D glasses). However, I didn’t have the same headache this time because I wore my contacts instead of my glasses.
The special effects are SPECTACULAR, and are EVEN COOLER with 3D effects.
My suggestion – if you wear both contacts and glasses: plan ahead and wear contacts. They’ll save you the headaches and make the movie worth the $15+. I promise!
February 13, 2010 at 6:00 am
I agree, I went to see it in 2D with family, and we really enjoyed it. On wednesbay I went to see it in 3D and was so disappointed. It really wasn’t at all subtle, and a bit of a joke. It was a beasutiful movie and I felt the 3D effect ruined the beautiful work, as it is a fantastic movie
in 2D
February 12, 2010 at 2:28 am
I donno about you guys, I watched it few weeks ago (Dubai), the glasses were fine, and I so enjoyed it~
They were also light ..
February 10, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Me and my bf went to see Avatar (scotland), the glasses we had were really uncomfy and they made my ears hurt at the top not impressed they should also have an elastic bit at the back to keep them on mine kepf falling off when i went to get my sweets and popcorn ahah i LOVE 3D would love to see films in 3d 2d will never be the same now !
xxxx
February 6, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Impressive production but the 3D glasses were not effective, but were painful. I saw the movie 4 hours ago and my eyes are still hurting. I never once felt surrounded by the landscape like some people describe their experience. Frankly, I think and I know of one other middle aged adult who thinks the 3D dynamic could have been better.
February 5, 2010 at 5:14 am
Hmm, yeah i get what you mean. The glasses i wore for Avatar 3D were Waaay too big and i had to hold them the whole way through. and when it finally finished, my eyes took at least 10 minutes to adust to the weird lighting / 3D. But here, (australia) the glasses we have are sorta like normal glasses. And they’re plastic. But yeah, now there’s a show on TV that’s in 3D ? Nah, 3D should really stick to the cinemas.
I vote 2D is way more comfortable (y)
January 18, 2010 at 9:57 am
i didn’t watch all the movie bcoz of the pain in my eyes and in my head ,,,,!!!!!! i left the theater after only 1 hour !!!!!!!
i was feeling so bad,, i wanted to see all the film …!!!!
canada- montreal
January 10, 2010 at 4:02 am
Okay i watched avatar in 3d friday night.It’s sunday morning right now. My eyes are STILL killing me. I can seriously only looks straight ahead. Did this happen to anyone else?
Avatar was a good movie. Not sure if it was worth the pain though.
January 5, 2010 at 5:57 am
Hmm disagree.. xD.
Normally, I hate those 3D glasses, but we (Holland) had different glasses this time. I thought they were fine. Maybe it’s because I were contacts.
I thought it was worthy. I loved it ;D
January 4, 2010 at 10:52 am
omg, yes! I havent watched avatar yet, since it didnt come out where we live, but i saw up in 3-D. Gosh, they made me pay loads of money when you could hardly see the 3-D and i got a headache. I vote for 2-D films
January 2, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Ted I think its the theater you went to. I watched it in IMAX 3D and the glasses were like sunglasses-ish. A bit annoying but it was nothing like you described it to be. AND did you even watch it in IMAX? IMAX has the big screen.
Avatar=best movie ever!!!
January 2, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Yea, 3D glasses and the whole thing has its ups and downs. We dont have flying cars in 2010, but at least three dimensions for movies is here! I also hear the rumor that they are coming out with 3D tvs soon… so i dont think it will die down just yet. I think twitter will die down before the 3D hype.
My *thumbs down* experience for the glasses are:
- Uncomfortable glasses
- When i would like to be all cuddly with my guy ‘friend’ and put my head on his shoulder, the picture gets all distorted. That was annoying the most for me
My thoughts for solutions:
3D contacts!!!!
no?
maybe?
alright.
-Natalie
ND Titan Lady
January 1, 2010 at 1:16 am
I don’t know if it’s just the American cinemas or just that select one you went to, but the 3D glasses I put on for Avatar (I’m in Australia btw) didn’t degrade the quality of the movie at all. I wear prescription glasses too. I could look anywhere and it was fine. Sure it was a tad darker, but I felt fine throughout the entire film.
Maybe I’m dead inside.
PS. The 3D glasses we have over here are less cumbersome too:
http://fandangogroovers.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/real-d-glasses.jpg
January 2, 2010 at 11:06 pm
i wore those glasses you wore too! (live in florida) i think it was just the select one he went to in California.
December 31, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Avatar , it was a terrible movie . It ruined my night but this movie gave me an opportunity to be a spoiler.
thank you Avatar
December 31, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I agree with you Ted. I have prescription glasses too! and what makes it worse? The 3-d glasses that we have where I went look like actual nerd glasses and they don’t have the two colour they’re just some tinted colour (almost like sun glasses) BUT THE THING IS. i WEAR glasses that look like the big chunky nerd ones! I couldn’t even fit the glasses on my face ): I had to hook one of the arms of the 3-d glasses into my own = very painful side of head.
next time. i’ll bring rubber bands. better yet. i’m going 2-d
December 31, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I totally got motion sickness from trying to look at all the pretty details. For a good third or half of the movie I took both the 3D glasses and my prescription glasses off…
December 31, 2009 at 11:55 am
:O uh oh my sister is going to watch Avatar in 3D in IMAX today..woo her eye pain will begin :]
December 31, 2009 at 11:24 am
I’m really fine without 3D. I think it’s great that we’ve reached this kind of technology in our time, but I don’t see the need to make EVERYTHING 3D.
Before you know it, romcoms are gonna be in 3D! Who wants to see Hugh Grant popping at you?
And..
the date? teeeheeehehehehehe
December 31, 2009 at 3:53 am
That’s an interesting idea! I didn’t think about how making movies in 3D would help fight against the whole pirating business. Hmm…
Last time I watched Harry Potter in 3D, I got really dizzy. Too much for me!
February 21, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Harry Potter was in 3D? which one?
February 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm
The fifth one I think? The one with the epic duel in the end between You know who and you know who. >.> Don’t wanna spoil. The duel was in 3D. I loved it, sooo morth the extra money.
As for Avatar, honestly I loved the movie. I did not experience pain( I wore contacts) or any disorientation. I think the 3D added to the movie and made it even more spectacular.
The glasses we have here are kind of like sunglasses and they did not fall off/hurt my eyes or whatever. As for looking “funky” I think it’s all part of the fun, stop being vain and enjoy the movie.
=)
Canada, BC.
December 30, 2009 at 11:52 pm
i watched Up in 3D and the glasses were a pain to keep on over my prescription ones. i really do want to try watching Avatar in 3D, though. i heard it was wonderful~
December 30, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I thought Avatar was amazing! Although I do agree with you, the 3D glasses made my eyes hurt after a while and I had to pay four dollars more than a normal movie ticket in 2D. The price wasn’t too bad compared to your $14.50 though, it was $12.50 for an adult ticket for me and since I went with six friends, it came out to $75 overall. I love watching movies in 3D, it makes the experience much more enjoyable in my opinion.
December 30, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Avatar was an amazing movie! I enjoyed it in 3-d but would have enjoyed it alot better if my eyes didnt hurt after awhile of watching. It would be awesome if they came up with some comfy non-eye-hurting 3-d glasses!
December 30, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Just watch it in IMAX 3D if the screen is too small for you!
December 30, 2009 at 6:01 pm
3D is cool but when so many movies come out in 3D, it loses its specialness. I go for 2D.
December 30, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I totally understand you Ted. I wear glasses too and it was a pain watching it with the 3D glasses. and my eyes were straining >.< But, the movie was still good!
P.S.
i love how you write Ted
December 30, 2009 at 4:07 pm
avatar! i legit enjoyed the movie! everyone was telling me how good it was, but i didn’t go watch it with super high expectations cuz i used to before and ended up disappointed when it wasn’t as awesome as i was hopin it’d be. but avatar was THAT AWESOME! saw it in IMAX 3D and i def have to agree with you on the whole glasses thing – so hard to get it to fit perfectly.. sigh i wore mine above my ears to get the glasses pressed against my face hehe. o wells tho.. yay for good movies
http://www.fandango.com/VisaSignature
oh and movie tix! there’s a buy 1 get 1 offer on fandango if you have an eligible visa/chase card! you can use the offer once a month too
December 30, 2009 at 12:39 pm
The glasses are a pain..although I think it was worth to see it in not only in 3D but in IMAX…the ultimate movie experience. It was freaking awesome.
December 30, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I had to use those glasses when I saw Toy Story 1 & 2 a few months ago. Those things were awkward, especially since I already wear glasses. Not only that, we had to give them back after the movie.
I went to a different theater for both A Christmas Carol and Avatar, which provided the RealD 3D glasses/Nerd glasses that practically everyone on Youtube has. Those are quite fine to me. I think I have about 6 pairs now.
Here in Hawaii, the price is the same, $14.50 per ticket. But no tax for movie tickets, I think. So, $21 for two.
December 30, 2009 at 11:28 am
i wholeheartedly agree with everything you said, but in the end i’ll probably continue to watch 3d movies and spend unnecessary amounts of money on movies i could easily get online .. ahh. money ]: haha
December 30, 2009 at 11:24 am
$4 for a 3d glasses that i have no use for afterward. i have 4 pair at home, just sitting on the table =\
December 30, 2009 at 11:22 am
prices in new york at AMC: $9 for children and seniors i believe, $12.50 for adults. $4 extra for 3D glasses, meaning $16.50 for a ticket. its cheaper if you go watch the shows before 12pm, $6 for a ticket and $4 extra for the 3D glasses, making it $10. also, if you get the AMC MoiveWatcher card, you earn 2points for every ticket, can earn up to 4points for each use. 10pts, you get free popcorn, 20pts free soda, 30pts free ticket or large soda and popcorn, 40pts free popcorn again and so on.
when you guys come to new york and want to save, go to the morning shows and get the card. this is how i save.
i dont like watching 3D for the same reasons. it gives me a headache and i wear glasses too making it so uncomfortable.
December 30, 2009 at 11:19 am
hahahahaaaaa- wow ted. you’re so convincing. seriously. i’m thinking about not watching it in 3D now.
asian noses don’t have high bridges. might be the reason why :/
December 30, 2009 at 11:09 am
I completely agree 100%. I watched it the first time in 2D. It was AMAZING! So I was hyped to see it in 3D to see the potential of how much better it could be! Where we went to watch it the second time, we got the bigger 3D glasses with the wider and longer “lenses.” It turned out to be a LIEMAX so I was a bit upset about that (going to Irvine Spectrum IMAX from now on). Anyway, I concluded it was great. The 3D was cool. It was like I could almost touch them. I was enveloped in all the creativity and details of the plants and beauty of Pandora. Until… I laid my head on my boyfriend’s shoulder and the 3D went out of whack like you said. WTF. So I had to sit up straight and forward the entire time. How lame. But in the end, maybe I’m a sucker for the little creative details in life… some of the scenes in 3D were just pure sweetness. I thought it was worth it. I paid 15 bucks for it the second time times 5 family members. Totally worth it.
December 30, 2009 at 11:05 am
First of all, it needs to be said; if anyone call pull off the incredibly odd looking 3D glasses, it’s you Ted.
(case and point, video blog 19: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9kQnEN13Gw)
Secondly, haven’t seen Avatar yet, was going to hold out for 3D, but after reading this, I think I’ll save myself a couple of extra bucks and just go and see in 2D. Thanks Ted!
December 30, 2009 at 11:04 am
HAHAHA, yeah I totally understand. I’ve actually only seen one movie in 3D. It was Disney Digital 3D, pretty good, but sometimes a little too much to take in. I can imagine how motion sick I would get from “Avatar.” BTW, Ted you’re an excellent writer. This was a short blog, but still your writing skills amaze me. Awell, better luck next time!
Steph
December 30, 2009 at 11:04 am
I didn’t like the 3D glasses. I kept thinking “What the hell is this supposed to do for me?”
I also kept getting dizzy which pissed me off. I mean I like Avatar graphically, but the story was mediocre.
Anyway that’s all I got to say on the topic of Avatar.
December 30, 2009 at 10:50 am
Ah prescription glasses pain, how I feel you. Did you feel like you went from full frame to crop sensor ::end Canon joke::
December 30, 2009 at 9:41 am
A lot of people watched Avatar in 3D Imax, where the screen is bigger and the sound is better. Me and my gf did so too. You should watch a movie in 3D Imax Ted. I’ve never seen a movie in regular 3D, but Avatar was selling out prettty fast for the Imax one and not the regular 3D.
December 30, 2009 at 9:02 am
new yorkers had to pay $16.50 each D:
December 30, 2009 at 8:59 am
it does seem to be the new trend….plus they want your monies. easiest way is to NOT go to movies that have 3d but its still $$$. Its about 10 here in CA. And then if you go before noon its about 6 so that isn’t so bad. but still.
December 30, 2009 at 8:27 am
That’s exactly what I thought and I thought maybe I was wrong or something. When they talked about the 3D craze finally happening.. I’m like.. hasn’t 3D been around for a long time now?
December 30, 2009 at 8:23 am
Really? $14.50 for a movie? I live in New York and some of the tickets range from $9.00 to $12.00. Kid tickets are about I think $6 to the most I’ve ever seen was maybe 12$. I don’t know I haven’t been to the movie theater much so they might have changed but it varies where you go for a movie theater. If you’re in the city, I think they cost more than they should. However, they tend to the change the price once they know the movies are big. And of course, feel free to correct me. Hope that helps.
-Ems
December 30, 2009 at 7:56 am
awww poor ted
I can’t believe how much you have to pay for tickets in Cali.. heh in tx its like 8 bucks? I don’t remember the last time that I saw a 3d film …
December 30, 2009 at 6:55 am
Agreed!! hate 3d glasses.. I tried it once when I was watching “the christmas carol,” and I have to say that I didn’t enjoy it. Especially when the movie that you’re watching is mostly at night time, you wouldn’t enjoy 3d since it makes your vision darker.