3D or not 3D: that is the question (no spoilers please)

[RedRider]

I watched 'Gravity' last night, the first film I've seen in 3D.

I thought the extra dimension would be a distraction and seeing the trailer for the new Hobbit film beforehand I feared the worse as the characters stood proud of the background as though in a cardboard cut-out theatre.

But I was wrong. The 3D in the main feature was sensational as characters and objects floated in space. Visor reflections gave the illusion of wearing a space helmet when the shots were POV and at one point, when a zero G teardrop drifted towards me, I almost reached out. I was immersed, not distracted.

What's your experience of films in 3D?

 

[Mile195]

Usually to be 80p poorer every time I go to the cinema...

...And my glovebox getting a little bit fuller with yet another pair of flamin' 3d glasses...

 

[mark st1]

Not impressed with it our tele has it bust sitting here in my front room in a pair of NHS looking specs is just annoying. If you want a real trip have a look at your pc screen through them makes me wanna

 

[PeteXXX]

Didn't the BBC spend £millions on 3D TV then bin it?
I've not yet been to see a 3D film, but the thought of sitting for several hours wearing silly glasses doesn't appeal to me.
Maybe I should though, just to see how 'trippy' it is

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I have seen a few 3D movies and I reckon it's great. I wear glasses anyway so never notice them after a minute or so.

 

[Doseone]

All the 3D films I've seen have been with the kids and the effect has been brilliant.

 

[LimeBurn]

Always make sure I see the 3D version of a film if at all possible. I love it when you're so into the film that all of a sudden you flinch at something that pops from the screen. I do have a 50" 3D tv which is great and have a couple of 3D blurays but don't use the feature as much as I thought I would, sat at home with glasses on just isn't the same.

 

[TheDoctor]

The few 3D films I've seen I've really enjoyed.
Mostly been animations rather than live action though. Up was great. Avatar, less so.

 

[Sandra6]

I've watched a few films in 3d and then again in 2d, and I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Wearing 3d glasses over my normal glasses just makes the screen a bit out of focus and gives me a headache anyway.

 

[Archie_tect]

Not bothered to watch HD versions never mind 3D so until it becomes standard issue then it'll pass me by, like digital radio, Blueray, dance programmes and talent shows.

 

[Piemaster]

I'm with Limeburn on this - I'll take the 3D version over the 2D. Not so much for the 'things coming out of the screen' as for the depth of the picture. I'd more compare it to the difference between screen and a theatre performance. As it's been around awhile now and I've watched a fair bit of 3D I don't find myself looking for the effects anymore, and thankfully the novelty value seems to have worn off a bit for the filmmakers and they are actually starting to use it more effectively, making 3D films, not 2D films with 3D effects. I'm hoping 'Gravity' will be an example of that but I've not seen it as yet.

 

[DefBref]

Gravity is the first film Mark Kermode (Radio 5Live Film critic and noted 3D sceptic) has recommended to see in 3D rather than 2D. So Gravity may not be the best judge for the OP as a bar for all 3D films. For me most 3D films I've seen haven't really impressed me, after 20 minutes I stop noticing the effect and instead get annoyed about wearing the glasses. I am going to see Gravity on Tuesday in IMax 3D so will be interesting if its use of 3D is immersive as the critics say.

 

[surfdude]

i find the kids cartoon type films in 3d to be much better then the ones with real actors in

 

[Markymark]

3d will only succeed in the cinema but many like me will avoid it as its too distracting and ends up giving me a headache.

The home tv 3d market is failing as our watching habits are changing and people watchvtv whilst also on the iPad and smart phone which is not possible with 3d glasses. I believe tv manufacturers are not pushing 3d because of this.

 

[cosmicbike]

Have 3D TV, simply because our old CRT was past it last year, and Richer Sounds gave us an offer too good. So, first 3D experience was Avatar, then Despicable Me, both on a 42" LED TV. Wonderful I think, for adding depth to a film. If you expect 3D to be all about things 'floating out' of the screen then you are mistaken, though some of the trial BluRay discs do show this off really well (my kids like the sharks, funny that).
First 3D at the cinema last week, Planes, made it that much more of an experience, even if the film itself was cr@p