Life in the third dimension

by Joanne Petty

There has been a sudden influx of 3D films to come out of Hollywood recently, and this year has seen the highest amount of 3D films to hit the screens since the 1950s. But what makes the 3D film so special and will it survive this time around?

Technology has a large role to play in the success of the 3D film, and in the 1950s when the first 3D films came onto the market, the effects were very basic and audiences had to wear, the now classic square cardboard tinted lens glasses, to view a movie.

Most 3D films at the time, were cheesy sci-fi or horror flicks where the 3D effects could be exaggerated. One of the most famous films was It Came From Outer Space (1953), about a strange meteor that lands on Earth and takes over human’s minds.

Other popular 3D films of the time were: Kiss Me, Kate (1953) which was an adaptation of the hit Broadway play, Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), and Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M For Murder (1954). This film, though originally filmed in 3D, was not actually shown in any cinemas in this format until 1980, where fans were so impressed, Warner Bros. put it on general release in 1982.

Just a gimmick

However, not all films in 3D were successful and were sometimes seen as gimmicks to promote films that would otherwise be a flop.

A famous example of a film ‘so bad it’s good’ is Robot Monster (1953) directed by Phil Tucker. Depicting a strange gorilla wearing a deep sea diver’s helmet, technically the 3D was good for a crew that had no experience, however the storyline was bizarre and poorly made, due to a low budget.

3D films died out towards the end of the 1950s, mainly because of technical factors. To make a 3D film two cameras record side by side, meaning that when it came to be viewed, two people had to project two cameras onto a somewhat impractical screen. If either of the films were misaligned slightly it could result in viewers getting a headache or making the film unwatchable.

The 1980s saw a small revival of 3D films, with the screening of Dial M For Murder and the greatly criticised Jaws 3-D. The third instalment in the Friday the 13th series was also shot in 3D, yet to not much acclaim.
During the 1990s 3D films were virtually unheard of apart from in IMAX theatres. The films shown were mainly educational films, however, and were more of a showcase for the IMAX experience.

Comeback

3D films made a comeback in 2003 when an exposition to mark the 50th anniversary of 3D films was held. Later that year, films such as Spy Kids and The Polar Express were released in 3D. There were a trickle of average films released in 3D up until last year when films such as Journey To The Center Of The Earth and Bolt were released in the newly developed Disney Digital 3D.

An influx of films followed and cheesy horror films such as My Bloody Valentine and The Final Destination gained a lot of audiences, simply because of the gimmick. Lately there has been a huge increase in children’s 3D films such as Monsters vs. Aliens, Up and A Christmas Carol.

In 2010, there is the highly anticipated version of Toy Story 3 due to be released and in December James Cameron’s Avatar - a complex sci-fi film that has already been praised for its highly technical 3D effects - will play at cinemas.

With 3D films becoming so much easier to produce now, it looks like they are going to be around for a lot longer. Cinemas saw a 60 per cent increase on ticket sales last year because of 3D films, as families seem to love the concept.

However, to not make the mistakes of the 1950s, 3D filmmakers will have to come up with varied films showcasing all that 3D can do, and not just family films.

Even TV has started to catch onto the wonders of the third dimension, tune into Channel 4 this week for 3D week where a series of different television programmes will bring the stars of the small screen straight into your living room. From Paul O'Grady to JLS on t4, you can pick up a free pair of glasses from your local Sainsbury's supermarket to join in the fun.