Roger Ebert: How 3D is killing Hollywood
America's most prestigious film critic outlines 9 reasons why 3D technology is already ruining the movies
After 3D hits like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland exploded at the box office, Hollywood is betting that the trippily immersive technology will define the future of moviemaking. If so, start worrying, says America's most prestigious living film critic. In the latest issue of Newsweek, Roger Ebert rails against 3D, counting off nine reasons why the technology is an "annoying distraction" that threatens traditional narrative story-telling:
"3-D is a waste of a perfectly good dimension. Hollywood's current crazy stampede toward it is suicidal. It adds nothing essential to the moviegoing experience. For some, it is an annoying distraction. For others, it creates nausea and headaches. It is driven largely to sell expensive projection equipment and add a $5 to $7.50 surcharge on already expensive movie tickets. Its image is noticeably darker than standard 2-D. It is unsuitable for grown-up films of any seriousness....
"I'm not opposed to 3-D as an option. I'm opposed to it as a way of life for Hollywood, where it seems to be skewing major studio output away from the kinds of films we think of as Oscar-worthy. Scorsese and Herzog make films for grown-ups. Hollywood is racing headlong toward the kiddie market. Disney recently announced it will make no more traditional films at all, focusing entirely on animation, franchises, and superheroes. I have the sense that younger Hollywood is losing the instinctive feeling for story and quality that generations of executives possessed."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full article at Newsweek:
.................................................
SEE MORE OF THE WEEK'S COVERAGE OF 3D:
• "Alice in Wonderland": A 3D disaster?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
• "Avatar" depression syndrome?
• "Clash of the Titans": Is "fake 3D" a scam?
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The CIA is openly recruiting foreign spies in other countries
In the Spotlight The agency is posting instructions in multiple languages for people to contact them
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'People want to understand food — but only to a point'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How do cash-back apps work and are they worth it?
The Explainer Put a percentage of the amount you spend back in your pocket
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published