Three-dimensional or 3D films are motion pictures shot and shown in a way that provides an illusion of three dimensions. The Power of Love—a movie now lost to time—is the first 3D film ever screened for a commercial audience. The 1950s brought with it the 3D boom period with House of Wax perhaps being the most notable feature. In the decades since, there have been many 3D films that have thrilled audiences with their unique experiences.
Avatar
Avatar is a polarizing yet iconic film, and you can’t tell the story of modern 3D cinema without it. It’s a science fiction epic that legendary moviemaker James Cameron wrote and directed, and he developed it specifically for 3D viewing. It tells the story of a paraplegic marine torn between his orders and a world he now considers home. The magical and alien landscapes are particularly well suited to a modern 3D experience.
Dial M for Murder
Dial M for Murder has an interesting history. They shot in 3D but rarely showed it that way publicly. It also received mixed reviews from critics and was an afterthought in the Alfred Hitchcock canon for a long time. Decades later, audiences and critics would look at the film much more favorably. Fans wondered what the 3D version would be like and continued to pressure the studio. Eventually, Warner Bros. remastered the 3D version and released it on Blu Ray for home viewing.
Gravity
Gravity is a popular science fiction movie directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. What’s interesting about Gravity is that many consider it the best hybrid 3D movie of all time. The actors were shot in traditional 2D. Then, graphic artists created all the backgrounds using 3D computer-generated images (CGI). Finally, those two layers were blended together to create one of the most distinctive 3D viewing experiences ever.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Fury Road continues the Mad Max story. For some, it’s notable because Max Rockatansky isn’t the main character, and the film instead focuses on Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa. For others, it’s notable how stunning it is as a 3D spectacle. Even in 2D, many fans agree it’s nearly flawless as an action movie. The 3D brings it to another level and keeps you enthralled and on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Hugo
Hugo is a Martin Scorsese film about a boy who lives with his widowed father, a clockmaker, in 1931 Paris. After his father dies, he’s tasked with protecting a notebook. That notebook and a train become the vehicles through which Scorsese explores and celebrates the magic of cinema. It’s a fantastic film whether viewed flat or in 3D, but the 3D experience is something incredible. Scorsese does things with the 3D format that no one has really done before.
Honorable Mentions
House of Wax, mentioned in the opener, is a wonderful Vincent Price vehicle, and the 3D version is a lot of fun. For other modern options, check out Blade Runner 2049, and The Martian, which certainly doesn’t get enough attention in this regard.
Published by: Holy Minoza
