Is 3-D a scam?

Welcome to my innagural post! To kick things off, I am going to start with a topic that I feel very strongly about: 3-D movies. In my opinion, 3-D is a gimmick used to jack up ticket prices by $3-$8. It contributes absolutly nothing to the story or to my enjoyment of the movie. It was a gimmick when it first was used in the 1950s and it has returned as a gimmick in the 2000s.

Case in point: I recently attended a 3-D screening of Harry Potter 6 at the Great Clips Imax Theatre in Apple Valley. Tickets were $15.00 per person but fortunately, as a member of the zoo, I only had to shell out $13.00 for 2 tickets. Before the movie started, we received detailed instructions on when to put on our thick, plastic glasses and when to take them off during the movie. It turns out that some of the previews were in 3-D so I had to put on my glasses right away. I continued to keep the glasses on through the first scene of the movie. After the first scene, the screen flashed instructions to remove my 3-D glasses. I did so and kept my glasses tightly gripped in my hand, ready to thrust them back on my face at any moment for the next 3-D scene. But the opportunity never came to put the glasses back on. Only the very first 5 minute scene was in 3-D. Not even the quidditch match in the movie was 3-D. In fact, there were move previews in 3-D than the actual movie!!!

What a scam!! And from what I have heard, other peoples' experiences with 3-D has been similar. I have yet to hear of a movie where the 3-D actually contributed to the work, with the possible exception of The Final Destination 3-D (a movie which no doubt utilizes a multitude of gimmicks). Yet every weekend, more and more movies are being released in 3-D. What gives? Why take a fine film like UP and add 3-D? To jack up ticket prices.

Roger Ebert, my idol, has similar views on 3-D. To read about his thoughts yourself, visit: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/05/up_up_and_away_in_my_beautiful.html

Here's an excerpt:

There is also the annoyance of 3D itself. It is a marketing gimmick designed (1) to justify higher ticket prices, and (2) make piracy harder. Yet as most of the world will continue to use 2D, pirated prints will remain a reality. The effect of 3D adds nothing to the viewing experience, and I have never once heard an audience member complain that a movie is not in 3D. Kids say they "like" it, but kids are inclined to say they "like" anything that is animated and that they get to see in a movie theater. It is the responsibility of parents to explain this useful truth: If it ain't broke. don't fix it. Every single frame of a 3D movie gives you something to look at that is not necessary

What movies have you seen in 3-D? Do you think it made the movie better or worse? Do you agree with Roger and Me - is 3-D a scam? I want this to be a discussion-based blog so your comments are encouraged!