Still the best poster of all time, isn’t it?
During Half Time of Manchester United’s glorious comeback on Sunday, I got the Phantom Menace trailer. I’m a lucky boy with Sky 3D, so this was the trailer everyone had seen at the cinema, but, you know… in 3D. And I say that as a huge fan of 3D. The trailers doing the rounds in the cinema for PM didn’t wow me at all. In fact, they had me really concerned. Not just concerned in a “what’s the point?” kind of way, but also concerned in the damage it may do to 3Ds already faltering reputation.
The trailer on my own TV made me excited. The stars jutting out like I could touch them. Speeders flying off camera at all of the angles you would hope for. So I got thinking. Why is 3D better at Home than it is at the cinema? Because, from my experience, it is universally the case. Maybe with the exception of Thor, every film I own/have watched at Home, has been an improved 3D experience.
And that’s without bothering to buy something like Afterlife where the 3D was fantastic at the cinema, but the film poor.
I have no doubt PM will fall into that category – but that shouldn’t stop you seeing it at the cinema. The pod race, which I had written off in my head as being “too fast”, was sensational. absolutely brilliant.
But – and this is the bit where I lose my audience – I think that’s a stunning section anyway. So, although 3D made it feel faster, more involved, and overall more engaging… well, it was great to start with. So, what it doesn’t do is answers the naysayers who don’t get the point.
Me? I was pleased to see PM at the cinema again, anyway. I knew that the pod race and Dual Of The Fates would justify my £1.50 surplus alone. And that’s the difference, isn’t it? Anyone who still thinks PM is a pile of shit, won’t be swayed by an immaculate, almost delicate 3D conversion.
Me? I think it’s ageing really well. The script is still woeful. Ewan still phones it in. But Nesson, (maybe/definitely fresh from my Grey love), is far more bearable. There needs to be a Samuel L. Jackson drinking game for how bad his interactions with Yoda are. One look had the three of us almost chucked out for how much we laughed.
It’s just the plot. PM is the most in-depth plot of any Star wars film, and that’s where Lucas got it wrong. When the dog fight starts almost two hours into the film, you think… “WTF has Lucas been doing for 120 minutes of my life??” I don’t care about Politics in real life, let alone in a SW film. Get on with the two-bladed light sabre, you fat beardy twat!
Jar Jar is still a complete tool, but I thought the CGI on him, and especially Watto, have aged really well.
Nothing has changed. (Well, aside from a pod race shot where Anakin breaks the fourth wall by reaching out and fixing his pod. I need to check the Blu Ray today to see if that’s in there. If it is, it was almost filmed with the intention of being 3D it worked so well. Because, if we’re really honest, a few shots of stuff coming out of the screen is what gives a 3D film the wow factor. All of the establishing shots of hundreds of droids is just too subtle for most cinema goers. Which is kind of sad.)
So, you’re left with that over-riding question… Why bother?
Well, I’d like to think Lucas is sat at Home with a 3D TV and will get the benefit of this on Blu Ray. Like me. Maybe like a few more that realise 3D Football is just great fun, and immersive.
That begs another question. Why bother at the cinema then? Go straight to Blu Ray. (And, putting our hatred of Lucas aside… if it was all about the cash, why not release the originals on Blu? We’d all buy it. He’d make a killing. So….)
But if it goes straight to Blu Ray. Well, then me, and more importantly, my Son, don’t get to see PM at the cinema.
Ethan is a bit young this time round, but we’ll definitely go to see Clones. He’ll love seeing it at the cinema, and if it offers me the possibility of The Abyss, or Burton’s Batman being re-released in 3D then I’ll keep championing it. And PM is a kids film. remember?
The conversion process itself is where I’ll spend my day. I want to know the how they do it. Because I don’t mind admitting, if for nothing other than this review, I kept checking over the top of the glasses. The 3D on the scenes with the hundreds of droids were fantastic. Full 3D. (Not 2.9D as Jim Cameron is calling it).
It makes me hopeful for The Avengers. That if they get it right, you might feel like you’re right in there with Hulk as he swings from plane to plane. Spiderman certainly will be a highlight of the year for me. If the POV shots are done right, people should be puking in the aisles, as he (WE) swing through New York.
We’ll see.
People are saying it’s the original trilogy people will really want to see. That’s probably true. I kept thinking myself how good Hoth would look. But there is enough in Episodes II and III to tick us over until then. The final battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan alone will look incredible. But I’m not so sure anyone else shares my lust.
As I left the cinema at 10pm, walking into a snowy car park (and regretting not making a snow angel or too), I would have happily done a triple bill. Clones and Sith. All in 3D. Bang.
But I know I’m alone in thinking that.
A part of me thinks the damage is done. That people still see it as a gimmick. That they have forgotten how lost they got in Avatar. How much detail the 3D picks up within a football match. It’s still a hip I’d rather be part of though. I won’t jump yet. Not until Leo asks me too.
Or until Marty grabs that Oscar and does the biggest FU to 3D naysayers, yet.
