At first I looked for a theater that would not MAKE me watch Up in 3D. Then I tried to talk my son out of going to see it, being galled by having to pay an extra $3/ticket for the 3D privilege. When I put on the 3D glasses, I was irritated. I already wear glasses which made this second set rather uncomfortable. I was unhappy in at least three dimensions before the movie ever started.
But I trust Pixar. They are always about telling a story. I had been reassured by this CNN report on the film’s opening in Cannes.
“We really tried to use depth in the same we use color and cinematography, and that is to further the emotion of the scene,” said [Up’s director Pete] Docter of the philosophy behind the team’s use of 3D in “Up.”
Docter and [co-director Bob] Petersen steer clear of using 3D to create wow factor with the visual gags the format can provide. [Pixar head John] Lasseter agrees that 3D should be used as an aid to storytelling and not just for cheap visual thrills.
The actual film, I think, would have been just as good in 2D. I am not persuaded that this is as big a step forward as the addition of sound, as some have said.
It seems like Rober Ebert agrees:
The movie will be shown in 3-D in some theaters, about which I will say nothing, except to advise you to save the extra money and see it in 2-D.
I confess that by the end of the film, I had forgotten the glasses. It worked. I am just not sure a lot was gained. What I am sure of is that we will see a lot more of this.
“According to Lasseter, who is also chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar’s tenth film also marks a major shift for both studios. “All of our films from now on will be made in 3D both at Pixar and at the Disney Animation Studios as well,” he said.
[An unmentioned advantage of the 3D experience is that we all get to look like Joe Maddon for two hours.]
