Cinetopia

Ever since 2003, 3D movies have been making a comeback in theaters worldwide. It seems James Cameron has followed the 3D mantra from the start, releasing Ghosts of the Abyss, the first full-length 3D IMAX feature filmed with the Reality Camera System. The camera system used HD video cameras instead of film and was built for Cameron specifically by Vince Pace. That same year, Pace’s camera system was used to film Spy Kids 3D: Game Over then The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D in 2005.It appears that the most common films released in 3D format up until 2010 were children’s movies. In addition to Spy Kids 3D and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, hit children’s movies such as The Polar Express (2004), Chicken Little (2005), Coraline (2009), Up (2009), and Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) were filmed and shown in 3-D.While there were some non-children’s movies strewn among the G and PG 3D films, the PG-13 and up regimen of 3D movies wasn’t promising until James Cameron’s highly anticipated number one box office hit Avatar. The premier of Cameron’s 3D masterpiece became the highest grossing film of all time. It was released in 2D, 3D (using RealD 3D, Dolby 3D, and IMAX 3D formats), as well as in 4D.The 3D imaging techniques used in Avatar are said to be a breakthrough in cinematic technology. This can only mean one thing we can expect a LOT more movies coming at us (literally) in 3D. Already, three major motion pictures Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon, and Clash of the Titans have been released in March and April alone of 2010. Though these productions are available in traditional 2D format as well as 3D, there is a lot to be said about the effects of moving towards a complete 3D cinema experience.