Movies, Music & TV Shows

[Tasha-BBY Retired: Social Media Specialist]

If you’ve been to a theater lately, you have probably noticed that the 2D selection is dwindling quite rapidly. The 3D trend has taken off, and seems like it’s here to stay. It’s an experience that puts you smack into the middle of the story, so much so that you feel as if you could touch the characters! Who wouldn’t want that?

Most movies these days are being filmed specifically for 3D, with a special camera to do so. With the 3D capabilities, the shots are specifically planned out to have characters and actions “pop” as much as possible. Luckily enough, this hasn’t impacted the 2D viewers by much. You may find this hard to believe, but not all customers enjoy being that close to the action. People who wear regular glasses don’t want to wear 2 pair to enjoy a movie. For others, the realistic action is too much for their stomachs and heads to handle.

You may have also seen a movie or two that you stopped and asked yourself, “Hey, didn’t that movie come out 7 years ago?” Movies are being rereleased after being converted from their original 2D version to 3D. Disney seems to be the driver on this bandwagon, having rereleased a movie every few months to a year with this selling point. They began rereleases in 2006 with The Nightmare Before Christmasas a Halloween special. In 2009 they rereleased Toy Story and Toy Story 2 as a 3D double feature. However, it was The Lion King in 2011 that really drew in the crowds. From then on, Disney and Pixar have released Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, Inc. Rumor has it that the next movie up for rerelease will be The Little Mermaid this fall.

Bringing this experience home is becoming easier and cheaper.  Movies are being sold as 3D and you can’t walk into a store without seeing the newest 3D TV! This is definitely a turning point or the 3D trend. While it’s no longer an exclusive movie theater experience, you can enjoy the experience in theater, and again at home.

While the idea of rereleasing movies drives parents to the theater with their children begging for candy and Icees, is the quality as good as it was in 2D? Many people would say they don’t notice a quality difference, and others would say the conversion doesn’t live up to the standard of movies shot for 3D, because the experience doesn’t “pop” as much as it could.

You can check out some of our top rated 3D TVs and Blu-Ray players, as well as 3D movies that are on sale on BestBuy.com.

What are your favorite 3D experiences? What are your opinions on the quality? Do you think it’s here to stay or will it be a dying trend?

[Bill-BBY Retired: Senior Social Media Specialist]

I know I am going to date myself on this one, but I remember back when 3D was a gimmick for really bad movies in the 80's.  I went to see Jaws 3 specifically for the 3D.

I can't say that I've been to a see a 3D movie recently, mostly because they charge an extra $3-5 per ticket depending on the theater.  I also really haven't seen a movie where I went "I need to see that in 3D".  Maybe something will come along to make me change my mind, but right now it just seems like another way for Disney to recycle their movies and fill up their pockets.  

[Dval]

3D TVs have overall better picture quality just for having the processors to handle 3D so I definitely see them as here to stay.  I rarely ever watch anything in 3D, but I wanted great picture quality with all the bells and whistles...of course after seeing the Panasonic ZT60 coming out this year I'm a little sad. 

If 3D was a mandatory feature on the TV, then it would have died already.  However, with it being optional, I don't see any reason for it to go away especially with prices continually dropping. 

The only drawback is the cost of 3D movies at regular price.  However, if you get them the week of release, then they're maybe $5 more than the Blu-ray.  $40...no bueno.  $20-$30?  Me gusta.

[bobberuchi]

I really enjoy good quality 3D movies in the theater.  Unfrotunaly, a good share of the movies I have seen in 3D a the theaters often were not worth the extra price of admission.  Almost like making the movie in 3D was an afterthought.

Every time I go into BB I almost alwasy stick my face up to the 3D glasses and take a look.  Personaly I am not overly impressed at this time with 3D on a a home TV.  Maybe the store displays have the glasses to close to the TV set but unless the objects are moving slowly the images seem to lose a lot of sharpness or fast moving object blur a lot.  

I think 3D technology for home TV sets will get better and better as time goes on, but at this time I cannot seing making a serious investment in it.