Comments on: James Cameron Announces Next Project After AVATAR…and Yeah, It’s in 3D But It’s Not Battle Angel

By: amh

amh — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:32:17 +0000

I found this post really interesting, and a good recap and perspective on the Variety interview with Cameron. With the recent Hannah Montana 3-D concert film release, it seems to be that everyone is discussing the next best way to utilize this new technology on screen. I’ve followed along with the production of Avatar and can say that its truly exciting to see what such a visionary director like Cameron could do with this new technology, especially due to Cameron’s history making large, yet personal films.

However, I can say that talk of Cameron’s aspirations of making a drama in 3-D worry me about the oversaturation of this new twist on the medium. While I do believe 3-D has been effective in animated films like Beowulf and event or concert films like U2-3D, and it has potential to change cinema with Avatar, I worry that if it enters every genre it will become bland and overused. If a normal genre such as drama starts to utilize 3-d, I’m afraid films will begin to rely on these effects, and before long audiences will simply be waiting for the character to reach for the mail and have their hand bursting through the screen. I think animation and event films rely on moments that allow 3-d to shine, but I doubt its ability to become the new platform for film. I feel the adjustment process would be simply too drastic and obvious, that would, in turn, dilute the content.

By: yas

yas — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:23:41 +0000

i just looked up this avatar stuff which i hadn’t heard of before, sounds awesome, i really dig good sci-fi and i saw Beowolf in 3D at sydney IMAX, which was awesome, can’t wait for this.

By: Captain Awesome

Captain Awesome — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:17:13 +0000

haha, touche Enrique :)

By: Enrique

Enrique — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:01:11 +0000

@Manfred

You don’t need 3D to enhance the cinematic experience… you just need people to check their cell phones at the door. That alone would make any movie 10 times better, especially dramas!

By: Manfred Powell

Manfred Powell — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:10:37 +0000

Cameron’s saying the stuff I’ve been telling people for years.

He’s absolutely right - cinema has always been trying to move towards increased levels of audience immersion.

Of course, the first and foremost way you try and do that is with a damn good story. But using and improving the nature of the cinematic medium to enhance that experience is also part of the package of filmmaking and film watching.

By: Captain Awesome

Captain Awesome — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:48:15 +0000

I loved Sunshine until Melanoma Man showed up at the end. That film was just at the finish line in being perfect. Boyle also showed me that Chris Evans is a great actor. He turned out to be one of my favorite characters in that whole film. Surprising since I usually saw him as “that dude” in those horrible spoof and FF films.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:12:30 +0000

I thought sunshine was an excelent sci fi flick

By: cawlin

cawlin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:08:57 +0000

I trust him when it comes to stunning new visual effects. I think he is right, 300 would have made a good 3-d movie.

I have a hard time picturing a drama in 3-d being better, but I do remember when I saw polar express in 3-d the slow scenes were enhanced greatly by the 3-d snow which built a nice depth.

By: Captain Awesome

Captain Awesome — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:50:12 +0000

Lloyd,

That’s why they have shit factories in Hollywood producing Aliens Vs. Predator and the thousands of blue-tinted horror movies to fill in the time until the goods hit the theatres.

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:36:28 +0000

I never believe a thing James says, he takes forever. His next movie will come out when everyone is dead.

By: Captain Awesome

Captain Awesome — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:29:09 +0000

I’m glad he’s returned to sci-fi. The genre has sucked for a long time now and it’s been turned into a saturday morning WWE cartoon. And hearing news of Ridley Scott working on a new sci-fi film has me in grins aswell.

As for Battle Angel, I was all for it. But if he decides to drop it. That’s fine by me too. I like that he takes the time to create his own stuff.

By: Enrique

Enrique — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:15:07 +0000

Didn’t Cameron once say he’d never again work on movies he didn’t conceive? Did he change his mind when he signed onto Alita or did he forget he had said that and is now distancing himself from Alita?

By: orange cinema

orange cinema — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:11:52 +0000

nah, i’m not feeling the current 3D rage at all, especially in dramas. if 3D emphasises the point of a scene, or accents a moment - sure why not. but the porno eye candy i can live without.

BUT, cameron is a smart guy and i’ll always listen to what’s on his mind, and watch what he’s putting out. who knows, he may even convert this skeptic.