Is it just me or is every major animated theatrical release in 3-D these days? It seems like every time a trailer comes on TV, I’m just waiting for the ending where they tell me that it will be 3-D. I have to admit, I have only ever seen ONE movie in 3-D and it was Open Season. Exactly. Although I don’t doubt that these films are great, and especially when the viewer is immersed in the world, but MUST they be in three dimensions?

Naturally, I googled 3D movie to see what would come up. I came across a handy list that shows many (if not all) movies that have been released in 3-D.

2009

According to the list, check out how many have been (or will be) released just this year:

AVATAR

Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Toy Story 2 in 3D

Toy Story in 3D

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Final Destination: Death Trip 3D (aka: Final Destination 4) (aka: The Final Destination)

X Games 3D

G-Force

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Al’s Brain: a 3D Journey through the Human Brain with Weird Al Yankovic

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (aka: Ice Age 3)

Up

Battle for Terra (pre-release title: Terra)

Monsters vs Aliens

Bob the Builder in 4D

Jonas Brothers – The 3D Concert Experience

Under the Sea 3D (production title: Deep Sea-quel 3D)

Coraline

My Bloody Valentine 3D

Rotten or Fresh Tomato?

In case you didn’t count them all, there are 19 movies in that list. I’m not against the format, per se, but in some cases it feels like it tries to compensate for a less-than-awesome story or premise. Let’s have a look at the ratings, shall we?

AVATAR – Not Yet Released

Disney’s A Christmas Carol – Not Yet Released

Toy Story 2 in 3D – Not Listed

Toy Story in 3D – Not Listed

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – 85%

Final Destination: Death Trip 3D (aka: Final Destination 4) (aka: The Final Destination) – 29%

X Games 3D – 38%

G-Force – 24%

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – 83%

Al’s Brain: a 3D Journey through the Human Brain with Weird Al Yankovic – Not Listed

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (aka: Ice Age 3) – 44%

Up – 98%

Battle for Terra (pre-release title: Terra) – 46%

Monsters vs Aliens – 72%

Bob the Builder in 4D – Not Listed

Jonas Brothers – The 3D Concert Experience – 22%

Under the Sea 3D (production title: Deep Sea-quel 3D) – 95%

Coraline – 88%

My Bloody Valentine 3D – 58%

Conclusion

Unsurprisingly, the movies that are the highest rated are those that would be enjoyed even if not in 3D. Those who use the format as a shtick, but fail to produce engaging, cohesive and entertaining movies are not saved by using 3D. Gone are the days where movies show up in 3D with the sole aim of impressing the viewer with exotic or exciting locations (underwater, outer space, race track). Here are the days where strong stories are only made better by making them 3D. Hence the release of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D. Those are great films and can only be made better by offering a three dimensional experience.