The Lasting Effects of 3D Films

Star Wars Episode I in 3D

With the advances in technology, it’s no wonder that 3D technology has made its way back onto the big screen for round three. Roger Ebert said, “3D doesn’t work and never will. Case closed.” Will the 3D trend in films stay for good?

There is a growing concern that 3D films can cause physical harm to its viewers. The growing complaints of side effects from 3D movies are eyestrain, headaches, dizziness, confusion, convulsions, and blackouts. There is a claim that people who have medical conditions and women who are pregnant are more likely to have these side effects. Why did Josh James, a perfectly healthy eighteen-year-old, blackout while driving home after watching a 3D film? What causes these symptoms?  Professor Martin Banks, a California optometrist, explained that when you are looking at an object, “you converge and focus your eyes to the same distance. But with 3D, you may have to converge your eyes to one distance while focusing on another [object]. So with 3D films you’re taking that normal relationship which has been in your brain for years, and changing it.”  The effect confuses the brain causing you to experience symptoms of motion sickness and other problems.

Your Brain in 3D

Its been said that 3D movies offer a more intense experience than 2D movies. L. Mark Carrier of California University conducted a study of 400 filmgoers to determine if 3D films offered a better experience than 2D films. He asked the participants to watch one of three films – Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, and How to Train Your Dragon – in either 2D or 3D.  Afterward, the participants were requested to detail their responses using a list of 60 words ranging from mild to intense. The results were that 3D movies do not offer any more enjoyment than 2D movies.

According to Boxofficequant.com, 3D movies’ profits are easier to predict than 2D movies. Due to large budgets, 3D films make appropriately the same investment returns causing them to be less risky and more attractive. I doubt 3D movies will go away anytime soon.

Are the side effects of the 3D movie worth watching the film? In my personal opinion, my answer is no.  Call me cheap, but I don’t see the point in paying an extra four to five dollars to see a movie that doesn’t enhance my experience, and can cause me to have headaches, dizziness, convulsions, and/or blackouts resulting in me ending up in the doctor’s office or the emergency room. I don’t like having to wear the special 3D glasses to view the film. People who wear prescription glasses will have to place these special plastic glasses over their prescription glasses, and I imagine it’s not very comfortable. Then you have to return them. You pay the extra four to five dollars and don’t get to keep the glasses as a souvenir. In the eighties and nineties, you got to keep the paper glasses and you didn’t have to pay extra for anything. I’m still trying to figure out how people see anything out of those glasses. I’m not saying that I will never go see a 3D film. When technology has advanced to the point that I can see a 3D movie without any side effects and having to wear special glasses, then I will consider watching a 3D film. Until that time, I’m happy watching and getting lost in a good old fashion 2D movie.