I am not quite sure when or how, but 3D movies have made an astonishing come back. They were hot stuff back in the late 70s and early 80s. Just about everything coming out was in "out of this world 3D". Even Jaws 3 got in on the action (not its best decision ever, but still better than Jaws the Revenge). But in the past two years major films have been investing in the three-dimensional adventures. Little movies here and there have been dabbling in it, Spy Kids and the like, but mainstream blockbusters are really getting into the craze. I know ol' George Lucas is ramping up to convert his original Star Wars trilogy into 3D. In fact he announced that process a few years ago and may have been a catalyst for others to start getting into it. Like him or not, he is a film trendsetter.

Me, I am not totally sold on it yet, mostly because I think it will end up being another movie trend fad, but I'm not dismissing it completely. Something tells me it might not be going away this time, and 3D might be the new standards for television (but I am still waiting to see how it all pans out. I don't want to look like some sort of Beta Max fool). High Def 3D televisions are very impressive and looks like will eventually become the standard. Check out this Times Online Article about it. It is very informative and makes you wish you had one.

Any way, James Cameron seems to be getting in on the 3D action with his newest film out December 18th of this year, Avatar. He's been gone for nearly 12 years but apparently has been very busy. Apparently he has had the idea for this movie but has been waiting for the technology to catch up to his vision...Sound familiar...hmm *cough* George Lucas and the prequels *cough*.

Footage for this film has been pretty scarce until more recently, but all the reports for it are coming back phenomenal. I mean reviews to the tune of, your eyeballs are going to melt out of your head the effects are so impressive. And that is why we are very much in support of this film. Special effects have always been a big deal with me, and I am a sucker for them. I have been to many films in the theaters regardless of their quality because of impressive VFX. I'll admit that some of my blu-rays were bought, just because I wanted to see how the effects looked in HD. Let me tell you, even bad movies are better on blu-ray (that's just me).

Back to Avatar. It's about a crippled ex-marine who finds himself caught in the middle of hostilities on an alien planet. Through the technology of avatars (see what they did there) he is able to transport his thoughts and movements into an alien body, allowing him the ability to walk again. He gets caught between the two opposing sides and war ensues. I am excited. I want to see Cameron do a balls to the wall CGI filled war. I think he can pull it off, possibly with more success than even Peter Jackson did with Rings.

Cameron utilizes 3D but thankfully not in the overt things being thrown at the camera sort of way. It is a more subtle use of the technology integrated into the scenery and backdrops of the film. Imagine seeing alien flora and fauna seeming to hang over from your theater screen as if you are walking right behind the actors, and you'll start to get the idea.

For this brilliant innovative use of old technology I am encouraging people to support this movie fully. I know what you're thinking, you saw the rather lack-luster trailer like I did but don't base it off that. Make sure you view it on an HD resolution, and remember not all these effects are completely finished.

Cameron is trying something different and using the exceptional Weta Digital to do it. I applaud the effort and hope the payoff is well worth it. If nothing else support it because James Cameron probably isn't going to do anything for another decade and is going to need money to hold him over until then. I mean, that Titanic money has to be running dry by now...right?

-DLZ

Pulled this from my Solid Studios (film company) blog site where I have tons of other film related blogs. Feel free to check it out at Solid Studios Blogs.