Despite many production companies’ failed attempts at 3-D movie success, studios are continuing to re-release films for 3-D viewing.
After the 3-D re-release of “The Lion King” in September 2011 raked in $94 million at the box office, according to FoxNews.com, Disney decided to continue putting 3-D glasses on old favorites. “Beauty and the Beast” was released again in 3-D on Jan. 13 and has grossed $41 million at the box office thus far.
Walt Disney Animated Studios has also announced plans to re-release “Finding Nemo” this September, “Monsters Inc.” in January 2013 and “The Little Mermaid” in September of 2013.
Disney is not the only movie production company cashing in on the 3-D trend. On Feb. 10, 20th Century Fox is bringing box office giant “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” to 3-D screens.
It is no mystery why companies like Disney and 20th Century Fox are continuing to bring these timeless classics back to the big screen, and inevitably more 3-D releases are to follow. The movie industry has been struggling as of late, and these 3-D re-releases are a simple cash cow project to boost revenue.
However, 3-D technology as a whole seems to be on the fast track to obscurity. Many of the most recent 3-D films have seen an increasing number of audience members requesting non-3-D viewings. Several of the last major 3-D film releases, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Cars 2,” saw less than 40 percent of their earnings come from 3-D viewings.
In 2009, James Cameron’s “Avatar” earned more than 80 percent of its profits from 3-D audiences. Recent trends show more and more customers opting out of 3-D glasses to view the movies in 2-D.
According to FoxNews.com, customers are turning down 3-D because of higher costs, lower production quality and even physical problems caused by wearing 3-D glasses. The average 3-D movie costs about $13, whereas a 2-D movie runs about $9. Moviegoers also complain about poor lighting and lower quality during 3-D movies. Many customers have even claimed that wearing 3-D glasses is giving them headaches.
Some Harding students said they are unimpressed by 3-D movie experiences as well.
“I don’t understand the whole 3-D movie thing,” senior Davis Weeks said. “The glasses are uncomfortable, and most of the time the animations are cheesy or unnecessary. I find the whole experience to be underwhelming.”
Cost continues to factor in college students’ movie selections.
“Why would I spend 13 bucks on a 3-D movie when I could see the exact same movie for 9?” junior Blake Hunter said. “Obviously 3-D movies are just to make money, and the glasses make my head hurt.”
Whether you are a fan of 3-D or not, rest assured there are many more to come. Too many studios see the example of Disney’s profitable re-releases and won’t be able to resist. Perhaps there might even be “The Sound of Music” in 3-D.
