During the late 2000s, there was once again a surge of 3D films, this then peaked at the release of Avatar in 2009, since then we’ve watched 3D films die out once again but was this due to disinterest in the trend post-Avatar, or because the quality of 3D films being produced severely lacked any originality?
One genre, in particular, got plenty of use out of the 3D trend, relying on 3D to revitalise their remakes and sequels, this was the horror genre. Very few of these films benefitted from the use of 3D, in fact, it’s hard to find any at all that were made better by 3D. Two 3D films that I particularly enjoyed most had to be Patrick Lussier’s 2009 remake of My Bloody Valentine and Craig Gillespie’s 2011 remake of Fright Night. Now, in my opinion, they’re both brilliant remakes, true to the originals but they still carry their own stories instead of being word for word remakes, but at the same time, I don’t think either of these films benefitted from being released in 3D, nor did their 3D release disadvantage them in any way.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for films like Texas Chainsaw 3D, The Final Destination, Final Destination 5, or Saw 3D (Also known as Saw: The Final Chapter or Saw VII). Despite the popularity of 3D film at the time, none of these films have aged well in the way we view them today, which is most typically in 2D. Instead of having interesting, well-developed storylines, it’s become increasingly clear that they were all attempts at cashing in on the post-Avatar 3D phenomenon and this sadly had a negative effect on them as they’re not as enjoyable to watch in comparison to My Bloody Valentine or Fright Night. Whether this is because they’re all from tiresome franchises that needed to be laid to rest long ago, or because their 3D effects have not at all aged well over the last 13 years, either way, they’re not exactly films you’re itching to re-watch over and over again.
It’s clear to see when watching some of these films back in 2D where attention to detail and plot have been so blatantly disregarded and instead replaced with a fun 3D gimmick that hasn’t translated well over the last 13 years, now that the trend has died down. Instead, we see violent, bloody shot after shot that’s so clearly made to look as though it’s being thrown in your face for shock value instead of having a genuinely gripping and entertaining story to keep you intrigued. This quickly gets old and becomes increasingly frustrating when not watching within that cinema experience.
No one’s saying that 3D films are awful, or that they shouldn’t make a comeback any time soon, but instead, that they should focus on their storytelling, using the 3D to enhance the film instead of using it as a complete replacement for any actual storytelling. Having a scary weapon thrown towards the tip of your nose is no substitute for an actual well-developed plot. Personally, I’m all for a resurgence of 3D horror, but this time I’d like to see it done with more creativity and effort put into the storytelling and acting.
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