3D Is a Required Tool to Tell DOCTOR STRANGE’s Dimensional Story
For the most part, I think 3D is just a gimmick to get audiences to pay more money to see a movie. However, sometimes a movie comes along that actually requires 3D to help tell a story. One of the most recent movies that fell into this category was Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk. The 3D used in that was 100% a tool to move the story forward and help engulf the audience in the story that was being told.
3D can be a powerful tool when used correctly, but not many filmmakers do. Most studios just want the 3D conversion done for the extra cash. According to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, director Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange will be using 3D to help tell their “dimensional story.” If you saw the Comic-Con trailer for the film, you can see how insane the effects are and how using 3D will actually make it more of a wild ride for fans.
I think the 3D used in pretty much every Marvel film up until this point has been pointless. Feige talked to Collider about using 3D in the film, saying:
“Some people look at 3D like a tool, like Atmos or IMAX, it’s a storytelling tool. And sometimes it can feel like ‘Oh, that tool was simply put on that movie so they could charge $8 more. And I think that’s where you get reactions like ‘Oh, c’mon.” There are other movies like Guardians [of the Galaxy] and Doctor Strange, that will be utterly enhanced in 3D. There are sequences of the film that 3D is actually necessary to tell the dimensional story that is happening, through visuals. And we’re now finding ourselves in VFX reviews going, ‘Okay we know this is perfect for 3D, this is built for 3D, but the stories gotta work in 2D so how do we adjust it so it still works in 2D?’ But the 3D is going to be amazing.”
I have yet to see anything from Doctor Strange in 3D, but I can’t wait to see what that experience is like! Feige goes on to say that in the coming weeks there will be a 3D version of that Comic-Con trailer screening in theaters.
It'd be nice if more filmmakers would just use 3D as a storytelling tool, and if the film doesn’t need it, then not use it. At this point, the filmmakers aren’t really even involved with the 3D conversion process, though. Most of the time it’s just something a studio does because it's now a part of the assembly line of making tentpole films, and that kinda sucks.
I’m excited for Doctor Strange, and I’m excited to see how the 3D enhances the story and gives the audience more of a surreal experience. The movie hits theaters on November 4th.