Ever since 3D presentation returned to movie theaters a decade ago, the format has seen mixed results. The 2009 film Avatar, which was filmed entirely in 3D using a newly developed camera system, set new heights for how immersive a movie could be on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film ever. However, in the six-and-a-half years since then, no movie has really utilized the technology in a way that surpasses what Avatar was able to do. But there may be a new contender in Disney's latest film, which looks viually stunning. So, should you watch Alice Through the Looking Glass in 3D?
Generally speaking, how good a movie's 3D effects are depends on how the movie was filmed. Typically, movies filmed natively in 3D, with 3D cameras, tend to look better than movies that are filmed in 2D and then converted to 3D after filming. Avatar was filmed in native 3D, as was this year's The Jungle Book , which drew raves for its immersive world; as well as a few comparisons to Avatar . Alice Through the Looking Glass, however, was not filmed in native 3D. The movie was produced using traditional 2D cameras, meaning that the 3D effects in the film are of the inferior up-converted type.
Another point against seeing the film in 3D comes from the site Cinema Blend. They have a points system where they score a film's 3D-worthiness using seven different criteria, with the highest possible total score being a 35. Alice Through the Looking Glass scored a 23. By comparison, The Jungle Book notched a score of 31. However, Looking Glass's director, James Bobin, claims that 3D plays a very important role in the film. "If anything is going to lend itself to 3D it's a world as big as Underland," Bobin told Steve Weintraub of Collider. "I think this movie offers the opportunity for some amazing stuff with [3D], which is great, because that's not the case with everything." It sounds like Bobin took the time to make sure the movie has a satisfying 3D experience.
So should you see Alice Through the Looking Glass in 3D? It depends on whom you ask. The director certainly thinks you should, while some reviewers disagree. Ultimately, if you're really curious then you'll just have to see it in 3D and decide for yourself whether it was worth it or not.
Images: Walt Disney Pictures; Giphy
