Baz Luhrmann, the Australian director known for films such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge,” has decided to make his next project a film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, “The Great Gatsby.” This classic novel has already been brought to the big screen three times: first in 1926 as a silent film, then in 1949, and in 1974, which starred Robert Redford and was directed by Jack Clayton.

Luhrmann’s version adds something previous versions failed to deliver: the entire film will be shot in 3-D. Today, it seems that no matter what kind of movie we are seeing, everything seems to be shot in 3-D, whether it is necessary or not. Has Hollywood just become obsessed with 3-D, or does every movie we are seeing actually need to be shot in 3-D?

Over the past twenty to thirty years, if a film was in 3-D, there was a reason for it. A certain scene would leap out, and blow you away. Now, ever since James Cameron’s “Avatar,” it seems everything we see should be in 3-D. I have discovered certain moviegoers don’t mind the fact the many films are being produced in 3-D. What bothers most people is the amount of money it costs to watch these films.

They are more expensive than a traditional 2-D film. Is this is all just a fad? In movie history, beginning with sound, moviegoers said it was just a fad, and it wouldn’t last. Then the same thing happened with color. Maybe this is just the next step in the evolution of motion pictures.

According to 3DTV Blog, one person said that they are just trying to get people to get used to the idea of 3-D. When color first came out, they still made black and white films for years. He also believes that less than ten percent of movies will actually be in 3-D. Hollywood has tried 3-D numerous times, mainly in the 1950s and 1980s, but it never took off.

It just seemed to be a novelty. So why do they think it’s going to work this time? One of the reasons some moviegoers mentioned for the push into 3-D is that these movies can make more money at the box office because of the increase in prices people need to pay to watch these films.

A lot of fans are outraged at the decision to make “The Great Gatsby” in 3-D, and feel it’s a marketing tool to boost ticket sales. David Calhoun, the film editor, said his heart sank when he heard this movie was in 3-D. It is a dramatic period piece set in a time alcohol was banned in the United States.

Where is the logic behind filming it in 3-D – having Gatsby’s hat poking out of the screen, or Daisy’s necklace floating before your eyes? There should be more time spent on developing the story than on special effects, which are minimal.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/25102305@N03/

The article The Great Gatsby in 3D – Is This Necessary? appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.