[via /Film]
Not too long ago, I posted a few blurbs from an article detailing how the newest Harry Potter films – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2 – weren’t going to be converted into the 3D format as was originally planned. I praised Warner Bros. for their realization that 3D wasn’t a necessity, and that perhaps the monumental blockbusters that are the final Harry Potter films would do just fine without a 3D post-production conversion being forced upon them. Well, it turns out I was totally wrong, because /Film is reporting that not only are the final two Harry Potter movies getting 3D conversions after all, but the previous two are as well! Here’s a snippet from the article:
But 3D is still in Potter’s future. The Potter films have had partial 3D renders in the past for IMAX releases, and a 3D version of the second part of Deathly Hallows will be released next year. But there’s more: the four David Yates films in the series will be converted to 3D for a Blu-ray release, with the work done by the same company that converted Clash of the Titans.
Wow. I honestly can’t think of a worse idea. I’m not the only person on the web who praised Warner Bros. for their decision not to converted Deathly Hallows to 3D, and this sudden 180 degree turnaround is a slap in the face to all of us who thought Warner Bros. might have some artistic integrity. But no, they’re doing the 3D thing, tacked on after the fact and by the same company that converted Clash of the Titans – another horrible choice, because if you look at reviews of Clash of the Titans, you’ll find that the sloppy 3D conversion on that movie was one of critics’ biggest gripes. Which is saying something, because that movie was pretty bad to begin with!
Now, please don’t get me wrong. I love 3D when it’s done well. Avatar may have had a cliched story, but the 3D effects were breathtaking! And I will admit that I am actually looking forward to seeing Jackass 3D this weekend, because it was shot in 3D and I bet it’ll be hilarious. But post-converted 3D just does not work. Either it’s too subtle and therefore unnoticeable, or it’s awful and too noticeable. Seriously, people: if you’re going to make a 3D movie, make it in 3D. Post-conversion just does not work.