Movie in 3D

Transformers 3 3D review

The final instalment of Transformers 3 comes with pretty much the same cast as the other two movies, the most noticeable replacement being Megan Fox who was fired by Steven Spielberg himself (movie producer), Fox substitute playing the girl to fall in love with is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a former lingerie model who won’t win an Oscar for her acting skills in the film but does just fine in her paper,other new actors include John Malkovich, Alan Tudyk, Ken Jeong and Frances McDormand.

Transformers 3 will keep you entertained throughout the entire movie, with a basic, but coherent, plot, it is filled with witty goofy gags, bigger and better robots, Chicago as a war setting makes for a nice change since most Hollywood films seem to choose NY or LA nowadays. The film is packed with special effects, the CGI 3D visuals of this film are impeccable, everything looked awesome and it helps boost your adrenaline and sensory experience, definitely go for the 3D version of this film you will be blown away by its flawless rendering with amazing stunning visuals and sound, the special effect scenes go non stop until the end, I have not watched something so spectacular in 3D since Avatar, this is a hell of a Summer movie.

Was Transformers 3 shot in real 3D?

It is hard to say if this could be called a real 3D film, most of Transformers Dark of the Moon was shot in real 3D but some scenes, mostly close ups, requiring a high definition image that 3D cameras could not provide were filmed in 35mm in slow motion and converted to 3D in post production, 35mm cameras were also used for scenes where using 3D cameras was too heavy or exposed them to damage, overall, Transformers 3 was filmed in real 3D for about 70% of the film.

Synopsis:  The evil Decepticons learn of a mysterious event from the past involving the space race in between the US and the Soviet Union that could help them to avenge their last defeat and destroy the Autobots with their human friends, a ferocious breakneck battle race starts to reach a hidden secret weapon that could mean the end of mankind.

Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Tyrese Gibson
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Written By: Ehren Kruger
Runtime: 157min.
Rated: PG-13

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Cars 2 3D review

A Pixar Animation Studios film distributed by Walt Disney, Cars 2 (2011) is the sequel to the successful Cars (2006) film involving much of the original cast, (out of respect for Paul Newman, who died in 2008, the Doc Hudson character does not appear in the film) this animated film is full of comedy action with lots of automotive puns, it appears geared towards young kids, Nascar fans might still like to watch it, and parents will not feel specially entertained, unlike the first part, Cars 2 fails to create complicity in between the characters and the audience, the story and script seem to have been put together in a week.

This CGI animated film seems to have been created just to pull money out of the success of Cars part 1 without placing too much effort into it, Cars 2 does not live up to the expectations it is definitely worse than the first part and one of the worst Pixar films, the 3D version of Cars 2 does not improve it excessively, besides some firewall explosions and awesome rendering of skylines and cities there isn’t much that justifies paying extra to watch this film in 3D, it sure enhances the experience but it does not produce enough WoW factors that make it a must see in 3D film, to top it up the film has a slight anti-oil and pro environment message which is not even appropriate for a car racing story and hypocritical from a company, Disney, who to be the best of my knowledge does not use recycled materials to produce Cars 2 merchandising.

It has been released too a Cars 2 soundtrack, with songs written and composed by Michael Giacchino, and a video game with the same name published by Disney Interactive Studios, the PlayStation 3 game of Cars 2 is compatible with 3D gameplay, the soundtrack is available in CD and digital download.

Synopsis: Star race Lightning McQueen and sidekick Mater leave small town Radiator Springs to compete in the World Grand Prix race leading them to travel around the world, they both get embroiled in an international espionage plot and find themselves torn in between winning the race and assisting in a top secret mission.

Director: John Lasseter & Brad Lewis
Scriptwriters: Ben Queen, John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, and Dan Fogelman
Voices: Owen Wilson (McQueen), Michael Caine (Finn McMissile), Lloyd Scherr (Fillmore)
Runtime: 113 minutes
MPAA Rating: G (General)

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Green Lantern Marvel origins

Based on the long running comic books published by DC Comics,the first Green Lantern hero appeared in All-American Comics number 16, published in 1940. After War World II and a comic books sales slump DC Comics stopped publishing new adventures of the Green Lantern, the comic series were revived in 1950, since then there has been some cancellations and revivals with irregular issues being published, Green Lantern comic books were still being release in 2010 with further issues planned.

There has also been a Green Lantern videogame released a week before the film, it is called Rise of the Manhunters, available for the XBox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, DS, and 3DS.

Is the Green Lantern worth to watch in 3D?

The representation of space in Green Lantern 3D is mind blowing, utterly incredible special effects, making it worthwhile to watch in 3D, a classic hero’s tale heavy in action, full of fights, strange aliens, explosions and shootings with a small degree of humour, immeasurable fantasy that is best enjoyed watching the characters and planets 3D depth, specially the aliens and the explosions surrounding the viewer.

Be aware that although this film is being heavily marketed on its 3D version, it actually was not shot in real 3D, many studios are not being upfront with the public about this, according to Screenrant, the Green Lantern was converted to 3D in post-production, there is a difference in quality in between films shot in 3D and films converted to 3D but I still think that the Green Lantern is worth to watch in 3D because of the special effects, I just wish the producers would be straight forward about a film not having been shot in 3D instead of skipping over the issue as if it didn’t matter.

Synopsis: The Green Lantern Corps is a centuries old organisation sworn to protect intergalactic order, they use a power ring to project an energetic green light that turns thoughts into reality. When a new enemy called Parallax threatens the balance of power in the Universe, The Green Lantern Corps see themselves forced to recruit a human to join their warrior’s brotherhood, this new recruit will find himself with a never imagined power in his hands and a colossal responsibility, saving the Universe.

Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong
Genres: Sci-Fi/Action/Adventure
Runtime: 1hr 45min
Rated: PG-13

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Animated family friendly 3D film

This computer generated martial arts action comedy film is the sequel to DreamWorks 2008 film Kung Fu Panda, full of emotional characterization surpassing the first film, the animation is next to perfect, the scenery, buildings, cities and interiors are all very detailed and colourful. The scripting, like the first part is funny and witty, and the action brings excitement, Kung Fu Panda 2 is even better than the first part, the story is as touching and the 3D animated effects bonds you with the characters even more, a brilliant sequel that kids and adults will equally love, I could not think of a better film for an all family cinema night.

Kung Fu Panda 2 inception had 3D in mind from day one and it paid off, it is worth to pay the extra money to see the sense the depth in the cities of ancient China in 3D, the green forests and the objects leaping out from the screen in the choreographed dynamic fight sequences, this film had $150 million budget, already recovered at the box office, and growing.

Kung Fu Panda 2 voices: Jack Black (Po), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Dustin Hoffman (Master Sifu), Lucy Liu (Viper), Jean Claude Damme (Master Croc)

Synopsis: Now known as the Dragon Warrior Po and protector of the Valley of Peace alongside his friends, the Panda comes across a dangerous villain threatening to use a secret weapon to conquer China, the encounter with this villain provokes Po some flashbacks as an infant panda cub, in order to defeat the new enemy, Po must recall all of his past and unlock the secrets of his mysterious origins.

Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Writters: Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger
Runtime: 95 minutes
Rating: PG

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Action film shot in real 3D

Drive Angry is an action packed movie shot in real 3D, it has a very similar plot to that of Ghost Rider (2007), where a Hell’s escapee goes onto create havoc on Earth, in both films Nicolas Cage plays the fugitive from Hell character, the paper suits him very well, caustic humour scenes, lots of action and a pretty female sidekick (Amber Heard), Drive Angry action starts at the first minutes and lasts until the end, non-stop.

There is nothing on this movie making it stand out from the crowd, just what you can expect from any Nicolas Cage action film, lots of shooting and cynical humour, I would call it entertaining for the average public and quite enjoyable for action movie fans but I would not go out of my way to watch it, I don’t see this film winning any kind of award.

The 3D version of Drive Angry produces a crystal-clear picture with very little eye strain, I didn’t think that the special effects were worth the extra money that a 3D film costs, only the more in-depth explosions and big firewalls can justify it.

Synopsis: Melon (Nicolas Cage) escapes from Hell to avenge his daughter’s murder and rescue her kidnapped granddaughter from a band of cult worshipping savages. A beautiful young woman, Piper, joins him along the way to pursue their path to redemption while being chased by a killer sent by the devil to retrieve Melon and send him back to Hell.

Director: Patrick Lussier
Writers: Todd Farmer, Patrick Lussier
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard and William Fichtner
Length: 104 minutes
Rating: R-rating (strong violence, sexual content, nudity)
Cars diven by Nicolas Cage in the film: 1964 Buick Riviera, 1969 Dodge Charger and a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

Drive Angry 3D official homepage

Pirates of the Caribbean 3D film

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is shot in 3D, it is not a converted movie, the film is being released in Disney Digital 3-D, IMAX 3D and the traditional 2D. This is the first Pirates of the Caribbean film where fictional characters are based on real life historical figures, the pirate Blackbeard, George II of Great Britain, Henry Pelham and Ferdinand VI of Spain they have all existed for real.

An action packed adventure 3D film under the direction of Rob Marshall, the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Disney announced that Depp has been paid $55.5 million to return, Penélope Cruz as “Captain Jack’s equal”, Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa, Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mermaid, Stephen Graham as “Scram” and Sam Claflin as “Philip, a youthful missionary”.

Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides was shot simultaneously in Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, on the island of Palomino, and Los Angeles, California, the soundtrack was composed by Eric Whitacre with Hans Zimmer (second and third film soundtrack composer) and Whitacre’s wife, Hila Plitmann.

Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga will love this film, there isn’t anything new that would push people to watch it otherwise, I found this film as good as the last three ones, with nothing exceptionally better or worse, more adventures, more fantasy, more humorous, beautifully shot scenes and spectacular fun for the whole family.

Synopsis: Captain Jack Sparrow  unexpectedly meets an old female friend, she unconventionally convinces him to get aboard of the legendary Blackbeard pirate ship to start a quest in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth, they will later discover that captain Hector Barbossa is after said fountain too on behalf of the King of England.

Technichal details:
Director: Rob Marshall
Writers: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane
Music: Eric Whitacre, Hila Plitmann, Hans Zimmer
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 137 minutes

Pirates of the Caribbean official website

3D superhero epic film

Thor is a hammer wielding Norse god (German paganism) associated with thunder, based on this background, Marvel created a fictional comic hero character, finally adapted for the big screen, Thor in 3D.

Thor the film delivers all of the goods you can expect from an epic movie, a credible storyline, intrigue going on from minute one until the end of the movie, twisted turns during the whole movie keeping viewers on the edge, action, and love, I did find Natalie Portman role in the movie to be low level thought, the romance part of Thor the movie could have been improved, the rest of the plot in Thor the film rivals Superman and the Iron Man, anyone who likes super heroes movies will be happy it went to watch it.

The movie visual effects are stunning, the reproduction of the realm of Asgard is outstanding, with fine high towers and beautiful space landscapes that are a pleasure to watch, however I did not see any specific special effect in Thor 3D movie that justifies paying more to see the 3D effects, you will enjoy it the same in 2D.

Synopsis: The arrogant and powerful warrior Thor, son of Odin, recklessly pushes his people to the brink of war against old enemies, his father castes him out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sends Thor to live amongst humans on Earth where Thor soon becomes one of their finest defenders.

Technical details:
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Written By: Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman
Running Time: 1 hr. 55 min.
Rated: PG-13

Thor movie official website

Priest 3D film (2011)

Overall impression: Priest (2011) film is an adaptation of the Korean comic with the same name (프리스트), the film has elements of horror, action and science fiction, amazing special effects, the vampires that appear in the film look very realistic and have been fully computer generated since they had to move quickly, the film is graphical but rated PG-13 not a full gore movie, details like blood has been toned down a little to keep it tasteful, assuming ripping a vampire into pieces can be called tasteful, the director managed to make the thrill last until the end, keeping the audience wondering what dangerous monster is coming up next and if Priest will ever succeed in his quest.

Pries first entered in development in 2005, it changed release dates numerous times to convert the film from 2D to 3D, scheduled for the premier in Canada, the US, Russia and most European countries in May 2011, the release date for Australia and Scandinavian countries has been scheduled for August 2011.

Synopsis: Set in an apocalyptic world ravaged by centuries of war in between man and vampires, a legendary Warrior Priest from the last Vampire War (Paul Bettany) is now retired living a quite life. When his niece (Lily Collins of “The Blind Side”) is kidnapped by a pack of vampires , Priest breaks his sacred vows to try to find her before she is converted into a vampire, he is joined in the adventure by his niece’s boyfriend (“Twilight”‘s Cam Gigandet), a young sheriff and a former Warrior Priestess of formidable fighting skills (“Nikita”‘s Maggie’s Q).

Technichal details:
Director: Scott Charles Stewart
Writers: Cory Goodman, Min-Woo Hyung (graphic novel series “Priest”)
Starring: Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q, Karl Urban, Brad Dourif, Stephen Moyer, Christopher Plummer, Alan Dale, Mädchen Amick, Jacob Hopkins, Dave Florek, Joel Polinsky, Josh Wingate and Jon Braver
Music: Christopher Young
Runtime: 87 min
Rating: PG-13

Priest Film Official website

Rio (2011) 3D film

Synopsis: Rio is comical crazy animated 3D comedy that starts with a rare exotic blue macaw natural from Brasil named Blu taken to Minnesota where he grows up and is domesticated by a shy bookstore owner called Linda.

Years later an ornithologist will identify the macaw as the last male of his species and convince the owner, Linda, to fly with Blu to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil so that he can mate with a wild female macaw named Jewel and ensure the survival of his kind, that is where things will start to get complicated.

Review:Rio is a film from the makers of Ice Age, highly visual and colourful with rhythmic music and dancing, most of the film settings happen in Brazil, with a very typical Brazilian scenery, loose summer clothing, beaches, traditional Brazilian songs mixed up with contemporary tunes of artists like Jamie Foxx.

The vivid soundtrack greatly enhanced the story as it moves along, if you watch Rio in 3D you will also appreciate a constant barrage of birds flying towards the audience, the kids will probably love this, not sure about the adults, Rio story plot isn’t as clever as Ice Age but it is entertaining and the visual effects are better, a predictable animated film  with brilliant animated graphics and refreshing music, it is not a must a see movie but you will not regret having paid for the cinema ticket if you do.

Rio is released on 8th April in the UK and 15th April in the USA

Director: Carlos Saldanha
Producers: John C. Donkin, Bruce Anderson and Chris Wedge
Music: John Powell
Studio: Blue Sky Studio
Film Length: 1 Hour and 36 Minutes

Rio the movie official website

The Green Hornet is an action packed film full of laughs but it fails to match other more well known films in the genre, such as The A-Team or Spiderman, in The Green Hornet you will find lots of explosions, shootings and fights, let down a little by its poor, at sometimes nonsensical, script, other than that The Green Hornet remains likeable, without the WOW factor but entertaining.

The Green Hornet Blu-Ray 3D release will come out on May 3rd with a combo pack including a 3D disc, Blu-ray disc, and a DVD disc, the 3D Blu-ray disc in the pack includes the feature film in 3D, 3D Animated Storyboard Comparisons, and film-maker commentary. You might enjoy this film more if you are already familiar with The Green Hornet TV Series from 1966–1967, or the comic books based on the same character and still published until recently by Dynamite Enterntainment.

Synopsis: The son of one of Los Angeles most prominent media magnates inherits the business after his dad passes away, striking an unlikely friendship with one of his dad’s closest employee, Kato, interpreted by Chinese pop star Jay Chou, he sees an opportunity in Kato’s weaponry building skills and decides to give a new meaning to his life by becoming an anonymous costumed crime fighter with a sidekick.

Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Seth Rogen, Christoph Waltz, Edward Furlong, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos, Jay Chou, David Harbour, Chad Coleman, Robert Clotworthy
Director: Michel Gondry

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