3D Judging Categories

I have developed 5 simple categories upon which I assess the quality of 3D in movies. Some of these were adopted from a section in the Cinema Blend website. I have modified and localized them for Singaporeans and Asians alike. Each category is given a score out of 5. The total score, out of 25, will determine if you should or shouldn't watch the movie in 3D.

1. Suited for 3D?

This refers to the relevance and '3D fit' of the movie. If the the 3D elements don't add value to the content of the film, there is no point of the movie being in 3D in the first place. Compare a slow romance drama set in the suburbs, and a fast-paced action thriller set in a mountainous area. Maybe not the best best example, but you get the idea.

2. Filmed for 3D?
This refers to the amount of thought and effort that was put into making the film 3D worthy. Is it shot with 3D in mind? Or is it a post-conversion hack job with only a few good 3D effects? Post-conversion occurs when a movie is filmed in 2D and later converted to 3D. You guessed it! The 3D effects are far less impressive than movies that are shot in 3D with actual 3D cameras and planning.

3. Closed Window Experience

3D should give depth to a movie. It should provide you with an immersive experience that makes you feel as though you are watching real life events unfolding before you. But the action stops at the movie screen, which acts as a closed window, shielding you from the events taking place behind the screen. The greater the depth, the better and perhaps more realistic the 3D effect looks.

4. Open Window Experience

As opposed to closed window, an open window removes the movie screen as a barrier between movie and audience. This allows for objects to come flying at your face or poke out of the screen. This makes the movie feel even more three-dimensional. Some find this aspect of 3D gimmicky, others, including me, love it!

5. The Naked-Eye Test

What is the point of watching a 3D movie if you can watch it just fine without the 3D glasses? A good test of the 3D in a movie is the picture quality when you watch it without the 3D glasses (naked eye). The blurrier the picture, the better the 3D effect! Why? Because the 3D glasses do more to correct the blur and this churns out better looking 3D images most of the time. [For those who are wondering, the blur is caused by 3D formatting that is an overlay of the same image. Each lens on our 3D glasses, right and left, correct the image in different visual waves that provides our eyes with the illusion of seeing something three dimensional. This is a very basic explanation of a much more complex process.]

Total Score

0 - 14	Wise man once said… DON’T DO IT!
15-19	If you have extra cash to blow… sure
20-25	You have my Blessings!