Movies: How to Train Your Dragon – IMAX 3D

I went to see How to Train Your Dragon in IMAX 3D yesterday, down in Hooksett. I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to see this in the theater for the 3D, or wait until it’s released on Blu-Ray and watch it at home. After looking at some reviews, it seemed like the 3D was worth it this time around, unlike with Alice in Wonderland. Let me start off by saying this; every movie does not need to be 3D. I have heard recently of some movies that nobody will care whether or not it is 2D or 3D. Things like Saw VII. Really?!? Do we need to see the traps (which are getting old by the way) in 3D? Piranha 3D (seriously, I think this is a remake of a B-rated horror movie from the 70s or 80s). No need for 3D here either. Those are only two of the horrible ideas being forced upon us over the next couple of years. A longer list is here, 3D movies slated for 2010/2011. Enough ranting. Back to the “review”.

The movie is nothing top complex. It is a kids movie mainly, so the plot is simple, and easy to figure out. Outcast kid, whose father is the big man around the village, befriends dragon, dragon gets captured, drama ensues, boy saves day, everyone is happy. No real spoilers there. Like I said, not complicated. Beyond that though, this movie is awesome. The animation is amazing. At some points, the dragon, “Toothless”, looks almost real, the way they did the skin. The emotion in the face of Toothless, and the other dragons to a lesser degree, conveys what he would say if he could talk. The animated movies that are being made now are amazing. They almost always look awesome, and they all seem to be great to watch. The animated movies and 3D work very well together, generally better than “realistic” movies and 3D. Again, Alice in Wonderland comes to mind.

Once the story starts to move and the main character; Hiccup, and Toothless, are together, it gets to be a very good story. The 3D really is best when they are flying through the mountains or over the water. However, I don’t think that effect was as good as it could have been. At no time did I feel like I was moving over the water. A few times in Avatar I did get that feeling, so it is possible. I think it might be because they, whoever “they” are, did not stretch the 3D effect into the viewer’s face enough. That was the main reason for my next statement; Don’t see this in the theater for the 3D alone. If you have an acceptable home theater, watch it at home.

Overall, the movie is still great. I had fun watching it, and I am sure adults and kids will be happy watching this movie. That is another great thing about the newer animated films. They aren’t just kids movies anymore. Everyone can enjoy these movies. There are references that most kids will not even catch, but their parents will. That’s what makes them so enjoyable now. Not only is the animation much better than what was out when I was little, but they are more fun for everyone involved.

Maybe I’ll come up with some silly rating system to use on the site, until then, I’d say go see it in 2D. If you really want to spend the extra money for 3D, feel free, but don’t expect to be wowed Avatar-style.

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Going back to my previous comments about 3D movies in general. There are a lot of movies that are on the way that seem like a good fit for 3D. The first one to come to mind is Zombieland 2. If only the first one had waited for the 3D craze, it might have been even better than it already is. I don’t have high hopes for the sequel. Let’s face it, sequels suck 90% of the time. A movie like this in 3D, however, could be killer. If you have seen the movie, you probably can see how it’ll work well in 3D. If you haven’t seen the movie, go watch it. You know you like zombie flicks. Everyone does. Some others that sound promising are Clash of the Titans (releasing this week, I think). Tron Legacy (if any movie would work in 3D, it’s Tron), and Toy Story 3 (who wouldn’t want to see the world from that perspective, even if it is animated).

I also saw that the final two Harry Potter movies are in 3D. I really wish they hadn’t done that. The 6th movie had like a minute of 3D during the opening scene, and I feel like they wasted a lot of budget and time on something they could have used for more important parts from the book. The part they made 3D wasn’t even in the book. What the hell? This is a definite case of stupidity on the producers part. Some schmuck sold them on 3D and they bought it like suckers. If you’re gonna do 3D, first off, do the whole damn movie. Second, make sure it fits the movie. Third, make it damn good. Don’t make everything 3D just because it’s the cool thing to do. I know sometime soon some company will release Miss Congeniality 3 (or some other romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock) in IMAX 3D, and it will ruin 3D forever.

Well, I am off for now. Have fun and keep it between the ditches.