Will’s Top 10 3D Blu-rays of 2011
The third-dimension hasn’t been much of a discussion but more of a debate. You either hate it or love it. Some are fans of the depth that’s added to a movie’s visual presentation while others prefer pop-out effects that make you feel like you’re a part of the movie. The new Blu-ray 3D format has been questioned of its possible failure or success. 2011 had a slow start with 3D content being released, but by mid-year, the animation was popping out and by year’s end, the live-action films made way to the new format. Studio’s making certain titles exclusive with certain TV set brands has also made adopters of Blu-ray 3D frustrated. Making it very hard to view new content on a small market but finally during the summer, we started to finally see retail market releases for these exclusives. DreamWorks has decided to release their titles exclusively for BestBuy right now. Overall, 2011 was actually a pretty good release year for Blu-ray 3D with some hits and some misses here and there. Early adopters are still waiting on the stereoscopic 3D release of Jackass 3D, the retail release of Avatar 3D, ESPN 3D to have more content scheduled and a release of the original Jaws. Heck even video games are being release in 3D which is making gamers add a new experience to what’s already an entertaining experience. Now gamers have the luxury of dodging bullets flying at them, grenades exploding and 4o-yard pass coming at them. 2011 came and went, hopefully 2012 will only improve, so here’s my recap of what was an exceptional year for Blu-ray 3D.
Will’s Top 10 3-D
Blu-rays of
2011
10. Drive Angry 3D – The Nicolas Cage live-action flick was impressive with a third-dimension. Depth made highway and action scenes appear deep. Pop-out was a bit gimmicky with objects flying at you for no apparent reason. The movie wasn’t great but was definitely watchable. The visual transfer was very impressive in high def, plus the price on this disc always seems to drop and that’s when this flick becomes a no brainer to purchase.
9. The Smurfs 3D– I had no interest in watching this in 2D or 3D. Grew up a fan of the beloved 80’s cartoon series but Hollywood has damaged too many of my favorite childhood cartoons. Barely any Jokey Smurf, Hefty only has 1 line, no Johan and Peewee and no Christmas Carol special like the 2D combo set. The Smurfs was actually not that bad. It’s pretty entertaining, with a shout out to creator Peyo and a small tribute to the cartoon series during the end credits.
8. Tron Legacy 3D – Tron is back, well sort of. Actually, Kevin Flynn is back but with his son Sam, now as the lead. Tron Legacy is a beautiful Blu-ray disc with great visual effects. Even though the whole movie isn’t in 3D, it’s still a spectacular film to watch in 3D.
7. Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Film Trilogy (UK) – A must own set for all marine life fans. You don’t receive 1 great 3D documentary, not 2, but 3 of them in 1 set. You’ll have fish, sharks, sea turtles and many other marine-life animals floating across your living room for an amazing experience. It’s a region free set and worth importing when you get a chance.
6. How to Train Your Dragon 3D – At first this was a hard 3D movie to get. You had to purchase a Samsung Starter kit, but now you can find this title at any BestBuy. What I thought was the animated movie of the year for 2010 has been under the radar for 3D adopters. Get your hands on this when you can.
5. Yogi Bear 3D – I know this isn’t a great movie but your children may like it. I know Yogi doesn’t look realistic and scenes with humans just appear so far off. Still I can’t knock how great this looks in 3D. There are some well added depth and slow-motion pop-outs. This is a great watch once, with the added dimension of 3D.
4. Arabia 3D and The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D – IMAX and Image Entertainment 2 best documentary releases of 2011. I can’t even tell you which one is superior; they are so close running neck to neck needing a photo finish to decide the winner. One film is on land and the other in water. Both are very educational and not even that long to watch.
3. Tangled 3D – Disney is on top of their game right now with their 3D combo sets. They are also have the best post-converted and shot in 3D Blu-rays around. They may not have the #1 title on my list but they are #1 as a studio.
2. Meet the Robinsons 3D – This is my favorite Disney animated featured that’s a non-Pixar title. Meet the Robinsons is so underrated I think, because it deals with a child from poverty. I may be biased, because I enjoy the film so much, but this was a great 3D disc as well. Constant pop-out and depth added to an already great experience. Meet the Robinsons 3D is movie that I truly enjoyed.
1. Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage 3D (Hong Kong Version) – In the UK it’s called A Turtle’s Tale-Sammy’s Adventures. The same movie with a different title, if you don’t have a region free player then the Hong Kong Version is the only way you can go. This was a tough find for me to get since I don’t have a region free player. Sammy’s Adventures is the best 3D release by far. You can pick your #1 choice for 2010 and Sammy will beat it. The plot is average but with 80% of the movie in your living room with the realistic water depth, I can only imagine what Finding Nemo would look like in 3D. I know Avatar 3D fans will be in denial or even refuse to believe me, but Sammy’s Adventures takes 3D on Blu-ray to a whole different level.
Honorable Mentions:
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D, Bolt 3D, Toy Story trilogy 3D, Captain America: The First Avenger 3D, G-Force 3D, Lion King 3D, Kung Fu Panda 3D, Kung Fu Panda 2 3D and The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D
Holy cow. Between your 6 and 7 spots, that may be enough right there to make me go 3D at home!
Where’s Piranha 3D?
Sorry Matt. As a converted 3D film I feel Piranha 3D just wasnt that good of using the 3D technology. Depth was average and pop-out was almost non-existence. I believe there’s too many converted films that look way better than Piranha like Alice in Wonderland, Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, The Green Hornet. Of course there are worst converted films suck as Thor, Last Airbender and Clash of the Titans.
@Gregg-those were 2 good 3D flicks. Especially the Cousteau set. 3D really added to the experience and made them fun to watch. 3D isnt for everyone though.
Great overview of what I feel has been a great year for 3D. I really have enjoyed the wide variety of releases this year as well. As for your number 1 I am still looking forward to seeing it but as of right now Meet the Robinsons is my favorite 3D release, but I to am partial to it as it is one of my favorite films as the little boy Goob, has always reminded me of my little boy who has passed away. And I really loved Jean-Michael’s trilogy as well, I have never really been a big fan of documentaries in the past but the 3D format has changed that, my wife and I really enjoy sitting down and watching he 3D documentaries now. (She has always enjoyed them.) Hopefully 2012 will bring more great 3D experiences to us all.
Although, i’m still not a fan, I do have to admit to checking out Shrek Blu-ray in 3-D on my friends new Samsung. I am shocked to say this, but the 3-D was great! I have never been impressed by the Sony demo units in stores, but when I saw this on the Samsung, I was like wow! I think I would love to check out How To Train Your Dragon in Blu-ray 3-D, and of course, Avatar.
Brian, demo unit in stores are rarely ever calibrated properly. Never go by what its stores. They haven’t got a clue.
It’s Best Buy Gerard. You telling me Best Buy doesn’t calibrate equally and that kid in the computer department isn’t going to answer all my tech spec questions correctly? LOL
Brian i own 2 Samsung 3D sets.. Although i personally believe the Panny’s have the best 3D quality, i went with the Sammy’s for the 2D/3D converter. Just in case 3D doesnt survive as a format, i know Blu-ray 3D’s will become extinct as well as 3D channels such as ESPN3D.. With the converter, I’ll still be able to watch anything in 3D.. (of course I wont watch everything, but movies like Jurassic Park, Star Wars Clone Wars series actually look good with the converter)
Hahaha dont get me started on the Geek Squad lol
TJ sorry bout your son passing away. I love Meet the Robinsons because it reminds me alot of my childhood, growing up in poverty and not knowing where my mother was, makes me really connect to the movie.
2011 was a great year for 3D and i hope 2012 will only improve. People will knock 3D and say its only a gimmick. That’s their opinion and they’re entitle to it. No one is forcing them to purchase a 3D set. I happen to be one of the people that enjoy it.
Having reviewed many of these movies on your list, I agree that Disney is the studio that’s dominating over the rest with their excellent 3D releases. I missed the nature and travel discs though so I will have to catch those.
I just picked up a Sony Bravia. This has a fantastic quality to it!