Ready for "47 Ronin" in 3D

photo via FirstShowing.net

One of the biggest complaints I hear about 3D movies is that audience viewers find them "gimmicky." (Future posts to come on the usage and meaning of this term.) This complaint is followed up by jabs at the movie's story, many of which are merited.

For this reason, the news Keanu Reeves will be starring in Universal's take on 47 Ronin in 3D brought me joy. The story of the forty-seven ronin (Japanese for "samurai") is rich in its themes of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice as the forty-seven ronin wait to avenge the death of their leader at the cost of their own lives.

From our projects last semester, we found action and fight scenes look sweet in 3D. For me, the depth displays well the spatial relations of the characters. In flat movies, I struggle to track each fighter and often find myself lost, not knowing where each fighter is in relation to the others. For this reason, 3D is helpful to me in following the action of a fight scene. 47 Ronin is a story that affords ample opportunities to visually utilize depth without throwing any ninja stars at the screen. (Though come on, deep down you know you would be sad if you left without one shuriken whizzing at your face.)

Universal gains points in my book for green lighting a 3D movie where the 3D will serve and enhance the story. Hope the film delivers.

For more read: http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/rinko-kikuchi-and-others-cast-in-carl-rinschs-3d-epic-47-ronin/