What can I say? I love 3D! From the moment I began watching 3D content in my home I quickly discovered that I needed more content. I suspect that those of you just purchasing your first 3D hardware will acquire the same ferocious appetite. That's why I became the HTF 3D ADDICT. I personally love images that pop off the screen and come inches away from your face without becoming overly gimmicky. However, I certainly appreciate the nature documentaries that offer beautiful depth and separation. These are not necessarily reviews of the film themselves. I am not going to concentrate on story or supplements -- you can find the 2D reviews elsewhere on this forum. My job is to let you know exactly what kind of 3D experience to expect from the titles that are being released. As I will be receiving a handful of new product from the studios expect to see more title coverage.
Clash of the Titans 3D
Studio: Warner Bros.
Product Release: November 16, 2010
Ratio: 2.4:1
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Rating: NR
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 2.5
3D Separation: 2.5
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 0
For me, the most surprising aspect about this new
remake of Clash of the Titans was not the 3D itself but the
fact that it turned out to be more bearable of a film for me
to watch knowing in advance all the highly negative reviews
given to it by the critics. It's not a great film, but I got through
it without any fidgeting on my couch.
The story hasn't changed much since the original 1981 film
starring Harry Hamlin and Laurence Olivier. Basically, men
are questioning and growing tired of the Gods mistreatment
and cruelty, rising up against them. In this time a child is
born, a boy destined to change everything. That boy's name
is Perseus (Avatar's Sam Worthington).
While war rages against the Gods, Zeus (Liam Neeson)
is convinced by his brother Hades (Ralph Fiennes) to release
the Kraken to squelch the revolt by the men of Argos.
It wasn't a good idea to mess with the original 1981 film
that featured the effects work of Ray Harryhausen which
has become something to be worshiped more than the
Gods or heroes of this version which has been muddled
with CGI that has none of the charm of the original stop-motion
effect technology.
One thing I have learned about 3D from people in the industry
is that Directors need to educate themselves how to shoot a
film properly in the format or the results are going to be chaotic.
I say this because Clash of the Titans was not shot for 3D.
What Warner did in an effort to garner more box-office revenue
was to upconvert the film from 2D to 3D. The downfalls of
doing this kind of conversion can plainly be seen in the final
product.
Clash of the Titans doesn't look horrible in 3D. It just
doesn't look consistently great. It's as if the studio labored
hard to optimize the best scenes of the film and then let
others go. The result is 3D that looks quite passable at
times and at others, you would swear that you were watching
flat 2D. Sometimes the seams in layers between characters
and background can clearly be seen.
The overall level of separation (perception of depth) is
minimal except for a few key scenes that include the
capturing of Medusa and the rise and defeat of the Kraken.
There's mostly the sense that there is 3D, but the level
of it is quite uneven.
And, because the film was not shot for 3D the effects
work totally ruins the process at times. You have these
fast-motion battle CGI scenes that come across as blurs
further hindered by shaky camera movement.
There is absolutely no "In Yo' Face" 3D to be seen here.
All objects stay squarely within the confines of the screen.
Overall image quality looks perfect with nice earthy tones.
The DTS-MA mix is very robust featuring the score by
Ramin Djawadi. Lots of underlying bass here with a good
amount of effect noise. I really enjoyed the use of vocals
across the channels such as a laughing Medusa or the
screeching of winged creatures attacking townspeople.
This is an encompassing mix.
CONCLUSION
My best advice here is that if you already own the
standard Blu-ray of Clash of the Titans there is no real
reason to upgrade as the 3D adds very little enhancement.
Equipment
LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display
LG BX580 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3808CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer
