Transformers: Dark of the Moon review buzz is split so far, which is an improvement from the last movie. However, Dark of the Moon has one other big edge on the previous Transformers, since it is in 3D. The review consensus for past 3D movies hasn't been kind, as the format is starting to wear quite thin. However, with Michael Bay taking his brand of action into the third dimension, it might be the extra edge the movie needs.
The gold standard for 3D filming will always belong to James Cameron, especially because so many others have failed to match up since then. But although it is popular to bash 3D these days and complain it has jumped the shark, Bay is still out to give the style a good name again.
The early consensus seems to suggest that the third Transformers movie is an improvement over the last maligned sequel, especially in its 3D action sequences. Of course, it still only has a 48 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but, for this franchise, that is a big improvement. And considering critics rarely praise Bay for anything -- and rarely praise 3D lately -- giving him good marks for 3D action scenes is an accomplishment.
While Bay will never be mistaken for Cameron, except perhaps in action sequences, Dark of the Moon may have more luck than any film since Avatar in making 3D profitable. In fact, the movie is opening in 2,700 3D theaters Tuesday night, hours before its wider release the next day.
The Hollywood Reporter pointed out that big summer movies have made less in 3D theaters lately. Cars 2 only had 37 percent of its domestic gross come from 3D locations last weekend, the format becoming less and less of a must-see for moviegoers. After so many mediocre and expensive live action 3D films in the last year, audiences are flocking back to 2D almost by default.
However, there are still some movie events that viewers may need to see with blue and red glasses. A Transformers film might just be one of them, along with other upcoming 3D epics from the likes of Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg later this year. And whenever Cameron releases his rumored Avatar sequels, nearly everyone will want to pay extra money to see it, even if 3D is in even greater tatters by then.
At this point, the format will take any small victory it can get, as will Bay and the Transformers franchise. Since half of the review comments actually praise Bay, 3D and the Transformers all at once, it may signal that this is the first film in a while that moviegoers truly need to pay 3D ticket prices to see.
Sources
Rotten Tomatoes- "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Hollywood Reporter- "Box Office Preview: Can Transformers Reverse 3D Decline?"
Aint It Cool- "Nordling Says Transformers: Dark of the Moon Is So Much Better!"
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