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5.4/10
321
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"Encounter in the Third Dimension" tells the tale of when a laboratory accident sends a scientist and his robot assistant on a trip through the history of 3D film. Special appearance by horr... Read all"Encounter in the Third Dimension" tells the tale of when a laboratory accident sends a scientist and his robot assistant on a trip through the history of 3D film. Special appearance by horror host Elvira, Mistress of the Dark."Encounter in the Third Dimension" tells the tale of when a laboratory accident sends a scientist and his robot assistant on a trip through the history of 3D film. Special appearance by horror host Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
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This was the first 3D IMAX film I have seen, and I must say I was quite impressed. Not only were the 3D effects spectacular, but the film was quite enjoyable as well.
The roller coaster rides and underwater scenes were quite fun (it really feels like you are there!). The film itself was documentary style, but written in such a way that all ages will find it enjoyable. If it's still playing near you, it's worth seeing.
The roller coaster rides and underwater scenes were quite fun (it really feels like you are there!). The film itself was documentary style, but written in such a way that all ages will find it enjoyable. If it's still playing near you, it's worth seeing.
Strictly for fans of 3-D stereo home video. Requires LCD-shutter glasses connected to a home controller driven by the composite video-out signal; there are several such systems available.
I viewed this DVD in 3-D on a 35" TV with an S-video connection, using "3-D SPEX" LCD glasses I already owned, from NuVision. The picture was quite good, despite the loss of color caused by the glasses. Note that this should only be viewed in a dark room.
This was transferred from the original IMAX film, and that causes major problems. It was designed to fill the enormous IMAX screen with large amounts of CGI detail, which become overly miniaturized when transferred to video. For example, at one point there is an inset showing examples of some early 3-D movies, but the inset is so tiny that they are mostly lost. In Elvira's few scenes, she mostly appears as a small doll lost in the middle of the screen (the producers are idiots for hiring her, and then making so little use of her unique talents).
The script's attempts at humor are hideously bad, and appear to have been aimed at bored 6-8 year olds; adults will probably find themselves suffering. The failed tries at cuteness are very typical of this entire genre, unfortunately; its scary to think that the producers may actually find it amusing. Its like they were TRYING to drive IMAX into its eventual bankruptcy.
Once you get past the many problems, there is some quite interesting 3-D history, and examples of 3-D stills and movies. Unfortunately the stereo separation is flawed, and the depth is usually badly exaggerated. On the other hand, the numerous examples of CGI stereo are impressive, particularly the "Journey to the Center of the Earth", which was presumably taken from a motion-simulator ride.
I viewed this DVD in 3-D on a 35" TV with an S-video connection, using "3-D SPEX" LCD glasses I already owned, from NuVision. The picture was quite good, despite the loss of color caused by the glasses. Note that this should only be viewed in a dark room.
This was transferred from the original IMAX film, and that causes major problems. It was designed to fill the enormous IMAX screen with large amounts of CGI detail, which become overly miniaturized when transferred to video. For example, at one point there is an inset showing examples of some early 3-D movies, but the inset is so tiny that they are mostly lost. In Elvira's few scenes, she mostly appears as a small doll lost in the middle of the screen (the producers are idiots for hiring her, and then making so little use of her unique talents).
The script's attempts at humor are hideously bad, and appear to have been aimed at bored 6-8 year olds; adults will probably find themselves suffering. The failed tries at cuteness are very typical of this entire genre, unfortunately; its scary to think that the producers may actually find it amusing. Its like they were TRYING to drive IMAX into its eventual bankruptcy.
Once you get past the many problems, there is some quite interesting 3-D history, and examples of 3-D stills and movies. Unfortunately the stereo separation is flawed, and the depth is usually badly exaggerated. On the other hand, the numerous examples of CGI stereo are impressive, particularly the "Journey to the Center of the Earth", which was presumably taken from a motion-simulator ride.
"Encounter in the third dimension" contains a pretty neat concept......
Let's film a 3-D documentary IN 3D about the history of 3D and 3D movies, throw in some clips of classic 3D movies and mix them with the latest and greatest in computer animated 3D virtual reality! AWESOME!
The movie has some great old footage, and is very informative while being consistently entertaining. A nice job all the way through- even though Elvira is grossly underused!! I can not wait to see what else NWAVE pictures has up their sleeve. They are definitely on the cutting edge of 3D home entertainment. I have yet to see anything that rivals "Encounter", "Alien Adventure" or "Haunted Castle" on the 3D market!
Very well done!
Do not watch this in 2D, however; highly recommended for 3D lovers!!!
Let's film a 3-D documentary IN 3D about the history of 3D and 3D movies, throw in some clips of classic 3D movies and mix them with the latest and greatest in computer animated 3D virtual reality! AWESOME!
The movie has some great old footage, and is very informative while being consistently entertaining. A nice job all the way through- even though Elvira is grossly underused!! I can not wait to see what else NWAVE pictures has up their sleeve. They are definitely on the cutting edge of 3D home entertainment. I have yet to see anything that rivals "Encounter", "Alien Adventure" or "Haunted Castle" on the 3D market!
Very well done!
Do not watch this in 2D, however; highly recommended for 3D lovers!!!
So who cares if the plot's sketchy and repetitive, and the dialogue childish? It's the spectacle here that counts. And it really works; the superbly detailed CG chamber where the action takes place, the lighting and textures are lovely and highly detailed and the animation is excellent - especially during the phenomenal roller-coaster ride to the centre of the earth simulator sequence. On the downside, there is a lot of strobing on some fast moving scenes (lack of motion blur), and not all of the elements hold together (but these are minor complaints). Topped of with a suitably wacky number from Elvira, it's easy going fun with 3-D that benefits from the visually all-encompassing IMAX format.
I've seen many 3d movies - some of them on IMAX screens - but "Encounter in the Third Dimension" is the absolute best (as of 1998) in CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) and 3D. A must-see!
Did you know
- TriviaTrailer narrated by the legendary trailer narrator Don LaFontaine.
- Crazy creditsWhile the title is clearly intended to be "Encounter in the Third Dimension," the actual on-screen title includes a typo generated by M.A.X., the first of many malfunctions. MAX tries to fix it, but destroys the title in the process.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Troldspejlet: Episode #24.3 (2001)
- SoundtracksHaunted House
Written by John Paragon & Holly Knight
Performed by Cassandra Peterson (as Elvira)
Courtesy of Rhino Records
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Encounter in the Third Dimension
- Production companies
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Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $7,195,792
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $21,653
- Feb 28, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $38,171,557
- Runtime
- 40m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.44 : 1
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