[Philip Lelyveld comment: University student perspective]

[Student Life]

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Point

It’s official—we’re getting old.

As college students, we’re old enough to be legitimately nostalgic for the way movies used to be. Maybe we can’t relate to the subjects of silent films or the advent of Technicolor, but we do miss the days when Disney made fully animated musicals every year or two, and the sequels were just straight-to-video monstrosities we all ignored.  …

So, I’m in favor of any excuse to see my favorite movies again on the big screen. 3D technology provides that excuse.

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If I’m going to pay the $15 to see a 3D movie, I need to know it will be amazing. “The Lion King” meets that standard, and so do most of the other movies that are going to be re-released. I can’t necessarily say the same for whatever Hollywood happened to release this week.

Counterpoint

Why mess with a classic? Personally, I am against the recent trend in the film industry to re-release classic movies in 3D. Does 3D make that much of a difference in quality, or is Hollywood merely using these films as a ploy to increase profits? While “The Lion King 3D” had great success at the box office, I don’t see the appeal. Why spend the $12+ when I can simply watch the original version on DVD? The price of a DVD these days is actually less than the cost of going to a 3D movie, and with a DVD, I can watch the movie as many times as I want.  …

Hollywood seems intent on continuing the 3D trend sparked by “Avatar.” My one word of caution to the industry is: Don’t alter the original movie. Go ahead and add your 3D technology, but please, don’t edit the essence of the films themselves. The re-release in 3D should not precipitate a change in content, only a change in technology affecting how audiences engage with the film.

See the full story here: http://www.studlife.com/cadenza/point-counterpoint/2011/10/17/pointcounterpoint-disney-re-releases-in-3d/