2009 movies: of pulp fiction and 3 dimensions

An old filmmaking technique's reclamation of the American movie audience's attention has earned Hollywood some money in the past year.

James Cameron’s much-hyped return to movies, “Avatar” was one of several successful 3D films to come out in 2009, and was the top grossing film of the year. Four of the top 10 grossing movies of the year were presented in 3D, and the majority of their totals came from their 3D screenings. The previous year, there were no 3D films in the top 20.

“Avatar,” which allegedly cost somewhere between $300 million and $500 million to produce and market, shocked industry analysts by surpassing $1.5 billion worldwide, with $500 million and counting coming from the United States alone.
 
Maria Newman, a senior photojournalism major, has been an employee of The Grand 18 theater in Hattiesburg for over two years.
 
“Working at The Grand, I believe that the 3D aspect of some movies is a major selling point,” Newman said. “People come in asking to see the latest 3D film without knowing what it is about. It is quite the craze right now.”
 
While few have debated the immense visual impact of “Avatar,” critics and bloggers have compared it (mostly negatively) to films like “Ferngully” and “Last of the Mohicans,” calling it a rehash of old ideas with slick, expensive packaging.
 
Jennifer Lamb, a senior biology major, understands the criticism the film has received.
 
“The most frequent complaint that I have heard about ‘Avatar’ is that the plot lacks substance, or that it isn't original,” Lamb said. “While I can agree slightly with the former, based on the actions of our government and on aspects of our behavior as a public, I don't think that it is a plot we have heard enough of.”
 
Lamb also enjoyed the 3D element of the film, but it was not the reason she chose to see the film.
 
“I would have seen the movie even if it was not in 3D, although the 3D experience is really interesting,” Lamb said. “'Avatar' isn't the type of movie to shoot things at your face, but instead causes your jaw to drop as you watch ashes fall past you and towards the ground. The 3D technology is used to entwine your senses into the story.”
 
The second highest grossing 3D film of the year, at number four overall, was “Up,” a Pixar-produced animated film about an elderly man and a young boy who go on an adventure in a floating house held up by balloons.
 
“Up” was critically praised for its accurate depiction of old age and the death of a loved one. The unusually serious subject matter did not deter moviegoers, however, as “Up” made just under $300 million domestically.
 
“Up” was also a critical success, with an unprecedented 98 percent approval rating on RottenTomatoes.com.
 
Anna Fleming, a freshman graphic design major, had nothing but praise to say about the film.
 
“’Up’ is probably the sweetest movie I've ever seen,” Fleming said. “It's funny and the animation is great. Of the people I've talked to, none of them have made it through the first 15 minutes without tearing up.”
 
At numbers nine and ten respectively of the year's top grossing films are "Monsters vs. Aliens" and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs."