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Two weeks ago, SM Cinemas launched an event for their
D-Cinema at a new section called “The Block” in SM North.
The featured film was Journey to
the Center of the Earth in 3D. They gave us a black pair of 3D
glasses and I got ready for the “ride”—which is what I
consider the film to be—a bit like an extended attraction at
Disneyland.
Journey to the Center of the
Earth is about a scientist played by Brendan Fraser who discovers
living, breathing evidence of a world at the center of the earth—a
world his Jules Verne obsessed elder brother devoted his life to
finding. It becomes and amusing romp if you opt to see it in 3D as
you’ve got a bunch of things to enjoy in 3D magic—bugs, a hungry
“gigantosaurus,” blue luminescent birds, menacing giant piranha
like fishes jumping at you, a mad storm of glistening silver rain
drops (water effects are some of my favorite in 3D), carnivorous
plants and gravity defying rocks. The special effects people made
sure there was a constant supply of creatures and bizarre elements
of nature to enjoy.
After a while, you wonder if
films in 3D should just be limited to those with simple stories,
cookie cutter characters and carefully planted action sequences so
you could just let the effects take you away or if something in 3D
could handle more complex story lines (like that of Batman) and
compelling characters. Would 3D and whiz-bang effects take away from
intense plots and performances or would it actually enhance it?
I probably wouldn’t go see this
film at a regular cinema—if I did have the extra time, it would
probably go to re-discovering Batman: The Dark Knight. I saw it at
the IMAX theater and absolutely enjoyed the swooping shots through
Gotham City. Six sequences were shot using an IMAX
camera—including the one where The Joker makes his first
appearance. I completely fell for the scene at the top of the Hong
Kong Skyscraper where Batman leaps off into the night. It made me
want to go bungy jump again.
As early as now, I’m wondering
how many Jokers I’m going to see this Halloween?
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