'Legend of the Guardians' passes 3D test with flying colors

With the controversy raging over films converted to 3D instead of shot with 3D cameras, and dropping box office numbers indicating audiences may have "3D fatigue," moviegoers are thinking twice about spending more for tickets. The animated film
Legend of the Guardians: the Owls of Ga'Hoole, just released in North America, has received a top score for its 3D effects.

A seven-point set of criteria for judging the merits of 3D films was created by the Cinemablend website to help determine if a film is worth seeing in 3D instead of the 2D version. It commends Legend of the Guardians technically, giving the director, Zack Synder ( 300, Watchmen), top ratings for each 3D element, getting 5 out of 5 for each item.

1. Suitability for 3D
Computer animated fantasy films with bright colors and defined imagery are well-suited to 3D. Story-wise, it also fits, with high-flying chase scenes and deep, rich environments.

2. Advance planning for real feeling
Some movies mimic the 3D effect but Legend pushes the technology. It was planned out with research on real owls. Snyder explains they manipulated the tools of 3D, using it differently than other directors have by altering the speed of filming to recreate a lifelike look as the birds flew.

3. Picture depth
Proper use of 3D gives the illusion of depth as if watching through a window, not projected on a flat screen. There is space between objects. In long shots or close-ups, the camera follows the owls inside trees. The wings change perspective as they move through the air.

4. Flair - not gimmicky
Most 3D films show things bursting out of the screen to startle the audience. But Legend of the Guardians uses 3D's full potential with objects seeming to come from the theater. Raindrops fall from above the audience onto birds and into the screen. The sun's rays stream from one side of the screen to the other and onto seats. It's an attempt to create a natural feeling, as if surrounded by images - not just a floating moment.

5. Brightness
Even though owls are night creatures, Snyder set most of the film at sunset to avoid the problems of 3D glasses filtering out lightness. Cinemas often have to increase the brightness levels on the projectors to compensate. The film glows in twilight's golden hour so images look sharp and focused instead of dark.

6. Audience health
There are no headaches due to 3D's dim pictures, and no nausea or dizziness caused by warped or distorted 3D images. Legend of the Guardians feels soothing, refreshing and relaxing, despite the warring owls.

7. Glasses-off test
Most action scenes in 3D films look fuzzy without glasses because the effects are in full force, but less so with talking scenes. Guardians is entirely blurry without glasses with Snyder adjusting 3D levels depending on the camera perspective.

The film, based on children's book series by Kathryn Lasky, follows the mythological story of kidnapped owls and the saving of owlkind from a warring faction. It tied for the number two spot in North America with Ben Affleck's The Town. Voice talent includes Helen Mirren and Hugo Weaving and a largely Australian cast of Sam Neil, Anthony Paglia and Geoffrey Rush.

It opens this weekend in Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway and Hungary, then rolls out in other countries through October.

RC