By Judy Russell January 01, 2011 ( Volume 80 , No. 1 )

Does it seem like there are a lot of 3D movies lately? If you said yes, you are right. It seems we are in a period of new exploration of this format which has been around in filmmaking for years. In the 1950s, filmmakers were trying new techniques to make the audience feel more a part of the story experience. They started making movies with two cameras that were synchronized, and when the two films were played back it would give the audience the effect of “seeing” the characters with their own two eyes— stereoscopic photography with moving images. Due to the expense and the lack of standardized cameras and projectors the craze waned; but filming from two perspectives has recently gained popularity again.

Driven by the IMAX and Disney venues as well as the availability of computers to generate two perspectives (eliminating the need for synchronized filming) many companies are making films in 2D and 3D formats for the marketplace. This may be the wave of the industry’s future, especially with the creation of television sets and household movie theatres capable of running 3D products. There are still some problems such as the lighting concerns connected to 3D films using polarized-light technology: Since only half the light is seen by each eye, some of the details and motion may be lost to the viewer. The industry is working on these problems and making gains with each new adventure made for the viewer’s enjoyment.

Current and near future 3D movies include: Legend Of The Guardians, Megamind, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Tangled, Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Trader, Yogi Bear, Tron: Legacy, Gulliver’s Travels, Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom Of Doom, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Smurfs 3D, Green Lantern and Spider-Man 4.

Read on for reviews of some family friendly 3D movies playing now:

Yogi Bear (Rated PG)

Yogi may still say he is “smarter than the average bear,” but after viewing this film the audience may think he has lost some of his IQ points. How could this be? The film is 3D, the bears are beautifully created, the CGI fits exquisitely into the real-world’s wooded countryside, and the main characters have been loved for years! How could a movie about a revisit to Jellystone National Park not be a hit? Answer: the storyline.

Yogi (wonderfully voiced by Dan Aykroyd) and Boo Boo (voiced by Justin Timberlake) are up to their old tricks of trying to snatch away park goers’ “pic-a-nic” baskets. As in their TV past, they want to get the “people food” away from the people, but if you have seen any of the previews you have already seen all their trick-ideas. To make matters worse, these pranks appear within the first few minutes of the film! The rest of the movie must depend upon the tired tale of a crooked politician, Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly), using the public’s trust for his own greedy good. Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh), his love-interest, Rachel (Anna Faris), and the bears of course must find a way to save the day.

There are some nicely crafted screens –Yogi’s water-skiing show, the bears’ wild ride in their flying machine, and the silly mishaps at the park’s “100 Years” party. Sadly the sight-gags, slapstick actions, and funny lines are too few and far between to hold even young viewers’ interest for long.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Rated PG)

This is a well-made 3D film which holds the audience’s attention through lively character development and some spectacular CGI action scenes. The film’s theme of good triumphing evil is openly stated and simple, so even young viewers can see that choices bring about their own results.

The story opens with Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) living in the home of their mean-spirited cousin, Eustace (convincingly portrayed by Will Poulter). During a heated argument the three are transported to Narnia through an ocean painting that is hanging on the bedroom wall; the painting becomes real and completely fills the room they are in with sea water. As they struggle to keep from drowning and swim to the surface, they are met and rescued by a royal ship, the Dawn Treader.

Their friend Caspian, now King Caspian (Ben Barnes), is aboard the ship and explains he is searching for the seven lost Lords of Narnia. Although Lucy and Edmund are glad to face another adventure in this wonderful land, Eustace is confronted by challenges and situations he is ill prepared for and is therefore very unhappy and rebellious. His stubbornness sets up one of the lighter moments in the film as he and the spirited rodent, Reepicheep, duel aboard the ship to the amusement of the crew – and the audience. Later Eustace’s greediness turns him into a dragon. When he realizes his past ways were filled with bad choices, he decides to use his dragon powers to help his shipmates, and Aslan, the Lion king, changes him back into a boy. But this time he is a boy with a kind spirit.

The ship’s group visits several islands with each presenting its own challenges to the children and crew. Parents need to be aware that one of these islands has an active slave market where the main characters are kidnapped and brought to market to be sold. This and some of the fighting scenes may be frightening to very young children; however, children and adults alike will find most of the film’s story and action delightful.

Tron: Legacy (Rated PG)

This film is a sequel of sorts to the 1982 film, Tron. As such, Legacy begins with a short background story of a computer hacker, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who found a way to get inside his computer, bonded with a security program named Tron, but then was prevented from returning home to the real world, “the land of the creators”.

Now, 20 years later, the son of this computer wizard, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), has taken up his own investigation of his father’s disappearance and ends up being pulled inside the same computer world. Sam’s goal to rescue his father becomes very complex since this cyber-world has grown into its own universe. He even meets a new life form, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), who saves his life on several occasions.

A large portion of this film was performed before a “green screen” so scale and the directionality of the actors (up/down) could be manipulated within this alternate reality. At times this produces an almost dizzying effect—for example, the fight-to-the-death game sequences. These games have “programs” (these actors appear to be people but they have glowing circuit paths all over them) spin, flip and jump to a variety of levels or floors while hurling their “life disks” (disks that fly like super-Frisbees!) at their opponents.

This action packed 3D film is best viewed on a large screen—IMAX 3D would be wonderful for the action that takes place inside the computer world since this “land” is a bit dark; however, the costumes, vehicles, and buildings are aglow with fantastic, neon colors that help make the story even more gripping and believable.

Tangled (PG)

For all those “little princesses” (and the grown up ones, too!) who have dreamed about having long, long hair, this just may be the movie for you. But there is plenty of action and danger to keep both boys and girls on the edge of their seats.

Our heroine, Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore), had the longest, strongest locks ever and learned to use them for all sorts of activities—from dance partner to an elevator-style lifting rope. The rope idea came in handy since she lived for 17 years atop a lonely tower which had no door. Of course, she did not have just regular long hair; it was magical hair capable of healing wounds and lighting up dark pathways. (Her hair glowed whenever she sang.) This gift of magical hair came from a golden, healing flower that had been given to her ill mother, the queen, while she was pregnant; its power became part of the baby Rapunzel’s hair.

But this magical flower had been Gothel’s secret for staying young and beautiful. She had been using it for years, and now with her youth-flower supply suddenly gone, Gothel (voiced by Danna Murphy) had to come up with a plan to again have access to its power. Kidnapping, imprisonment, and pretending to be the princess’ mother for 17 years was her plan, and it worked surprisingly well until a charming, handsome thief, Flynn Ryder (voiced by Zachary Levi), stumbled upon Rapunzel’s tower and became part of her small world.

The storyline moves quickly through scenes of adventure, danger and deceit. But it also has many lighter moments such as those with Maximus, an amazingly funny horse, and Pascal, a cute little chameleon. There were only a few memorable songs, but one rousing one, “Mother Knows Best,” was so good it had a reprise later in the film.

The film does have a few frightening scenes: ruffians at a tavern called The Snuggly Duckling, a dam break that traps Rapunzel and Flynn in a water-filled cave, and quite a few chases. These may be alarming to the youngest viewers. These situations caused the film to be rated PG instead of Disney’s usual “Princess films: G”. The brothers Grimm might not recognize their Rapunzel in this musical animated film, but the audience will not be disappointed with the retelling they receive.

Judy Russell teaches music and performing arts at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School.