James Bond in 3D – Why?

Okay, I’m making a rule. Studios, you can no longer take old vintage films and give them 3D makeovers. We don’t want the 3D, and we certainly don’t want to pay overpriced ticket prices to see a movie we already own on Blu-ray again. I doubt that anyone will listen to me, but if we all say something, maybe this madness will stop. Why do I bring this up now? Well, it seems that James Bond – specifically the old Bond films – may be re-released in theaters and Blu-ray in 3D. I’m not happy about this.

It appears that the Taiwanese Blu-ray re-issue of ‘Dr. No’, the very first Bond film, includes a 3D version in the set. The good folks over at Bleeding Cool also discovered that Moviefone has a current listing on its web site for an IMAX 3D theatrical release of ‘Dr. No’. As of now anyway, we’ve seen no official confirmation about this 3D release, but the writing is on the wall.

Since the new Bond film ‘Skyfall‘ made over $1 billion at the box office, and the release of the recent ‘Bond 50‘ Blu-ray set sold very well, it only seems natural that MGM would want more of our money any way it can get it. What easier way to do that than to convert the old movies to 3D?

This 3D Blu-ray definitely exists. It’s only a matter of time before the 3D version gets released stateside, and plays in theaters for a week or two. If this proves successful, I assume that the later films will follow in suit.

I’m not for this in any way. What are your thoughts? Would you pay to see or own ‘Dr. No’ in 3D?

11 comments

  1. I wouldn’t make too much of this. Some foreign distributors (notably in Germany and Asia) have taken to doing quickie 3D conversions of regular 2D movies. They’re about the same quality as turning on the real-time conversion in a 3D TV. This same studio also put out a 3D version of Rashomon, of all things.

    I’m not even sure these are legal. The “Film in the History of the First 007 Film” banner makes it look an awful lot like a bootleg.

    The Moviefone listing for an IMAX theatrical release could just be a placeholder. I’ll wait for more details to see what comes of that.

    Of all the Bond films, Dr. No doesn’t have much that would benefit from 3D… other than perhaps the Ursula Andress bikini scene. 🙂

    Honestly, Moonraker would probably make the best candidate for 3D. Maybe Die Another Day. That’s a sad irony that the worst movies are the most suited to 3D conversion.

  2. Are you kidding? As far as I’m concerned remake all the old classics in 3D.

    Can you imagine ‘Citizen Kane’ in 3D? Xanadu’s warehouse of wooden boxes is going to be the shit!

  3. Ryan M

    Go ahead and convert every movie ever made into 3D. I will be making the choice not to buy any of them until I have a 3D-capable TV (which will not be in the near future).

  4. Okay, I’m making a rule. Studios, you can no longer take old vintage films and give them 3D makeovers. We don’t want the 3D, and we certainly don’t want to pay overpriced ticket prices to see a movie we already own on Blu-ray again

    Speak for yourself. I just bought Top Gun in 3D, I have Titanic in 3D, and am looking forward to Jurassic Park and Wizard of Oz. If you don’t want to see it in 3D, then you don’t have to. But don’t try to make a rule for those of us who do.

    I agree with Josh that Dr. No wouldn’t be my first choice for a 3D conversion, but I would certainly go see it in IMAX 3D.

    • How about just releasing a cleaned up beautiful 2D print instead of grafting some unholy 3d crap.

      Taking a 2D classic is only one step above the cinematic travesties that were the colorization abominations of the 90’s.

      For the love of all that is good in the world, please stop.

  5. Will

    I never understand this angst when it comes to 3D.

    “We don’t want the 3D, and we certainly don’t want to pay overpriced ticket prices to see a movie we already own on Blu-ray again.”

    I don’t know who you’re speaking for, but why don’t you and this collective simply not go and see it?

    I own Jurassic Park on Blu and can’t wait for the 3D re-release and don’t care what these pompous, joyless people think. Hell, I won’t even think twice about having to pay an entire extra pound (about a buck ‘n a half) for the 3D ticket

  6. Pip

    Just don’t buy the 3D if you don’t like it and let people who do love 3D go for it, Titanic was a triumph of 3D conversion, I am looking forward to many more to come.

  7. Pyronaut

    I like 3D movies when they are done well, but I hate the cash grab that takes place when old movies are converted to 3D, especially when released in theatres. Having said that, I guess people who want to see it can go spend their money if they want to. If they’re entertained, then good for them.

    As long as they don’t do it too often in the cinema and take up time slots for other deserving movies, then I’m fine with that. Home media seems like the best avenue for these re-releases.

    I just fear that the 3D thing will be overused and abused, and films that are done well in 3D are overlooked by those who are sick of having 3D pushed down their throats.

  8. Toby

    The thing is, there were around 60 great 3-D movies made in the 50’s and that’s what they should be releasing. Two have already been offered in Blu Ray “Creature From The Black Lagoon” and Dial M For Murder” Get the studios to release them.

  9. Allan Heyman

    I paid a whopping price for a 3D 4K curved tv, I purchased a 3D version of The Wizard of Oz (Judy Garland) I was totally amazed. 3D is well worth it and re-releasing Bond Films in 3D would be awesome AND purchased by me,

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