Dreaming about Star Wars in 3D

I recently saw the new Blu-ray release of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Among the numerous extras included with the set was an audience participation feature. Using the feature you can throw popcorn and other "midnight showing" paraphernalia at the screen by pointing and clicking with the remote control. It’s silly, obviously not akin to the “real” experience, and done (at least I think) for laughs, but it’s been on my mind as I consider what movies I’d enjoy in the sort of really immersive experience that 3D technology can provide.

There will be many movies coming out for 3D as the months go on, and even some television series, I would guess. The Harry Potter finale, I understand is being shot in 3D, and I would venture to say that it will come out in 3D when it’s released on Blu-ray for home viewing.

But what I would love to see in 3D for my home 3D setup (if and when) I get one would be the great space operas: Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica recreated and released for 3D home viewing (and playing). I've heard that Star Wars will be released in 3D by Lucasfilm possibly beginning in 2012 with Episode I: Phantom Menace.

Now, I admit that I’m a bit of an original trilogy (that would be Episodes IV, V, and VI) snob and not a big fan of the latter three movies. So my 3D dreams tap into the purist part of me that still laughs during the hopelessly late-'70s bar scene in Star Wars and weeps for joy at the Ewok victory party when Han Solo and Princess Leia finally kiss at the end of Return of the Jedi.

I imagine myself sitting in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon with Han and Chewbacca the Wookie or in a star fighter with Luke Skywalker doing battle with the Emperor’s pilots in the depths of space. Yes, I’m sure there are games out there that let you simulate those things, but I’m talking about being “in” the scene—“in the movie” itself. I've tried a 3D space race game created with the new technology, and as awesome as it was, I think that bringing that experience into the film through a bonus track would form the perfect nexus between the film and gaming experience (in my humble opinion).

Article Author: Barbara Barnett

Barbara Barnett is Blogcritics co-executive editor and author of Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D.. Barbara writes on an everything from politics to technology to all things pop culture. …

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