If you thought you were going to get away without seeing a Monster Trucks 3D review, then you've got another thing coming! You asked for it, and since we love our fans here at Cinema Blend, you've got it! We took this family fun flick for another spin, only this time we went the extra mile to answer that question you've all been waiting for, "To 3D, Or Not To 3D!"
We've already covered whether the movie itself is worth your time, so if you want to see the Monster Trucks review, you can go to read that here. Otherwise, buckle up and read our findings on whether you should spend the extra ticket money on some 3D shades, or if you'd be better off sinking that money into a custom truck fit for your own favorite monster. Glasses on, because it's time to go!
Kids movies are almost always perfect for 3D effects... at least, you'd think so, judging on how many of them are released with the option. But a movie where trucks are zooming about, monsters are clowning around, and big open fields of dirt and rocks are just waiting to get kicked up is undoubtedly a good fit for the third dimensional treatment. Monster Trucks actually feels like it belongs in the format.
The release date for Monster Trucks had been delayed over the course of two years, so obviously the 3D efforts would be scrutinized like a hawk, seeing as the film had some extra time to get it right. Well, with one significant deficiency, and some minor infractions leading to some points off, this 3D conversion was actually pretty well plotted out.
It's a common gripe among 3D connoisseurs that there's usually not enough objects being thrown off of the screen and at the audience. Monster Trucks isn't one of those movies though, as it gets everything from dirt and rocks spilling from under the tires of Creech and Tripp's new ride to various explosions and liquid gags are projected at the audience with great aplomb. Much like the 3D conversion efforts on xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, the projecting effects are outstanding.
Unfortunately, the depth in Monster Trucks doesn't scale the same heights that the projectile objects do. But there's still a fair amount of depth in the picture on display, in particular the clear division of spatial reasoning. The backgrounds are a little static, but objects and people all pop off of the background, as well as each other, in order to create a fantastic experience. Even the film's title card manages to separate itself from the truck it's being displayed on.
The one massive drawback that sadly makes a dent in the otherwise stellar 3D conversion efforts to Monster Trucks is the lack of brightness in the picture. In its better moments, the film is mostly grey with minor pops of color. But on the worst side of the spectrum is a particularly dark 3D presentation that looks especially muddled when you take your glasses off. Your mileage may vary on this factor, as theaters may or may not calibrate their projector properly after switching from 2D to 3D screenings and vice versa.
Speaking of taking your glasses off during the film, if you remove your glasses to examine the blur of the picture for Monster Trucks, you'll see that there's a rich degree of blur in effect. While some films have problems with blurring the picture properly in close ups, this film manages to blur just enough of the picture when characters are in frame to give them an extra 3D advantage. It could be a little blurrier, especially when it comes to conveying depth, but it's certainly not a total failure of conversion.
Watching 3D films can be a bit taxing on the eyes if the conversion or filming process isn't done the right way. Monster Trucks doesn't have any issues with nausea or any particular moments where the 3D wonks out. Rather, the health issues come from a bit of strain, due to the film's darker tint through 3D glasses. But there was only a couple of moments where it felt a little hard on the eyes, so thankfully the issues present don't derail the experience.
Believe it or not, Monster Trucks is mostly worth a 3D viewing. Though it's advised you find a theater you trust to calibrate their projectors properly, as the lack of brightness may sour you on the otherwise well done 3D conversion efforts for the film.
Click to visit our full To 3D Or Not To 3D Archive.
