Last week, a 17 year-old classic finished its second theatrical release, with a two week run with a total gross of $61.7 million, drawing in viewers of all ages, some of them Staples students. The Lion King’s second success’ key factor? 3D. Or was it?
For Christina Kelly ’12, who saw the movie with the extra dimension during its opening weekend, the 3D didn’t add much.
“The movie was great, obviously, because it’s the Lion King, but the 3D was pretty average,” Said Kelly, “It wasn’t the kind of 3D that people reach their hand out to try and grab something, even though they know it’s a screen. It was more on the unnoticeable side to me at times.”
Most critics agreed, but this didn’t stop the Lion King from becoming a box-office juggernaut that beat out other releases like Moneyball and Dolphin Tales.
The Lion King (3D)’s reign over the box office has been so lucrative, Disney is extending it, so the Lion King will be in theaters in three dimensions for two more weeks.
Despite the hype, many students at Staples were not very enthusiastic about this 3D rerelease. Brian VanGessel ’11 wasn’t quite as keen to see an old movie with added 3D.
“Using 3D just for marketing is a very low trick.” He said.
He thinks 3D should only be for select movies, with a lot of action and flashy special effects as their main selling point, not recycled pictures being reintroduced to ticket-buyers.
Melissa Mann ’14 was very opposed to going to spending the extra $5.00 to see movies like The Lion King in 3D, and 3D movies in general.
“They are a waste of money and a headache especially if you already have the Blu-Ray combo pack at home.” She said.
While most Staples students don’t appear very interested in the 3D aspect of the Lion King’s rerelease, Disney will be coverting more of their past animated films to 3D and putting them back in theaters, fan-favorites such as Monsters Inc, Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid.
It seems as if these new releases will be just as popular, as most students who saw the Lion King or wanted to see it were excited about these films being released once more in theaters, 3D or no.
“I’ll definitely see it,” said Allyssa McGahern ’14, “Finding Nemo is my life.”
