Samsung To Offer 3D Blu-rays of Shrek, Monsters Vs. Aliens; Plus More 3DTV News

Michael here. According to Reuters, Samsung has announced that anyone who buys one of its 2010 3D TVs - which are coming out this month - along with their 3D Blu-ray player will get a kit that includes viewing glasses and a 3D version of Monsters vs. Aliens.

They also stated that the Shrek series will be available in 3D in the second half of 2010.

Meanwhile, Sony announced that they will begin selling 3DTV's in Japan on June 10, and internationally soon after. Sony expects its 46-inch model, which includes two pairs of 3D glasses, to sell for 350,000 yen ($3,875). According to Reuters this is 52 percent more than its latest regular LCD TV with a comparable screen size.

Oh, and Panasonic will officially launch sales of its 50 inch 3DTV tomorrow at a Best Buy store in Manhattan. Whether it will be available at other stores tomorrow is unclear.

Every significant TV manufacturer will be bringing out their 3D TV's within the next few months. Now the question is when those 3D Blu-rays will arrive. Hopefully we hear announcements of titles like Beowulf, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Ice Age 3, Coraline, Journey 3D, Up and of course Avatar soon. It would be a shame to have those TVs out there without a good number of 3D Blu-rays. We know the technology is ready...now we just need to wait for the studios to make their moves.

The Top Ten 3D Movies Of 2009

Jim here. So what do you think - consensus on everybody's number 1? :-) I think so! Anyway, this list was due and I am sure others will want to voice their opinion as well so feel free to chime in with your top ten list too.

Here is mine in reverse order (Title - Studio | World Box Office | Tomatometer | Format - comment):

10. G-FORCE - Disney | $283m | 24% Fresh | CG / Live Action - A notable conversion effort.
9. THE FINAL DESTINATION - Warners | $153m | 28% Fresh | Live Action - Interesting seeing Death work in three dimensions.
8. DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Disney | $255m | 55% Fresh | CG MoCap - Visually quite stunning, though character's faces were soulless.
7. MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D - Lionsgate | $100m | 55% Fresh | Live Action - Very good revisit to the original horror.
6. MONSTERS VS. ALIENS - DWA | $382m | 72% Fresh | Animation - Not Dreamworks best, but far from worst. Expect much more with HTTYD.
5. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS - Sony | $195m | 85% Fresh | Animation - Excellent first outing in 3D animation for Sony. Impressed. Rivals DWA today.
4. CORALINE - Focus Features | $122m | 89% Fresh | Stop Motion - Henry Selick's vision and attention to details is astounding.
3. ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS - Fox | $888m | 45% Fresh | Animation - There is no doubting the worldwide popularity. Family Appeal.
2. UP - Pixar | $683m | 98% Fresh | Animation - A masterpiece of storytelling. 3D used well.
1. AVATAR - Fox | $760m, Still In Theaters | 83% Fresh | CG PerfCap / Live Action - Revolutionary Cinema. Nothing short of an event movie for this generation. A must see... twice.

Honorable Mention: TOY STORY 1 & 2 3D Conversions.
Worst of 2009: BATTLE FOR TERRA

There is no doubting AVATAR as the top 3D movie of 2009. It may be the top MOVIE of the past decade. I certainly believe it is. Pixar has a heckuva entry with UP because the story is typical Pixar and so is the visual quality. And ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS was great family fun AND it raked in the cash.

All in all, a superb year for 3D! I look forward to 2010 and all the surprises in store: ALICE IN WONDERLAND, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHREK FOREVER AFTER, TOY STORY 3, MEGAMIND, RAPUNZEL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SAW VII, TRON LEGACY to name a few.

Stay tuned for the 2010 3D Movie Viewing Guide! Now what is your top ten list for 3D in 2009?

Roger Ebert Vomits Forth More Bile - Just Doesn't Get Modern 3D AT ALL

Jim here. Well Roger Ebert has again attacked modern 3D by spewing more ignorance of the technological marvel: "3-D is a distraction and an annoyance. Younger moviegoers may think they like it because they've been told to, and picture quality is usually far from their minds. But for anyone who would just like to be left alone to see the darned thing, like me, it's a constant nudge in the ribs saying never mind the story, just see how neat I look."

What this solely tells me is he can't get over how profoundly 3D affects him. He can't shake the experience! I will submit that the first few 3D movies you see will have you thinking about the beauty of the format, but as you experience more and more of it - and if the movie is done right - you will forget that 3D is even there. THAT is the magic.

Unfortunately it seems all the magic has left Mr. Ebert. It really is too bad. One of the most respected movie critics of all time simply cannot come to grips with what is now being proven to be the future of cinema and the next step toward total immersion in the movies.

I have said it before and I will say it again if he continues to voice his ignorance of 3D: Perhaps it is time to retire. Retire before there is real embarrassment, because in my mind if he continues down this path he may very well be ruining his mammoth legacy to the entertainment industry and present himself as, well, a dinosaur who didn't really know extinction was possible.

SOLID Opening for "Monsters vs. Aliens"!

Jim here. Hey MONSTERS VS. ALIENS had a wicked opening night Friday with estimates from BoxOfficeMojo claiming $16,700,000. Not too bad - actuals could be higher as the 3D premium is hard to nail at times with estimates.

I am still sticking with my $66m weekend but hey, so what if I am aiming high? This is a damn good movie so get out and witness history.

I saw it Friday night (Michael got the crew's premiere!) and I was floored. The visuals were technically a work of art. Phil McNally and his team have really set the bar high for future animations - including Pixar's UP.

Throughout the whole movie there were only 2 sight gags and they were tastfully done. One was used, I am sure, to just MAKE SURE you knew this was a 3D movie and it had the required result. I flinched. YES. They caught me. I won't say where it is, but after you see it you will know.

Anyway, the remainder of the movie was stunning and solid. 3D was used tastfully and effectively. Sure the story could use some work but it is clearly aimed at families with young kids so leeway is surely given.

My rating for MvsA? 3.5 / 5. Almost a four, but I don't use 3.75 / 5. Or did I? What the hey, 3.75 / 5. Bottomline? See this movie.

Quick Post: "Monsters vs. Aliens" Opens Huge In Russia

Jim here. According to Variety, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS has opening very well in Russia and Ukraine markets earning $6.2 million from 644 locations in those smaller markets - Katzenberg wanted to take advantage of their kid's spring break so it makes loads of sense to do this.

MvsA was the fourth highest grossing animation of all time in Russia - and take note that Russia does not have a great 3D screen penetration as of yet. Heck neither do we. Suffice to say there are far fewer 3D screens in Russia and we all know that the more 3D screens the better for revenues.

From Variety: "Jeffrey has always been very cognizant about having a world view, which is 'let's do the best thing for the movie and release it in the most commercially beneficial time we can,' " said Paramount prexy of domestic distribution Andrew Cripps. "To miss out on a weeklong holiday doesn't make sense."

Katzenberg has made similar moves in the past, including opening 2004's"Shark Tale" first in Australia."

So far so good. Read the whole Variety article here. Looks like a good time for all this weekend!

Just How Big Will Dreamworks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens" Open?

Hey guys - Jim here. Question for you. If you were a betting person and had to wager on just how much MONSTERS VS. ALIENS would make this opening weekend - what would be your estimate?

I am saying that MvsA will take home $66.2 million this weekend based on a number of things but mainly that the they have 2000 screens set to change a bit more for 3D and 7000 screens total. I am loosely using KUNG FU PANDA as a barometer and factored in time of year and that they are both original ideas and not part of a franchise (yet!).

In the end - it will be a massive. Hey I could be wrong and the movie blasts off past $70m or it could disappoint somewhat and hit what THR has said it will do - $50m. I think that is on the low end.

Either way, I think the range of $50 million to $70 million is VERY nice territory and record setting for a 3D movie. Can't wait for the numbers! Looks pretty positive judging by the poll we are running on the left - 83% of MarketSaw readers want to see it at some point (as of today). If it performs well, it will bring viewers in earlier to see the animation! :-)

OH - And when you take in the movie, make note of what trailers are shown in front of it and whether they are in 3D or 2D! APPRECIATED! Let us know right here...

3D Dark Ages vs. 3D Renaissance

Jim here. Well we are about to get inundated with magazines with the all too familiar anaglyph 3D format from none other than Entertainment Weekly (you saw their online contributions here already), Fortune, People, Sports Illustrated and Time. They are all using the same format that was used for the Super Bowl MONSTERS VS. ALIENS commercial - you know the one that does not do the movie any justice whatsoever.

Yeah that sounds agressive I know. Hey, I understand that ColorCode 3-D is just trying to make a go of it. But, sorry, this is the 3D Renaissance we are having right now, not the 3D Dark Ages. It is too confusing for audiences that are viewing the material thinking: "Why on earth would I pay to see that 3D? It's giving me a headache after only a few minutes!"

I will say this again and again and again: This ColorCode technology is NOT what we will be seeing in the theaters for MONSTERS VS. ALIENS or any of the modern 3D lineup listed here. Far from it. It is so far removed from the technology that I actually think it is doing more harm than good. Destroying the modern 3D brand if you will.

From the ColorCode press release: "3-D images will be supporting the stories and over 16 million 3-D glasses have been produced to be distributed together with the magazines. The 3-D system used to make this possible is called ColorCode 3-D and is the same system used for the 3-D commercials during this year’s Super Bowl when over 130 million ColorCodeViewers (3-D glasses) were distributed to American households.

The magazines will focus on their respective readers’ interest covering the latest news and upcoming trends in 3-D as an important part of visual communication. ColorCode 3-D has made it possible to visualize these stories with images that will stand out in full-color 3-D using the attached ColorCodeViewer. The images will also be fully viewable without the 3-D glasses but then as ordinary flat images."

I know many of you have already read my negative opinions on keeping anaglyph directly connected with modern 3D movies. This is for new readers that are just catching up now. Remember that when you go see MONSTERS VS. ALIENS or A CHRISTMAS CAROL or AVATAR this year, the experience is going to blow you away! It will not be the red and blue or red and yellow ordeal we go through with these anaglyph glasses. Trust me. You will LOVE it.

Monsters Vs. Aliens Review!

Hi everyone, Michael here.  I had the privilege of attending Dreamworks' crew screening of Monsters Vs. Aliens yesterday at the 3000+ seat Gibson Ampitheatre at Universal Studios, and my first impression soon after the film started was that I had never before seen 3D this immersive and effectively woven into the fabric of a movie.

As many of you know, Monsters Vs. Aliens is the first 3D Dreamworks release, as well as the first major animated movie to be designed with 3D in mind from story conception through final rendering.  The result of this design philosophy is evident on-screen: watching Monsters Vs. Aliens is often a dazzling experience.  At one point, a wave of debris particles from an explosion engulfs you.  At another, a character on a floating platform seems to enter the theater, buzzing in front of your face, but in a way that makes you believe that you and he are sharing the same space--you are transported into the world of Monsters Vs. Aliens, and at the same time that world is brought into yours.

A huge amount of credit goes to Phil "Captain 3D" McNally, stereoscopic supervisor on MvA, and his team.  Not only is the 3D technically perfect (there is never a moment where I was taken out of the experience by a jarring 3D cut or awkward shot), but the use of stereo space to aid in the storytelling is incredibly artful.  Whether it is an emotional, dramatic scene involving the main character, Susan, or an action sequence in the villain's spaceship, the 3D serves to heighten the emotional reaction of the viewer.  I could tell that the filmmakers put a ton of thought into the stereospace of every shot.

The story was a pleasant surprise, too.  The trailers don't really do justice to the human element in the film.  Case in point: The character Susan (aka Ginormica) is the central character, and gives the film its emotional and narrative anchor.  The supporting monsters are all hilarious, especially Bob, the indestructible gelatinous mass, who somehow bears an uncanny resemblance to his voice actor, Seth Rogan.

Before the screening Jeffrey Katzenberg came out and thanked the audience of crew members, telling them that they, through their work on the film, are trailblazers in their own right, having helped push modern 3D into existence.

And with Monsters Vs. Aliens, it is clear:  3D is HERE!

Free Upgrade To 3D Ticket For "Monsters vs. Aliens"

Jim here. Hey, I have discovered a free upgrade to 3D for MONSTERS VS. ALIENS if you are a Bank of America customer! Thanks to MarkoMark for sending in the tip.

To check out the deal, click here. Can you get the deal if you are NOT a customer? I am sure you are breaking the spirit of the deal and probably the rules and regulations if you do.

I think this is a GREAT way to promote your company in a useful way. 3D is the premiere experience in today's theaters and while most don't mind paying the extra money for a 3D ticket (studies have shown this), it is still nice to see this happening. And everybody wins.

Awesome job Bank of America! It is not often I get to say something nice about a bank... :-)

LA Premiere Of "Monsters vs. Aliens": March 22

Jim here - Well it is almost upon us! The premiere of Dreamworks Animation's MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is in 10 days:

WHEN: Sunday, March 22, 2009, Promptly at 11:00 a.m.
Arrivals begin at 10:00 a.m.
Press Check-in begins at: 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: GIBSON AMPHITHEATRE
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

WHO: Cast members and filmmakers attending include: Reese
Witherspoon (Ginormica), Seth Rogen (B.O.B.), Will Arnett
(The Missing Link), Hugh Laurie (Dr. Cockroach), Rainn Wilson
(Galaxhar), Keifer Sutherland (General W.R. Monger), Paul Rudd
(Derek Dietl), Amy Poehler (Computer), Conrad Vernon and Rob
Letterman (Directors), Lisa Stewart (Producer), Latifa Ouaou
(Co-producer), Jill Hopper (Co-producer), Susan Rogers
(Associate Producer)

Celebrity attending include: Jason Bateman, Breckin Meyer,
Andy Serkis (Gollum), Jennette McCurdy (iCarly), Milly and
Becky Rosso (Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Chloe Moretz (Bolt)

ABOUT "MONSTERS VS ALIENS":
When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, The President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

"Monsters vs. Aliens" is DreamWorks Animation's first InTru 3D Movie. A 2D version will also be available.

RELEASE DATE: March 27th, 2009

This film has been rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language.

Man - can't wait for this one. It has been a long while coming, but we are looking at potentially the first blockbuster 3D movie and I am stoked!

Source: Paramount

POLL: When Will You Check Out "Monsters vs. Aliens"?

Jim here. Got a quick poll for you. There has been TONS of promotion for Dreamworks Animation's MONSTERS VS. ALIENS including the much discussed Super Bowl 3D ad.

Jeffrey Katzenberg has been one of the most vocal industry leaders evangelizing 3D out there and I must say he is doing a bang up job. We would not be as far along as we are without him, his work promoting 3D and his commitment to make all future animation tentpoles in 3D. But how does that affect MvsA? Will there be enough substance to back up the promotion? Will it translate into YOU going to see the movie?

What about it? When ARE you going to check out MvsA? Have you heard enough about the movie to be stoked about it? Select your choice in the poll on the left column!

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS openings wide in both 2D and 3D theaters March 27th.

New "Monsters vs. Aliens" Poster And Photos Online

Hey guys- Jim here. Dreamworks Animation recently released some more MONSTERS VS. ALIENS promo material and yours truly got the goods for you. One of readers actually alerted me to them! Ahhh... I forget who just this minute - you can remind me in the comments section please!

Anyway - I think these images are starting to plant the seeds of deeper interest in many people as they are getting into more and more of the action sequences and I have to say - they look very interesting!

The talent in the movie is outstanding of course with Rogen, Witherspoon, Arnett, Sutherland etc but with this movie it is going to come down to story. Can Dreamworks pull off another KUNG FU PANDA?

What if KUNG FU PANDA was made in 3D (almost was apparently, but didn't quite make the 2D-3D cutoff schedule)? Think of all the extra revenue that DWA would have enjoyed because of the 3D premium. Wow.

I don't know about you, but when I go see a 3D movie, I see it at least twice if not three of four times. Sure I run a 3D movie blog, but dang it if I don't discover something new and exciting with every trip. KUNG FU PANDA would have been awesome in 3D. And of course it's sequel definitely will be so I am pumped about that.

There is a lot of opportunity in MONSTERS VS. ALIENS to really making a 3D killing - for example the city destruction scenes with Ginormica and the Golden Gate Bridge scene with huge honking insect. What is that - some sort of ray beam coming out of that alien's (ship?) eye?

Whatever it is, I truly think DWA is going to be making a statement with this movie. I know a lot of you a Pixar fans (for good reason!) but if you will notice a strange thing happening this year - KUNG FU PANDA is winning awards while WALL-E is, ummm... maybe not. So while I am looking forward to Pixar's 3D UP this year, I have MvsA ranked higher in my must see list. Dreamworks Animation has come a long way in the past couple years and I think will be giving Pixar a run for the money in the near future.

But HEY! We are all one big happy stereoscopic family right? I mean Disney Animation, Dreamworks Animation and Pixar have all stated that from now on, only 3D CGI movies will be coming from their studios. So we all win.

So what do you think? Does Dreamworks Animation have the goods again as it did with KUNG FU PANDA? I am betting they do.

If You Missed The "Monsters vs. Aliens" Commercial During The Super Bowl...

Jim here. If you missed the 3D commercials during the Super Bowl, you can check them out right here! Let me know what you think...

Dreamworks Animation's MONSTERS VS. ALIENS




Disney Pixar's UP




...and the SoBe / Dreamworks Animation Commercial (Shot by 3ality Digital who also shot CHUCK in 3D showing tonight on NBC):

Very Big Pics Of A Very Big Woman: Ginorimica

Jim here. Thanks to Colin over at Get The Big Picture for giving me a heads up on these (I think he has a thing for tall women anyway). You can see the ultra high res shots on his site.

So Dreamworks Animation is getting more serious about showing off their MONSTERS VS. ALIENS handiwork - If you look at the high res shot of Ginormica (Reese Witherspoon) and The Missing Link (Will Arnett) you will see just how detailed their interpretation of human skin is - and I must say it is very detailed.

After watching the video on my post about photo realism, it is kinda different to see this level of detail in what is clearly a stylized attempt at representing the human body. It looks GOOD mind you, clearly they haven't crossed over into something weird or anything - to the contrary. But it does seem to be getting close to the maximum amount of realism within a stylized frame - if that makes any sense.

DWA has clearly spent a lot of time on this movie. It shows. Can't wait to see the final result!

Got Your "Monsters Vs. Aliens" 3D Glasses Yet?

Jim here. Thought I would bring some more attention to the upcoming 3D commercial during halftime of the Superbowl.

A good friend of mine, Jason Bayless of Zombie Popcorn sent me some images of what the glasses look like. Interesting that they have to label which side is left and right! I guess there is no way around providing these to the swarms of folks who have never seen how glasses kinda drape over ears to hold them in place...

You can get your free 3D glasses at these selected locations: Kroger, Ralphs, Frys, Safeway, Supervalu, Albertsons, Food Lion, A&P, Pathmark, Coburns, Fairway, Fresh Brands, Hy Vee, Nash Finch, Roundy's, Winn Dixie, K-Mart, Dollar General, Hess, CVS, Meijer (1/31) and Target (1/31).

As much as all the effort (and money) that Dreamworks Animation is putting into the promotion of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is well intentioned, I hope that they do succeed in this campaign. The movie looks great after all...

I do recommend checking out their MvsA site here. They have done an excellent job with it - definitely wasn't just thrown together like some movie sites. Hope you get to see the 3D commercial! Don't forget that NBC is also airing CHUCK in 3D the next day, so don't throw them away.

New "Monsters Vs. Aliens" Posters Hit The Interwebs!

Jim here. Have a look at these new posters (via JoBlo) - characters that obviously stand out in the movie: Dr. Cockroach is played by Hugh Laurie, Ginormica is played by Reese Witherspoon, Gallaxhar by Rainn Wilson and The Missing Link by Will Arnett.

You can easily see the homage to the 1950's with the font being used.

I am not overly thrilled with the posters to tell you the truth. Nothing I didn't expect to see after seeing the B.L.O.B. poster back in December. Just calling 'em as I see 'em. No doubt the characters will be endearing, but I guess I am looking for something to catch me off guard about MvsA... you know?

Maybe the Superbowl commercial will spice it up a little :-)

New "Monsters vs. Aliens" Behind The Scenes Featurette AND What You Can Expect...

Jim here. Take a look at this new behind the scenes featurette from MONSTERS VS. ALIENS: "The Future of Filmmaking".

Pay particular attention to the scenes in which Phil McNally and his team are using their handheld, 3D Virtual Camera to experiment and achieve the best viewing angles for the movie's audience.

See how they can simply move the camera and alter the angle of what is being seen on the screen? That is because the software has captured all known angles from which to work from - now that is powerful. James Cameron is doing the same thing - only with live actors! In either case, the director is able to go back in post-production and alter anything he wishes: angles, lenses, depth - it really is amazing.

Let me take the time now to really thank Jeff Katzenberg for the evangelism that he is putting into 3D. Sure he has a large invested interest in the format, but a lot of it is coming from a different place - vision.

When I started MarketSaw back in late 2006, I knew 3D was going to take off and I was surprised that no one else was really reporting on it. I just so happen to love the format (even the old anaglyph glasses) but to have modern technology deliver on the promise of immersive 3D - I had to be a part of it.

So Katzenberg and I have something in common - as does Cameron/Pace and even Zemeckis; a passion and vision for 3D. Mark my words, the movies that you will REALLY want to go see initially are the result of the passionate filmmakers in these first few years. While others catch up, they have been toiling away with the processes and equipment to come up with today's results. It should be mind boggling. MONSTERS VS. ALIENS should be a home run. The 4 P's of marketing are all addressed: Product (Awesome looking movie; seemingly intriguing story), Price (a little extra for 3D but worth it), Place (New 3D theaters are springing up everywhere) and Promotion (Superbowl - need I say more).

But I will add a last P to that mix: Passion. Look for it in the studios and directors and you will stand a better chance of seeing something memorable and not just entertaining. Disney is another good example of a studio jumping with passion into 3D.

As said, Dreamworks Animation is going full out on the marketing for the movie by taking out a Superbowl ad and distributing close to 150 million 3D glasses across the country. Awareness is key and while I may not particularly like how the marketing is being done, the need exists. So my bottom line is: Go Dreamworks!

Oh and Phil, I finally have an image of you to put up on MarketSaw! Reclusive fellow aren't you? :-) Speaking of passion for 3D - Dreamworks Animation is lucky to have you.

Update: Much Higher Quality Anaglyph Glasses ...And Why We Should Be Worried

**SAME DAY UPDATE: I just spoke with someone in the know from Dreamworks Animation and he stated: "There is no plan that I know of to use the colorcode glasses in the theater. MvA will be shown in 3D via Imax, Dolby and RealD. I dont know if there are plans to show it in other ways outside of the US"

- So there is at least one item out of the way - no "colorcode" anaglyph 3D theatrical release of MvsA in North America. That helps a bit.

Apparently much higher quality anaglyph glasses will be used by Dreamworks Animation during the Super Bowl MONSTERS VS. ALIENS commerical - I'll believe it when I see it. It is still color separated. The technology is done through Intel InTru 3D and ColorCode 3-D.

Looks like 125 to 150 million of these glasses will be distributed through 25,000 Pepsi retail locations. That's right 125 to 150 MILLION.

Katzenberg was quoted by AP as saying “...perhaps the biggest media-advertising event in history” and that the campaign “involved tens of millions of dollars.”

I am literally stunned. I am also a marketer and let me tell you that if I had that kind of wallet for promotion, it would be totally different. It will certainly get people talking - but it had better be the right KIND of talking for the sake of not just MvsA, but modern 3D.

One of their saving graces is that they are handing out 1950's style 3D glasses and the movie is based during that era - so there is a tie in. But it is a weak one, as many will remember the 1950's 3D as BAD. Certainly not in the same league as modern 3D.

Viewers can "pre-book" their glasses by calling 800-646-2904 to make sure they get them. I called this number today and they won't be ready to take your information for another week however.

Apparently viewers without the glasses will see an almost normal screen while viewing the commercial through this updated tech for anaglyph. But Katzenberg also said it still doesn't come close to the 3D quality that viewers will see when it is released with modern 3D in theaters. I hope this turns out for the best, but I have my sincerest concerns.

Viewers will get on-screen displays telling them how and when to view the 3D content during the Super Bowl. But that's not all. NBC will also be airing a 3D version of "Chuck" featuring a guest appearance by Jerome Bettis the following day. The on-screen messaging will also tell them to "Don't Chuck Your Glasses" in support of viewers reusing them for "Chuck".

See the update above! Now word is leaking that you will be able to use these glasses when you go to your theater to watch MvsA!?! What is that all about? Just a rumor? If it is just a rumor, DWA better get going on some damage control. I am on the horn right now to try and get some answers from some folks over at DWA. Perhaps they will be using this new Intel technology to show the movie on the older 2D screens with no modern digital and/or 3D projector upgrades to help build up the number of actual 3D showings? That is a possibility that makes a bit of sense as the modern 3D rollout has been slowed down with the credit crunch of late. This would allow more theaters to show it in 3D - but a full movie with these glasses? Ouch. And they certainly wouldn't be able to charge a premium price for the anagylph experience. See the update above!

I hope Dreamworks Animation and their partners know what they are doing. There is a heckuva lot of momentum now for 3D and we don't need any steps backward now. If it works, it will work spectacularly. If it fails... well it won't be pretty. The biggest thing they have to get across when this commercial is aired is that this is NOT THE THEATER EXPERIENCE! Even Katzenberg said this. It has to be crystal to viewers. They really have to hold them by the hand and walk them through this and manage expectations. To top it off, viewers will be further entrenched in thinking that this is the new 3D because this is a new anaglyph technology with names like Intel being thrown around - very confusing for some I would imagine. Then they re-use it again for "Chuck"? It sounds VERY risky.

I for one, am definitely hoping they pull it off. It is a massive world-wide audience and will create massive awareness. But they had better know just what that massive awareness will eventually turn out to be!

"Monsters vs Aliens" Trailer Being Shown During Superbowl

**UPDATE: January 5 - Here is the TV clip! Thanks for the heads up Timo...



Apparently during the Colts - Chargers game, NBC showed commercials for Dreamworks Animation's MONSTERS VS ALIENS trailer which they will air during the Superbowl on February 1. There will be a special distribution of 3D glasses for the event through select Pepsi and Sobe kiosks - and we don't know where these kiosks will be. You can count on these glasses being the old style red and blue anaglyphs which if you ask me is a mediocre idea.

Why? Because this is NOT an anaglyph movie and you will literally have millions around the world suddenly think that is! Unless they have some sort of ace up their sleeve to effectively show that the modern 3D technology being used to show MvsA is far superior than your father's 3D - then this commercial will do far more harm than good.

I am not impressed. I mean AT ALL. This is the second most important 3D movie in 2009 and they come up with red and blue glasses as the big marketing spin? Come. On.

That being said, what would I do in their situation to get the word out? How about setting up full 3D projection equipment at the Superbowl in a dozen locations and have the public sit down and view it in REAL 3D? Then you capture their reactions LIVE during the commercial time. How they move there heads and what they have to say at the end of it. THAT is gold. It will maintain the fact that this is MODERN 3D - no misunderstandings. It will create awareness. It will build anticipation to see the movie yourself in 3D. And it feeds off the energy of the Superbowl.

But thats just me. I know some folks over at DWA and I invite them to contact me to explain what they have up their sleeve because at first glance, this looks dismal.

For the record, I think MvsA is going to kick serious butt at the box office - but let's get creative with those precious marketing dollars shall we? Or hire me on as a consultant. That I would enjoy.

Image courtesy of TVByTheNumbers

Behind The Scenes: "Monsters Vs. Aliens" Featurette

Jim here. Take a look at this MONSTERS VS. ALIENS featurette courtesy of Entertainment Tonight via GetTheBigPicture - The amassed voice talent for this movie is amazing!

The movie should be a hilarious throw back to the old monster movies and chalk full of little sight gags that those that grew up in the era should get a kick over.

I have to say that it looks like Dreamworks Animation really has their act together producing stereoscopic 3D. Their workstations look damn inviting! And just pop on the active shutter glasses and you can view their material in 3D. The image shows a guy referring to a large monitor in the background with storyboard images displayed while he creates the scene to reproduce it.

Cool to see the actors in the sound booths recording their sequences! These actors don't show up to work in their pajamas do they? I mean they could. No one sees them in the movie - just their voices, but you know they could be. Heck they could be wearing anything they want. Or nothing. Nice gig if you can get it.