Mars Attacks! in 3D (Never Released)

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I've recently been adding to my Blu-ray collection and picked up the 8-disc set of Tim Burton's Film Collection, which includes Mars Attacks! (1996). Originally shot on 35mm film using Panavision Panaflex Platinum and Panaflex DII cameras, paired with Primo Anamorphic lenses. The Blu-ray released in High Definition 1080p with the VC-1 codec, accurately framed at 2.40:1. A few of Burton's films have received a 3D conversion treatment, but Mars Attacks! has only ever been released in 2D. So how'd I watch this movie in 3D? (Keep reading!)

Audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio English 5.1, with additional Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in French, German, Italian, and Castellano, plus Dolby Stereo 2.0 in Czech and Thai. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix is dominated by the front soundstage, with slight support from the rear surround channels for occasional ambient and directional effects. The soundtrack/sound design specifically of Mars Attacks! was amazing! It had depth and pulsating effects, and created that eerie classic sci-fi alien atmosphere!

Now, the visual experience:

I watched the Blu-ray disc on a 55" Sony Bravia XBR-900B 4KTV through a PS4. This particular model of TV features a few premium capabilities that deepen the viewing experience.
Active 3D: One of the last released models with active 3D (Delivers full 1080p or 4K resolution to each eye.)
4K X-Reality PRO Engine: A video processing chip inside the XBR-900B. It uses a special internal pattern database to analyze textures, borders, and colors in the 1080p signal, then cleans up noise and adds matching pixels to fill out the 4K screen seamlessly.
2D-3D Simulation: The XBR-900B has Picture Settings that convert a 2D signal into stereoscopic 3D! (This is how I've been watching classically released 2D films in 3D!)


Overall experience:

It was quite impressive to watch Mars Attacks! with an upscaled 4K 3D visual experience! There was so much more depth to the shots, the flying saucers were popping out of the TV, and the stylized effects in the film really lend it to be experienced in a 3D format! A few of Burton's newer films received the 3D post-processing treatment, but I think his (and other director's) earlier works deserve a revisit and re-release for a brand new 3D immersion experience! Or at the very least, technology should continue implementing this 2D-3D feature (which was very impressive), to offer a stunning new visual to our favorite classic (or new released) films!

I also watched Alice in Wonderland (released in 3D Blu-ray format), and many other 3D released Blu-rays to have a reference of comparison. While those releases might have a few shots that "pop" out a bit more intentionally, the 2D-3D conversion through the TV alone was still 85%-90% "as good" in relation to depth and subject separation!

Watch my YouTube video discussing the experience and comment if you think TV manufacturers should continue implementing 3D in their TVs! 


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