Predator Badlands 3D Movie Review

November 08, 2025 by Jacob Scarberry in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, predator badlands, predator, predator badlands 3d, predator badlands 3-d, predator movies, 3D Movies, 3D films, 2025

Predator Badlands 3D Movie Review

By Jacob Scarberry

3D

With the only previous Predator 3D release being the notoriously bad post-conversion of the 1987 classic (back in 2010), I was worried this one might follow suit. Fortunately, this new 3D presentation looks really nice — though it could’ve been a bit stronger in places.

Predator Badlands opens with a terrific shot from inside a cave looking out toward the horizon — the cavern’s edges stretch toward the viewer while the skyline fades into the distance, showing off impressive 3-D depth. That same sense of dimension continues throughout the movie.

There are several fun pop-out moments — debris flying toward the audience, weapons aimed straight at the viewer — that make you instinctively want to duck. Some nighttime scenes naturally flatten things a bit, but even then, there’s still a solid sense of depth. I only noticed a couple brief instances of ghosting, and only on the subtitles.

Overall, Predator Badlands has an impressive 3D presentation that’s absolutely worth watching in that format.

Final 3D Score: 7/10*

* Previously this score was 8/10. Upon further consideration the reviewer has changed his mind and lowered it to a 7.

Movie

The Predator franchise has had a rocky 30-plus-year run — starting with a fantastic first film and followed by sequels of wildly varying quality. But after the surprisingly good Prey in 2022, it feels like the series has finally found its footing again. Disney made the right move by keeping Prey director Dan Trachtenberg on board for Predator Badlands, because this movie is genuinely great.

The story follows Dek, the so-called “runt” of the Yautja tribe. Ordered by their father to be killed for being weak, Dek is spared by his brother Kwei, who lets him escape to another planet, Genna — only for their father to slaughter Kwei in the name of tradition. Determined to earn his way back home, Dek sets out to claim the impossible trophy known as the Kalisk. Genna, however, is far more dangerous than he expects.

While struggling to survive the planet’s brutal environment, Dek encounters a legless android named Thia, who reluctantly becomes his partner on this perilous quest. I won’t spoil what happens next, but let’s just say a surprisingly cute merchandising opportunity joins the mix — creating an unlikely but endearing little “family.”

I’m not gonna lie — I was genuinely surprised by how good this film was. Even after Prey, I didn’t expect Disney to actually deliver another solid Predator entry, but here we are. The performances are strong all around, with Elle Fanning doing a solid job as Thia (even if her slightly grating tone seems intentional for the character).

Jeff Cutter’s cinematography is fantastic — shot with older lenses that give the movie a cinematic flair and some stylish lens flares — while making New Zealand look otherworldly in the process. The score by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch is another standout, and the sound mixing deserves serious awards attention. The editing keeps the pacing tight with no unnecessary fluff.

Sure, the story is fairly predictable — the “young warrior rises up against the odds” formula — but it smartly flips expectations by making the Predator the hero instead of the villain. A few CGI elements don’t quite hold up, but there are also some truly impressive effects, especially the entirely computer-generated mandibles, which look fantastic.

Overall, Predator: Badlands is a strong, worthy addition to the franchise — entertaining, well-made, and hopefully just the beginning of a new era for Predator.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website :

https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/predator-badlands

ParaNorman 3D Movie Review ( Remastered 2025 Edition )

October 26, 2025 by Jacob Scarberry in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, ParaNorman, animated movies

ParaNorman 3D Movie Review

( Remastered 2025 Edition )

By Jacob Scarberry

3D

Another year, another Laika 3D remaster. Last year’s remaster of Coraline was fantastic (even from the neck-breaking front row I was stuck in) — a real treat for the spooky season. I had high hopes for this 3D remaster, but sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment.

The biggest issue is the lack of consistent pop-outs, despite so many opportunities — from particles and storm effects to limbs and objects entering the 4th wall, and the ghastly wraiths haunting the world of ParaNorman. When pop-outs did occur, they were a lot of fun: the zombies’ first appearance as they charge straight toward Norman, the climax with sharp tree spikes bursting from the ground, and a few other scattered (bugs flying out) moments throughout.

The strongest aspect of the 3D is its excellent sense of depth — the environments look fantastic and immersive. Unfortunately, noticeable ghosting appears in several scenes, which knocks the overall experience down a notch.

It’s still an enjoyable 3D presentation overall, but mild compared to Coraline’s remaster — and on its own merits, the 3D in ParaNorman feels fairly weak.

Final 3D Score: 6/10

Movie

What do you get when you mix The Sixth Sense, The Goonies, Hocus Pocus, The Monster Squad, and Romero’s Deadtrilogy? You get a wonderfully entertaining stop-motion animated classic that may not reach the heights of Laika’s previous film Coraline but stands tall as a classic in its own right.

The story follows misunderstood Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), an outcast who can see the ghosts of Blithe Hollow’s former residents. Even his family doesn’t fully understand him — except for his dearly departed grandmother, who still spends time with him — and his friend and fellow outcast Neil (Tucker Albrizzi). Things take a dark turn when Norman begins seeing terrifying visions of the town’s past, which leads to a major freak-out during the annual school play about the town’s witch-hunting history.

Norman’s estranged uncle, Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman, in an all-too-brief role), warns him about a yearly ritual meant to quell the witch’s curse. Norman must perform it before sundown — or the town will face the witch’s wrath. Joined by a ragtag group of family and friends, Norman sets out to end the three-century-old curse once and for all.

When I think of animated horror films for families, I usually think of Hotel Transylvania — fun, but completely safe. ParaNorman, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to mix humor with real menace and emotional weight. Though ParaNorman first hit theaters back in 2012, it’s aged like a fine wine — its themes, humor, and craftsmanship feel just as sharp and relevant today as they did over a decade ago. Kids need more films like this — ones that balance scares, laughs, and meaningful themes without talking down to their audience.

The animation is stunning. Laika’s stop-motion craftsmanship is second to none: every frame is packed with intricate details in the sets, costumes, and expressive character animation. The cinematography beautifully captures the autumnal New England atmosphere, with warm lighting and even subtle touches like sunlight glowing through the characters’ translucent skin. The script is sharp and funny, and directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler handle the material with confidence and heart.

If there’s one flaw, it’s that the movie takes a little while to get going — but once it does, it’s a nonstop festival of frights and delights. It deserves a permanent place in your annual Halloween rotation for generations to come.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website :

https://www.laika.com/our-films/paranorman

Chainsaw Man Rez Arc 3D Movie Review

October 25, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Anime, Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man Rez Arc

3D Movie Review

Written by Adolph Vega

I watched Chainsaw Man in laser 3D projection, and it was gorgeous. Seeing this film on the big screen was absolutely worth it. I never would have thought an anime like this could work in 3D, but I was pleasantly surprised by how excellent the 3D implementation is. The art design perfectly complements the 3D aspect, and the layering is truly amazing — some of the best I’ve seen in any animated format.

3D depth is the real star here. This is a masterclass in separating visual elements, giving the film a sense of scale and immersion that elevates the story. The unique blend of 2D and CGI-style animation works beautifully, with each frame crafted to highlight depth and texture.

A great example of this is how trees are handled — in 2D, they’re just flat textures, but in 3D, they appear as multiple layers of foliage. The anime character models look fascinating in 3D — the layered hair, subtle facial depth, and contours give them a true sense of dimension, making the designs feel fully realized even though the animation style appears flat. Some standout sequences include the dream, pool, car battle, and fireworks scenes — all extremely impressive in 3D without giving away spoilers. The second half of the film is action-packed, and that’s where the 3D truly shines.

Sadly, 3D pop is rare — that’s the only thing holding it back from perfection. When those pop-out moments do happen, they’re phenomenal and deliver that true “reach-out-and-grab-you” excitement. The limited pop effect likely comes down to the art style itself.

Overall, Chainsaw Man is a fantastic 3-D achievement, proving that anime can thrive in the 3D format. Chainsaw Man is a stunning, immersive visual experience that sets the standard for 3D in anime films. To fully appreciate the film’s artistry and visual brilliance, Chainsaw Man must be seen in 3D.

Final 3D Score: 9/10 and Editor’s Choice Award

Movie

I never read the manga or watched the Chainsaw Man TV series, but I caught up through several recap videos, so I had a good grasp of what was happening. Even then, I still felt a little lost in the deep lore of the franchise. Thankfully, there are plenty of exposition dumps to fill in key details.

That said, if you’ve never seen the show or read the manga, you’ll miss about 70% of the context. A simple example: an early scene features a cat. Fans of the series will recognize the elaborate backstory and emotional weight behind this cat, while newcomers will just see it as a cute kitty.

The story centers on Denji, a young, sexually frustrated man who works for a government agency that hunts devils across Japan. Alongside his coworkers, Denji fights to protect the population from hidden devils. The film’s story beats — love, loyalty, and good versus evil — are universal, but it still assumes you’re already familiar with the world and its rules.

The English dub voice acting is incredible — everyone gives 110%. The characters are likable, and the chemistry between them is outstanding. The first half plays like a love story, while the second half explodes into nonstop action. The biggest weakness is the predictable plot — I was able to guess most of the pivotal story elements in advance. The writing is solid, though it leans heavily into familiar anime clichés (for better and worse).

The animation is phenomenal, with stunning art direction and a powerful use of color — a true feast for the eyes. It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling with richly detailed environments. The action scenes are dynamic and thrilling, and the visuals are consistently spectacular.

The music deserves special mention. The opening pop song is a real banger, even if I didn’t understand it (the lyrics weren’t dubbed). The score throughout the film is beautifully composed and perfectly matches the tone of each scene.

One last note — this movie is intense. It features extremely violent sequences, adult language, and several sexual scenes. This isn’t a kids’ movie by any stretch.

In closing: Chainsaw Man is a visually breathtaking, emotionally charged, action-packed film that rewards longtime fans and still entertains newcomers — to a degree.

And yes — there’s a post-credits scene, and it’s very funny.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website: https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/chainsawmanthemovierezearc