3-D Revolution

July 30, 2012
Explaining the development of the art form from novelty to near-industry standard, Zone's study details the fits and starts of 3-D cinema from its initial 1952 commercial breakthrough with Arch Oboler's Bwana Devil to James Cameron's 2009 technologically visionary achievement, Avatar. Acting as a sequel to his previous work, 3-D artist and producer Zone (Stereoscopic Cinema and the Origins of 3-D Film) illustrates in profuse detail the science, methodology, applications, and individuals behind the notable films that emerged in what Zone categorizes as three of the four evolutionary epochs of 3-D cinema: the Era of Convergence, the Immersive Age (arguably the book's strongest section), and the advent of Digital 3-D Cinema. His attempt to present a comprehensive modern history of 3-D is obfuscated by overwhelming details concerning the evolution of the technology behind the medium. Cursory cultural and historical contextualization leaves little for the lay reader to latch on to, resulting in a work that often reads like a technical manual designed for enthusiasts and industry professionals.