P3D Re: PHOTO-3D 3D in Las Vegas

[Phillip Gray <philgray@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Charles Hotchkiss wrote:

> More importantly,  I was wondering if anyone could recommend any 3D
> attractions that shouldn't be missed.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Charlie Hotchkiss
>
  Regarding 3-D in Las Vegas.  The Luxor Hotel is currently showing two
IMAX 3-D (LCD GLASSES) shows:   "Into the Deep" at 30 minutes and "LV5"
at 42 minutes.  Shows alternate every hour.  Single price $8.50, or both
for $13.50.  The best seats are on level 4 and are the first seated.
About 20th in line will put you in the center of the theater.  You
cannot select a seat, you are escorted by group to each level and must
go to the furtherest seat from the door for your row, so the 20th spot
in line is important if you want to be in the center.
It was my first experience with IMAX 3-D LCD and I thought both films
were quite impressive, although I found the LCD glasses a little
cumbersome. It took a while to get them adjusted comfortably on my head.

The comments by the customers after both shows were mixed.  The sea one
seemed to get the best reaction.  I heard persons after both complaining
of either a headache or soreness from wearing the glasses (they are
bulky and seem near the size of a motorcycle helmut).  One person
thought the "L5" one spent too much time with the little "kid" and not
enough in  outer space although everyone seemed to like the "flight over
Mars" portion.

There are also two 3-D ride simulations at Ceaser's Palace.  One was
horrendous, shown on a small screen in some video process that was so
full of ghosting and color halos that most of the 3-D effects were non
existent.  It is in the downstairs mall. Avoid it, you will be very
dissapointed.
The other is called "Race for Atlantis" and is billed as the first IMAX
3-D ride simulation.  Single price $9.50, and re-entry on the same day
only with your original stub for $4.50.  LCD glasses are used for this
presentation also and it runs continuously.  There is a 5 minute
introduction in an outer lobby where you stand and see a 3-D
presentation  before being escorted to your seat.  The intro appears to
be video (Laser perhaps?).  The picture is good, although not really
sharp which kind of lessens the 3-D effect.   The ride simulation itself
uses a lot of hydrolics in the seats so there is a good bit of jerking
around.  It creates a real challenge to keep the LCD glasses on.  The
IMAX film is presented on a semi dome and the picture did not seem as
sharp as the Luxor 3-D, but the 3-D effects combined with the movement
of the seats and the enormous size of the screen makes it  quite a heart
pounding experience.  The actual ride lasts about 5 to 6 minutes with
something coming out of the screen or theaudience being flung over,
under and thru crevices, mountains and exploding temples constantly.
The final scene with Neptune rising from the ocean is incredible! The
only distraction is the screen during some scenes.  There are quite a
few explosions and light blasts in the film.  When these are extremely
bright the edges of the many squares used to assemble the screen are
quite obvious.  Still a great introduction to someone who has never
exeperienced 3-D outside of those sometimes  horrendous anaglyph tv
broadcasts.

While I'm rambling I might mention that the person who corrals everyone
at the entrance said that the ride hasn't really taken off and
apparently is not attracting big crowds. (It has been plying for three
months.  I went in about 8:30pm and the ride was less than one half
filled.  There are probably only 30 seats total.  And it doesn't help
that it is buried at the very back of Ceaser's Palace It took about 30
minutes to find.  It is at the huge "Neptune" statue, look on the maps
in the lobby.

One final comment.  I heard or read somewhere that MGM has signed an
agreement with IMAX to do a "45" minute James Bond IMAX 3-D film.  Did I
read that here, or has anyone heard anything about it?

Let me know what you think if you see them.

Phil Gray
philgray@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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