Star Wars in 3D -- The Good, The Bad and the downright stupid

When it was announced on Sept. 28 that the Star Wars saga would be getting the 3D treatment, I was. I'm not a huge fan of the 3D because I don't believe it's been used in a correct manner yet, but if anyone can get the most out of the technology, it would be George Lucas and company.

What has shocked me more than the fact it was finally announced was the reaction from "fans". Note that I put fans in quotations because I've found that most true fans of the saga love the idea of the conversion.

Looking back over the movies, I've separated some elements we all should look forward to and some we should cringe at. We'll begin with the...

The Good (Part 1)

* "Return of the Jedi" (End space battle scene) -- This was the second scene my mind raced to when thinking about the movies being released in 3D. The scene is breathtaking in its traditional form, so just image what it's going to look like when it's released with spaceships and laser bolts popping.

* "Revenge of the Sith" (Battle on Mustafar) -- Hands down the best lightsaber action in the saga. It will be interesting to see how the technology lends itself to the volcanic planet and when we get to see Anakin's limbs lopped off.

* "The Phantom Menace" (Podrace) -- Just zip over to YouTube and watch the trailer for "Menace" and tell me a podracer zooming over your head isn't going to get your blood pumping. Also, I'll love to see what the dust trails will look like in 3D. Sounds silly, but could be interesting.

* "A New Hope" (The Trench Run) -- Whereas the end battle scene from "Return of the Jedi" was a solid two, there's no doubt the trench run from "A New Hope" was where my mind wandered first. Imagine when Luke dips into the trench and the walls of the Death Star wrap around you and whiz past you as he speeds toward the thermal exhaust port. And the scene wouldn't be complete without good ol' Han zooming in from overhead to save the day.

* "Empire Strikes Back" (Battle of Hoth) AT-AT's stomping, A-Wings zipping around and the climatic "I am your father" scene. Sure the former might not have a ton of special effects, but the power of the scene will be amplified to the nth degree.

In my next blog I'll explore more scenes from the saga I believe will blow us away as well as some that should be left on the cutting room floor while we're tinkering with things.