So, they shot this in 3D, right? Or was this a conversion?

Haven't seen it yet -- but from what I heard most of it was shot in 3D. Due to the nature of some of the pranks, some of it was filmed on hand held HD cameras and converted. Most of the major stunts are shot in 3D.

Half the film is 3D and half the film is 2D.

I saw the film at midnight, which was a stupid idea since I had an important business meeting to attend at 8am, but I needed to see Jackass 3D at midnight (after seeing Chromeo in concert who were awesome). It was one of my most anticipated films of the year due to the fact I loved the series and first two theatrical outings.

If you're a fan of Jackass, you already know to expect. You'll enjoy the film because it's the same shit in 3D. However, there's where problem lies. Most of the film has a "been there, done that" feel to it (especially since a gag deleted from Number Two makes its way into this film with a different participant). The film starts off strong, but loses steam on its way out. At the sold out showing I saw, laughter was loud and prevalent out the gate; but as the film headed towards the finish line, the theater became more and more silent.

The 3D is hit and miss because only half of the film is 3D, in-camera or converted. When we get footage shot with the Fusion, we get textbook examples of how 3D should be done. Just like Chu and (the entire running time of) Step Up 3D, the Jackass guys have outdone Cameron's own system. The opening and closing segments are where the 3D shines and the depth of field is fucking phenomenal. When the gang kicks the 3D into slow-motion, the effects are there and making the proceedings at hand feel more painful (this also helps if the theater has a kick-ass sound system). There's even a 3D segment that may get overlooked, but I loved was the "Electric Avenue" skit (the establishing shot of the trap was impressive).

However, they only had access to one Fusion set-up. This means we get shots that were post-converted (i.e. the interior of the Poo Cocktail Supreme), but you couldn't tell if they actually 3D because there's A LOT of footage (including entire segments) that are straight-up 2D. It's lazy on both the filmmaker's and Paramount's part for numerous reasons:

1. Why am I paying a surcharge when only half the film is in 3D?

2. Why couldn't the Jackass crew used the Fusion as their main set-up and used handheld 3D based systems (that do exist) as their secondary cameras?

3. Why couldn't Paramount just convert all of the existing 2D footage into 3D?

Again, I liked the film, but I feel the franchise has ran its course. It's a must-see for Jackass fans, but I was expecting a little bit more.

So would you recommend seeing it in 2D or 3D? I'm really not a fan of 3D and it will be $3-4 cheaper to see the 2D showing.

I'm seeing it for the movie and not the 3D so I'm going the cheaper route.

Do you really want to live your life knowing you missed the chance to see some of the sights on hand here in all of its three dimensional glory? I think not.

Me (***1/2): http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/46260/jackass-3d/ -- my 300th DVDTalk review
Orndorf (***1/2): http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/46256/jackass-3d/

So how'd the business meeting go?

Congrats!

I also gave it 3 1/2 stars. The weakest of the three movies, but still worth seeing for any fan.

I sat in it with a tall can of Red Bull and said very little. If I could've worn sunglasses in it, I would've.

I hope your being sarcastic because 3D is arguably the biggest rip off in movie history.

After seeing it tonight in 3-D, I say you're not missing much if you choose the 2-D route.

Deadline Hollywood is reporting a $20 million opening day with a $40 million weekend on the horizon. Huge numbers considering the first outing had a $22 million opening weekend (when the show was in its "prime") and the second outing had a $29 million opening weekend (four years ago).

I thought it was pretty funny, I had a lot of laughs with my brother during it. Some stuff was alright, just not ha ha the entire time.

I thought it was hilarious, on par with the others, tough to say which one was the best. The 3D, as expected, was totally unnecessary.

that midget fight scene in the bar, just might've been the funniest thing they've ever done. i still laugh thinking about that.

That had me cracking up. The "mini-cops".

the mini cops were great, but the EMTs just elevated it. especially when they dropped the guy on the stretcher.

Not as mean as the second, not as funny as the first (if they could edit the best of 2 and 3, you'd have a film that meets the quality of the original). It was still fun and I'm glad to see this looks like the final entry in the series.

I seen it on saturday and it awesome

I like the end sequence but I wish they turn to opening intro but opening credit are great.

S's are also great.

After grossing 50 million this weekend, you can bet your butt there is going to be another one.

huge letdown for me.

Most of the public prank sketches went absolutely NOWHERE. Even Tremaine and the editor must have known this as they edited most of it into a musical montage. Knoxville and the "grandaughter" could have thrown a stick and found a more entertaining person to dupe. The guy they approached seemed like he couldn't give much of a shit either way. Did they just try one person and give up or was that the best they could do?

Anyways, Jackass 2 was the best entry in the series imo.

It will be a very sad film then, because it's very obvious a lot of the guys are tired of the physicality. Far too many of the guys in this one were throwing in the towel. Time and common sense have taken a good toll on the crew and honestly, stuntwise, they can't top themselves and haven't since Part 2; I think Steve-O's newfound sobriety has ensured he will never come close to his heyday of lunacy and Knoxville is pushing 40.

That said, if they were to do a fourth, I'd rather see it full of little pranks, as opposed to half-hearted bike/skateboard tricks.