(M) Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio
Fifteen years on and James Cameron’s epic tale of the infamous ship and its star-crossed lovers is still a masterpiece. The only difference this time is that good old James has figured out a new way to get his hands on your money.
That being said, seeing it on the big screen again is a gift. It is the sort of movie that actually makes you feel as if you really get your money’s worth. Good, old-fashioned entertainment that has aged surprisingly well.
Does the 3D really add anything?
The answer is, mostly, no. Are you really surprised?
The first 20 minutes look pretty cool in 3D as a crew explores the decaying, sunken ship with modern technology. The rest of the time, though, it is almost unnoticeable. I even took my glasses off a few times and there was not much difference at all.
Once we get to Jack, Rose and their impending doom as the “unsinkable ship” does the inevitable, the 3D is forgotten and movie magic takes over. We are reminded that this is how you do a big budget film. (Modern directors who aren’t Peter Jackson or Christopher Nolan: please take note.)
As for the actors, copper-haired Kate Winslet is a vision as the passionate Rose. And Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack is charming and glorious in his youthful, sun-kissed beauty. Like Rose, we hang on to his every word. Together, they remind us why we always loved this story. And why we wanted them to succeed.
Still tragic, still stressful, (why weren’t there enough life boats, for the six billionth time!) and still utterly exciting, aside from a few forgivable clichés, the only real problem with Titanic today is the same problem that plagued it when it first came out: why on earth does the old lady throw the necklace into the sea?
Can I hear an “Amen”?
If you don’t mind putting up with (and paying for) James Cameron’s strange obsession with 3D (Avatar is one thing, but … really?) then take your best friend along (mine turned out to be a Titanic expert, who kept me going with fun facts throughout the entire 194 minutes) to laugh, cry, and remember what made you fall in love with this cinematic beast in the first place.
Jasmine Edwards
