Titanic [20] -1997-

I gave no expectation review for this movie because I knew how it ended. (Didn't we all?) I will however say that I understand why this movie cost so much. James Cameron is not the kind of guy to do something halfway. If you're going to shoot a movie dealing with one of the largest, most opulently appointed ocean liners the world has ever seen, then you'd better have one to put on film! The interface of filmed live action and computer-generated effects is virtually seamless. There are no “cartoonish” outlines or unexplained shadows! I was surprised by how many cameo appearances there were. Some of these big name actors should have gotten more billing despite relatively minor roles, to broaden audience appeal.

This movie is apparently a big hit with the female adolescent crowd. A quick census of my theater confirmed this as the most heavily represented age group. This movie is the Romeo and Juliet of the generation born after 1980. No amount of facial tissue will keep the ship from sinking, but bring some anyway. (Hey, it's for your date right?) Yes, this is a romance picture and yes, it is tragic. Guys who might shy away from the rumored "chick flick" angle on this movie should go see it anyway. There's enough shooting, fire, double crosses, gambling, cigars, explosions, and breathtaking stunts to satisfy even this jaded critic. This is not to be missed on the big screen. Preferably in a theater with the best sound system you can find.

I rated this movie a 20, because I would go see it again. I was leery at first, I admit, that this movie might be just another expensive remake. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. I saw the old black and white version of the Titanic recently and found that these two movies in fact compliment each other and do not detract from one another.

Titanic 1953 version tells the story from the point of view of being there while it happens (you are a virtual passenger so to speak). The characters aren't as deeply developed (there are many of them) so you get a more of an overview of how the passengers lucky enough to board a lifeboat felt while leaving loved ones behind to their fate. As the ship goes down, the camera's view spends more time looking at the ship from the safe haven of the life boats than it does BEING on the doomed ship looking out at those who are saved. A very clean and dignified approach to the life boats is portrayed with only one man depicted selfishly saving himself against the "Women and Children First" credo. The few scenes from the ship show many men stiff lipped and brave, being strong to the end for their women.

Cameron's view is grittier. Titanic 1997 spends far more time on board the doomed ship and gives a more realistic portrayal of the ensuing panic around the life boats. IN the older version all the lifeboats were filled to capacity. Cameron deals honestly with the fact that many lifeboats may NOT have been filled correctly. Was this an oversight due to panic? Perhaps. But more likely it was due to Class struggle and Money. "Steerage passengers are not worthy of being saved" if you will.

Titanic 1997, takes place as a narrative being conveyed from memory. It is far more personal (as it should be using this device) and the characters more completely developed. We know these people by name and know their dreams and past history. What I like about these two films in their relation to each other is by seeing both of them in the same week, you get a sense of how things felt from both angles. Being on the ship as it goes down (1997), and being one of the "saved" in the lifeboats (19XX). In my ignorance of the tragedy I honestly thought more people drowned or were trapped inside the ship. It never occurred to me that 1500 people would make it safely off the ship before it sank only to die of freezing/hypothermia in the frigid water. The saddest moment for me was (*SPOILAGE*) when only one lifeboat turned back to pick up survivors still in the water. The lifeboats designated crewman trained his flashlight over the dark water and illuminated all the lifeless bodies bobbing in the water amongst the flotsam. That scene was hard to take. Many in the water thought the lifeboats would return for them after rowing a safe distance from the "suction" zone created by the drowning ship. That didn't happen save for that one lifeboat. Even if they did go back the water is so cold many would have perished any way. This movie may not be suitable viewing for children under 12 years old due to the subject matter's intensity and suspense. I guarantee even adults will have a hard time sleeping after seeing this film. The experience of it is so thrilling it kept me wound up for hours! Go see it! [JB]

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Added: April 7th 2004
Reviewer: JDB
29 Point Scale Score:    [20]

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