A Very Long Movie Review: "Titanic 3D" (2012)

 Warning: The following content may contain spoilers!

Collide With Destiny.

Rated PG-13 (MA) for disaster-related peril and violence, 
nudity, sensuality, and brief language.

   Fifteen years ago, director James Cameron (The Terminator series, Aliens) was feeling the pressure as distributors Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox tapped their watches and said, "If you don't finish this by the end of the year, your movie is going to be a flop." Already he had changed the premiere date for his epic romance from July of 1997 to December -- and after 12 dives two and a half miles beneath the ocean, a budget of 200 million dollars, and sets that had already been sunk, time was becoming the titanic issue.

   Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (23) and British actress Kate Winslet (21) rolled their eyes as they yet again redid another scene, DiCaprio commenting, "What did we get ourselves into?" Little did they know that the movie that was supposedly going to be an epic fail was going to take a turn of events and become one of the greatest movies of all time, holding the record for highest-grossing film for 12 years before getting beaten by Cameron's Avatar in 2009.


One of the most famous scenes of the movie.

   Titanic left moviegoers astounded with its brilliance, for at that time what Cameron had done was use all his time and energy into making a historically accurate (well, in the most part), tear-jerking romance that took place on the fateful voyage of the RMS Titanic. It utilized the most updated technology to that date. In the end, it made approximately $1.8 billion in the box office -- the most any movie has made, unadjusted to inflation.

   The film focuses on two people from two very different worlds: Jack and Rose. From artistic bohemian to miserable teen, the characters are played out very well by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. 

Cal giving Rose the Heart of the Ocean.

   Rose finds herself in an unwanted marriage to the wealthy Caledon "Cal" Hockley, her family left in serious debt after her father's passing. All she wants is to be free and see the world, and as she's ready to jump off the Ship of Dreams to her inevitable doom, she meets a  concerned (and single) Jack Dawson. 

   As their romantic feelings for each other become inevitable, the two face many conflicts: their forbidden love and a sinking ship, for example. The rule -- "Women and children first!" -- applied until it was too late. 

   The tragic tale based off of Romeo and Juliet had an impact on people from all over the world and of cinema history. It was nominated for fourteen Oscars at the 1997 Academy Awards -- and won eleven of them. It set off the careers of DiCaprio and Winslet. Now, one hundred years after the tragic event, Titanic is coming back to theaters -- in 3D.

   Originally set to premiere on April 6, the showing was moved back two days to April 4. A special showing in certain theaters premiered on Valentine's Day. I saw the "Fan Sneak Preview" showing on April 3 (U.S.), which came with a lithograph and Titanic 3D glasses. There are no 2D showings; it's only in 3D or 3D and IMAX. 

"You jump, I jump, right?" Rose isn't going to stay on for long...

   Now, for the review.  Honestly, this is my favorite movie of all time. Of course I enjoyed it. There are factual errors and parts of the script that make me grit my teeth or want to burst out laughing, but overall the plot is very well laid out. A lot of research was done into making the film and I'm very obsessed with it all. (Yes, I do re-enact the flying scene on every boat I'm on.) The 3D makes it more real and, obviously, more I'm-trying-not-to-dab-my-eyes-but-I-am-anyway. For example, my sister, who didn't like the movie in 2D, fell in love with it in 3D. Even when my bladder was going to explode I still stayed in my seat; I couldn't take my eyes off the splendorous (or horrific) events playing out in front of me. When the ship split in half, my jaw literally dropped. It was spectacular!

The terrified pair cling on to each other, vowing to stay 
on the ship as long as possible.

   Now, for my review on Leonardo DiCaprio. His performance is superb and his youthful looks will forever be a timeless classic. His personality outshines everyone. This movie has forever captured the moment in time when Leo was young and adorable. As for Kate Winslet, let's just say her acting talent has made me want to take up the job as well. (As a pastime activity, of course.)

    Currently Titanic has passed the two billion dollar mark and is the highest-grossing film to be re-released in 3D, passing Disney's The Lion King. It came close to beating The Hunger Games' two week streak, but not being a new movie and all, it didn't make enough. 

   So, after 18 million dollars and 60 weeks of 3D-converting later, Titanic 3D has been fairing well. 

   "There's a whole generation that's never seen Titanic as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen," Cameron said. "And this will be Titanic as you've never seen it before... With the emotional power intact and the images more powerful than ever, this will be an epic experience for fans and newcomers alike."

My Recommendation: **** 4/5 Stars for Titanic (1997) starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. IMDb rating: 7.6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/

 Watch the Trailer!
   

"Rating: B -- 'Titanic' wears its blockbuster weight with ease. Thanks to the 3-D conversion, it is aging surprisingly well, a meticulous recreation of a great ship and a great tragedy built around an old-fashioned popcorn picture. (McClathy-Tribune News Service)" - Cleveland Plain Dealer

Want more? Go to the official movie website: www.titanicmovie.com