Titanic's 3D remake is every bit as large as the ship itself. It remains a cinematic marvel 25 years after it won the hearts of the world, and its director shows no sign of stopping.
"Never bet against James Cameron", is a line you may hear all too frequently from box office analysts. Can you doubt it? Having released three of the top four highest grossing films ever, won numerous awards, and has a larger cultural impact than any other director in recent history; when he releases a new film, you know it will be a hit. I believe James Cameron is the de facto box office king. Having created both the Avatar and Terminator franchises, Cameron is one of the most recognisable directors in the industry. Titanic is his most technically exceptional work, 25 years after its release.
The last time I watched Titanic was in school. I'm sure you can relate to the feeling of being forced to watch "a boring romance movie" you have no interest in, especially considering its runtime of 194 minutes! Going into the cinema I had no expectations, Titanic to 14 year old me was just an overrated, soppy melodrama.
Kate Winslet is the star of the show to me. The final act really feels like a horror story as we follow Rose through the narrow corridors which are quickly becoming submerged. Her acting is paramount to setting the atmosphere. The scene where Jack and Rose are dancing with the other third-class passengers really highlights the chemistry between the two, coupled with the music, it makes this my favourite scene.
What if I were on this ship? Would I want time to speed up so the catastrophe would be over?
Watching the terrors which unfold after the collision feel incredibly realistic. The second half of this movie feels like it was shot in as the event unfolded, at times I was led to believe that this was drawn out too much, but this adds to the experience. What if I were on this ship? Would I want time to speed up so the catastrophe would be over? Cameron raises some moral dilemmas which remain relevant and has successfully captured the existential dread of those aboard the ship. Some characters take longer than others to accept the situation, which helps to cement the message he is suggesting.
Yes, the movie was given a facelift because of its reissue, but it is stunning. The visuals, the set design, everything is perfectly crafted for the big screen. There is a reason Titanic was the first movie to gross over $1 billion worldwide, word of mouth. Known to have one the most legendary box office runs in history; Titanic is still the record holder as the highest grossing film on its 8th to 15th weekend in the U.S and Canada. I cannot think of a better example than Titanic for a movie that must be watched on the biggest screen possible.
Perhaps the romance movie of this generation, Titanic is a timeless spectacle which has truly highlighted the genius of its director. His plan to release 3 more movies in the "Avatar" franchise has me excited for the future of cinematic technology, his work has modernised the industry over the years, and I hope to see more in his next movie.
