Titanic

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane

Titanic the ship’s 100th anniversary, Titanic the film’s 15th year and James Cameron achieving excellence in 3D cinema with Avatar in 2009, it was opportune time to resurrect Titanic in 3D. But unfortunately, the very delight of the resurrection—3D—sinks the ship.

When the film released in 1997, it drew people’s attention due to its humongous budget, estimated to be an unprecedented $200 million. Cameron recreated Titanic and used a lot of computer techniques to bring the shipwreck alive on screen. The young lead pair of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio got catapulted into super stardom. The film won 11 Oscars out of its 14 nominations, including the Best Picture and the Best Director. It was a dream come true for Cameron and his team. Titanic had created the benchmark for films to come.

The experience of watching it then and now hasn’t changed. As a teenager, despite it’s much talked about flaws, we couldn’t get over the enormity of the film. Rose DeWitt Bukater and Jack Dawson’s love story on the splendidly grand ship was a fantasy we all wanted to live. It left millions of hearts thumping. We sobbed when the dishy Leonardo DiCaprio succumbed to the freezing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Most women wished they were there to rescue him. The old world charm, the fabulous costumes, the innocent love and the most iconic ship ever – there was no way you couldn’t love the Titanic!

So the time is finally here to experience it again. To get up close with the 3D as if you are now on the ship of dreams itself. No matter how many times you’ve watched it on TV, no matter how many lines of dialogue you know by heart. You would watch it again, because it promised to be bigger and better. 

But as has been the case with recent 3D extravaganzas from Hollywood the end result is anti-climactic. You can count the number of 3D scenes on your fingertips. Not good for a film that had the potential to simulate a voyage on a real luxury cruise liner. But the chance to relive the history and the saga goes a begging. You’re left rooting for Jack’s and Rose’s fight for survival and love, you’re left hating Billy Zane as Cal and you gasp at the splitting ship. But you did that 15 years ago as well, back when 2D was king. 

 

Nevertheless, the movie’s magic is still ageless. Its nostalgic romance is fresh enough to warm the cockles of your heart. And your pupils still dilate at the sight of the Titanic. But it’s a pity the 3D is a mere gimmick. Avatar left most audiences in a tizzy thanks to the use of purposeful 3D. It made you live a two-hour experience. This at best was a three hour ride down memory lane.