Titanic Rises Again: Our Review of "Titanic 3D" (2012)

Directed By: James Cameron

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Bill Paxton, Billy Zane

Rating: PG-13 for disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language

Synopsis: The tale of star-crossed lovers, the rich Rose DeWitt Bukater (Winslet) and poor Jack Dawson (DiCaprio), who meet and fall in love while on the maiden voyage of the doomed H.M.S. Titanic, told through the eyes of an older Rose 84 years after the tragic sinking.

REVIEW

Sarah: Good evening readers! On this Easter Sunday, Andrew and I thought that it would be a great opportunity for us to go and check out Titanic in 3D! So many people have seen this movie already. I mean, it HAS been out for 15 years so if you haven't seen it, shame on you. 

But what did you think Andrew? Was it worth the afternoon?

Andrew: It was absolutely worth the afternoon (and we do mean afternoon - got to the theatre at 2:45, got out at 6:45). Titanic is without a doubt one of the greatest films in history; I mean, it did win 11 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

But what made it worth it wasn't that it's a great film - that's a given. What made it worth the afternoon was getting to see it on the big screen again after 15 years, and to get to see it in 3D at that.

S: The 3D blew my mind. When a movie can literally make you forget that you are in a theatre it really is amazing. I have said before in this blog that I really don't like 3D movies. I don't know if it's because it hurts my eyes or the fact that I have to wear sunglasses in a theatre but I just don't usually like them. The way that James Cameron does 3D is the exception to the rule. The pictures literally fall away from you, giving the movie depth and transport you into that fateful trip. 

It has been said that Titanic is one of those movies that when you pass by it on the television, you usually stop and watch it no matter what part of the movie it is. This re-release solidifies that tradition even more. The suspense and beautiful story of the passengers on the Titanic is still as powerful today as it was 15 years ago.

A: Amen. I've seen the film numerous times but I usually come in somewhere after it starts. This is only the third time I can think of that I've seen it from start to finish and I was totally engrossed in the story and how the film looked. James Cameron absolutely deserved his Oscar for this film because it's amazing from top to bottom.

I'm a sucker for knowing how films are made and I would love to watch a behind-the-scenes documentary on Titanic because the sheer scope of the film is impressive. I'm sure most of our readers have seen the film at home or when it first came out, but I HIGHLY recommend that you see it again while it's in theatres and in 3D.

This is the best 3D I have seen for a movie since Toy Story 3 and I list it third behind only Toy Story 3 (2nd) and Cameron's Avatar (1st). The fact that this film was post-converted into 3D and looks so fantastic speaks to how well Cameron knows how to use the technology and that it wasn't just a hack-job like the 3D was for Alice in Wonderland or Clash of the Titans (so I've read).

S: Titanic is the only movie that makes me consistently cry. When the old couple is in bed together while the water swirls up around them and when the mother is tucking her daughter and son into bed with a nighttime story are two of the most touching scenes. It really just brings that feeling of complete resolution to death that I 'm sure so many felt that night. The other scene that always gets me is the VERY end when Rose goes back to the ship after she has died and everyone that went down with the ship is waiting for her. And there is Jack at the top of the stairs. *sigh* So romantic!

And this film is what shot Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet to stardom. Even though neither one took home the Oscar for Titanic, they have both been nominated since, and Winslet has taken home the golden statue twice. I think they can thank this movie for bringing them to the forefront of Hollywood heavyweights.

A: I'm man enough to admit that both those scenes you just mentioned also made me tear up. I attribute that to being married now (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

I will say, after all these years, I have a larger appreciation for this film. From the special effects to the script to the acting, I feel that it's all top-notch. For years I felt that Leo's performance wasn't very good, but something hit my today in the scene where Jack dines with Rose and the other rich people where I was quite impressed with DiCaprio's performance. It was more reminiscent of what he's done in The Aviator and Inception.

So yeah, in summary, I definitely think it was worth our Easter Sunday afternoon to go see Titanic in 3D. Think we need to go out and get this one on Blu-Ray some day soon, my dear?

S: I do think that we will have to purchase this one for the collection! It’s pretty interesting that for a movie such as this, neither of us own it yet. Especially considering we have to give it:

(Out of Five)

Our Preview of this Week's New Releases (For Friday, April 6th)

Andrew: Hello readers! We have been really busy lately so we've been absent from the theatres, but we're really hoping to change that this week. However, we're still bringing your our weekly preview as we take a look at which new movies we're most likely to see.

It's not THE biggest film coming out this week (we'll get to that one later) but American Reunion is the most anticipated new film coming out this week. The third sequel to the 1999 hit American Pie, in Reunion we see all the main players from the original trilogy coming back for...well...a high school reunion. Duh.

Sarah, what are your thoughts on American Reunion?

Sarah: I think this looks really funny. It could be because the hometown of the Pie-ers is based on a town close to my hometown in Michigan, it could also be because I love Alyson Hannigan, or it could just be because it looks hilarious! It's been so long since the gang was together. I think it will also be kind of cool because the gang has grown up with their audience so it will be relatable. What do you think?

Official Trailer for American Reunion

A: While I was skeptical at first, because of the length of time between American Wedding and this new one, I came around to being excited because all the main actors are back and it's being directed by Adam Hurwitz, who has a writing credit for all the Harold & Kumar movies, as well as having directed Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. The trailer looks funny, and of course, we both love Hannigan. Count me in.

S: OK, now on to the BIGGEST movie that has come out this week. Or should we say has re-come out. Titanic! Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 3 months, you've known that this one was coming out in order to commemorate the 100 years since the sinking of the ship. What are your thoughts on this one Andrew?

Official Trailer for Titanic 3D

A: My primary thought is: I know how this one ends. But I'll let that slide. My second thought is: I hope the post-conversion 3D James Cameron did on it is good. And from what I've read, this is supposedly the best 3D for a film since Avatar, and at least on par with Hugo.

I do want to see Titanic during it's re-release and that's mainly because it's a movie that NEEDS to be seen in theatres on a big screen. It's the definition of a blockbuster. For the sinking of the ship scene alone this needs to be seen in theatres. So count me in.

S: I will be seeing this one as well because when it originally came out, I was in third grade and my mother WOULD NOT let me go see it! Even though ALL of my other friends got to see it! In hindsight, it really wasn't that risque at all but whatever, I was an only child then, with protective parents.

So the main movies coming out this weekend are sequels or re-releases. But let's be honest, it will probably be a HUGE weekend for the movies.

A: Yeah, for the most part these are the two big films. I don't know if that had to do with it being the weekend of The Masters or Opening Weekend for baseball, but there's not much coming out tomorrow.

Next week looks to be a little more jam-packed when we get The Cabin in the Woods, Lockout and The Three Stooges. In the mean time, I can guarantee that we will be seeing Titanic and American Reunion. So be on the lookout for our reviews!