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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
It has been over a decade since I have seen James Cameron’s Epic masterpiece, Titanic. I remember, “I am the King of the World!” and seeing Kate Winslet naked. Yes, I had to put that in there because Kate Winslet is just oh so beautiful. Well, for those who forgot, the Titanic was a luxury ship that hit an iceberg and sank into the ocean before the start of World War 1. I remember learning about it, and then when this movie came out, it was a hit with Celine Dion singing her heart out, the massive blue diamond and at the time used to be the all-time grossing film of all time. This film is epic in all sense as it was nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won 11 of them with Best Picture and Best Director. AFI also gave it high praises in many of their lists which will take a long time to get through. So shall we begin this wonderful review and show why this film might be the “King of the World”
Directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, Cameron brings a story of love and romance from two people from different social classes aboard the Titanic before her sinking on her maiden voyage. Cameron’s epic journey begins with Deep-sea explorer Brock Lovett (Pullman), reaching the most famous shipwreck of all – the Titanic. Brock is looking for an elusive and very famous jewelry blue diamond called “The Heart of the Ocean.” While searching the shipwreck, his team discovers a safe. When the crew opens the safe, they find out it doesn’t have the diamond but a drawing of a beautiful woman wearing it. While being interviewed, Brock shows the drawing to the cameras. Watching the interview, a 100-year-old woman by the name of Rose Calvert (Stuart) living in Michigan recognizes the woman in the drawing as herself. After contacting Brock and coming aboard the explorer ship over the wreck, Rose tells her story of the Titanic and its ill-fated voyage. Rose (Winslet) begins stating she was engaged to would-be steel magnate Caledon Hockley (Zane) as she boards the Titanic’s first-class suites with him and her oh so “loving” mother. After winning a very lucky poker game, Jack Dawson (DiCaprio) and his best friend, Fabrizio De Rossi. When Rose attempts suicide by jumping off the stern in third-class, Jack pulls her back onto the ship. From there, a special bond begins to form during the week on the voyage. As time seems to have no bound, the future and an iceberg have other plans.
Okay, I want to say that I forgot how good this film is. First, I want to give it up for James Cameron. Everyone knows that Stephen Spielberg is my all-time favorite director. There is no one I consider on his level with imagination. Yet, James Cameron knows how to make some epic freakin movies. Case in point, Avatar and Terminator 1 and 2. Cameron knows how to make an epic film, and this one is no less epic as it is a beautiful love story. I will say this about Cameron, one of his downsides is how long the story can be: 3 hours and 15 minutes. Really, Cameron?! Can’t cut it down by like an hour. You know what, it is one of those films that doesn’t feel like it’s that long.
Okay, now for the story. Even though the ship is the setting, the actual story is a nice love story between Rose and Jack and hunting for a particular jewelry piece. For the love story, I like how it is presented with Jack being a broke artist who is going to America and Rose as this rich 17-year-old girl who is stuck in a situation to be married to a rich and pompous asshole. The story of how the two main characters fall in love is simple but enjoyable. Yet, these two worlds might have never meshed as Rose’s mother had her own agenda because she didn’t want to be poor. Welcome to the real-world lady. Yet, the blossoming of their relationship is sweet on this week-long journey. What better way to start a relationship when you are about to throw yourself off the ship because you hate your life so much and feel like you are trapped. Yet, a person comes along and saves you. That is how their relationship started, and it grew from there with Jack teaching Rose how to hock a loogie and introduce her to his world of fun and ordinary life. Rose somewhat brought Jack into her world when he had to dress up and attend this fancy dinner, which he amazingly navigated through.
Through all of this, you could see that Rose was more comfortable with Jack and vice versa. The iconic scene that showed this was the painting scene. We see Rose strip all the way down and wear the necklace to be drawn. Oh, Kate Winslet, you are oh so beautiful. The second scene is the love-making scene. You know that car was hot and had all those love juices around it. Until the very end, their love continued to blossom in a sweet and loveable way until the tragic ending.
Which brings me to another point. Rose, my girl, how the fuck didn’t you let Jack on that door? There was PLENTY of room for Jack on that door. It was a shame that he couldn’t get on the door. Come on, Cameron! You should’ve had all this worked out. I will give you this, it was an effective and emotional way to let someone go.
Now the other somewhat minor story is when the crew is looking for the Heart of the Ocean. Pullman’s character is obsessed with finding this jewelry piece and will stop at nothing to get it. Listening to Rose’s story changes his view on materialistic stuff and genuine love.
I want to say that Cameron knows how to use those special effects and CGI to the fullest. Even though the special effects haven’t aged that well, you get a complete sense of how grand the Titanic actually was. From the first shot of the boat from overhead was grand. You saw how luxurious this ship was from the deck when it was out at sea. It would’ve been a sight to see. Also, how big were those freakin things when Rose and Jack ran through the engine room. Made them look like freakin ants. The whole sinking scene was just grand. First, having that scene where the water bursts through the doors and down the hallway just filled you with dread. Then to watch the Titanic sink was horrifying but gave it an effect that you can see with your own eyes. Congrats, Cameron, on your use of CGI and special effects. The dolphins were a nice touch.
Let’s take a second to talk about one of the greatest scenes in film history. You know the one I am talking about. When Leo made his epic grand entrance to being a freakin superstar. When dude stood at the front and screamed at the top of his lungs, “I’m King of the World.” You know Cameron was thinking that when he made this movie because he was about to be king of movie box office history.
Let’s take a second to speak about the one song everyone knows. That song is “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. Homegirl sang her heart out with that song. I forgot that the melody is in the film, but she didn’t sing it until the credits. It’s funny to think that the tune has become a meme now, but everyone was dropping that song back then.
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson made Leo a superstar. Leo was a star, but this put him in a whole new world. I like Leo movies. He has become excellent in his time from this movie. As Dawson, he was somewhat serious but just went with the flow of things. When he saw Rose for the first time, dude’s eyes lit up because homegirl was BEAUTIFUL.
Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater. Kate played Rose as this 17-year-old who was bound by privilege and status. Even though she was a little stuck up, you could tell she wanted to be free and have a mind of her own. Homegirl drank that alcohol like a freakin champ. Winslet played her beautifully and really set herself up to be a superstar in the future.
Some of the dialogue was funny and went way over my head when I was young, but I caught on to it this time. First, when Rose and Cal are unpacking, Rose comments about his paintings and says something Picasso, and Cal states he never be anything. Another dialogue was when coward dude was talking to people about Sigmund Freud. When Molly states she is a pistol, Cal states she will need to go back and mind while Ismay says Freud and is he on the boat. Also, only rich people have a Monet lying around in their room.
James Cameron’s Titanic is still a very watchable and enjoyable movie to watch. It is freakin long, but the time seems to melt away when the film goes from the beginning of Rose’s story all the way until the end. Leo and Kate were excellent in this film, along with Cameron’s direction and vision. Maybe it will take me another 10 years to watch this film. Maybe next time, I’ll be KING OF THE WORLD!!
