release year: 1997
genre: disaster/love story
viewing setting: theater, 12/23/97
what I expected: why lie? I wanted to watch that ship sink!
what I got: a disaster movie with a love story thrown in, and great special effects

synopsis: In 1912, the Titanic sunk in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic. Now, a survivor recounts the story from her memory.

impressions: This is a movie of epic scale. It has almost everything, and is well-scripted, well-acted, and well-directed. It has outstanding special effects, and really makes you think you're looking at the actual ship from 1912. So what's my problem with the movie? Simple: I just don't think I need to see it again, at least not anytime soon. It's over three hours in length, and once you know what happens, it's hard to watch again - even with the camera work and effects. For what it's worth, several other really good movies had this problem when filtered through my eyes and brain (e.g. Apollo 13, Contact.)

acting: Superior - many roles, all different. Leonardo DiCaprio did a better job than I'd like to credit him with, because I think he's a punk. In fact, he did a great job - no denying it. Kate Winslet and Billy Zane also turned in excellent roles.

final word: A great movie, but I doubt I need to own it. Die-hard Cameron or Titanic fans will surely disagree.

rating: C+

back to the main reviews page