Titanic in 3D Review

30th Mar 2012

So what’s the skinny? Bill Paxton is hunting for a very special gem onboard the decaying wreck of the Titanic in present day. Instead he finds a bit of early 20^th century porn and soon finds that the girl in the picture is still alive. Rose is a very elderly lady now who hops on Bill’s ship (we must admit selfishly as she never hands over the gem) to have a gander at some old props and recount her romantic and dramatic tale onboard the Titanic.

The rest we probably all know by now as the film leaps back into the past and recounts the fateful voyage and tells of the romance between yuppie Rose (Kate Winslet) and Euro-shagger Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Titanic is still the second highest grossing film in history, pipped to the post only recently by Avatar. Both films are way ahead of the rest of the competition in terms of the green. But what is going to be on people’s minds is – is the 3D any good? Yes it has been post converted for this special re-release which does actually mark 100 years since the sinking of the ship.

I have never been a fan of 3D cinema finding it either intrusive or just plain pointless. I am happy to report that Titanic is neither intrusive or bothersome. In fact even though this is a post conversion job, the depth of field is actually quite impressive.

Lucasfilm bodged up their recent Star Wars Episode 1 re-release by nitpicking elements to have in 3D. Titanic uses the whole screen and goes right back as far as the lens sees. The boarding sequence for example has a depth of field that stretches right down the docks, and the 3D is incorporated to affect this; not merely the foreground characters. For lovers of the film this obviously brings a new dimension to the film for them. For naysayers, well to one is forcing them to buy a ticket.

The script is still the most bothersome thing – especially in the first hour. But at least a nicely judged Billy Zane performance is slotted in the villain role – whom I am still impressed to this day that he didn’t suffer a horrific death at which you may expect of such a character. That fate is instead reserved for DiCaprio’s one dimensional Italian stereotype best buddy in the film. Although it has to be said that the fate of Zane’s character – post tragedy is revealed in dialogue which I feel is a bit of a cheap shot just to let the audience know he didn’t go on to live happily ever after. But, whatever floats your boat.

The film will ultimately not appeal any more to people who didn’t like it first time round. Those that do love the film already may find nostalgia in the film even if it is a bit dated in the effects department. But the film is big enough to have that lasting effect in memory – not least due to its prolonged set piece in the second half and the Oscar recognition the film got after its release.