Still a "Titanic" movie!

Rating: 9/10 (30 May 2000)

Well here it is, three years after the release of Titanic, and the movie is still eminently watchable. I have the DVD version, and watch it occasionally. I've come to realize that the love story (which MANY have complained about) serves to offset the "disaster" portion of the movie *perfectly*. Without it, watching "Titanic" would simply be a bleak and depressing experience. But notice how the love story reaches its peak JUST as the ship crashes into the iceberg, and a crossover effect is achieved -- disaster intersects with love and the human spirit. Without the love story (and no, I didn't think it was particularly cheesy), Titanic would not be the movie that it is.
People have said that this movie has "aged" poorly since its original release. I don't think so. I saw it three times on the big screen when it came out, and bought the DVD when *it* first came out. Multiple viewings have not diminished this movie for me. It still stands as the finest movie of 1997, and the best epic disaster film ever made. Remember, this movie is not a documentary, and was never intended to be. Some people don't quite seem to get that point. As for Leonardo Dicaprio, I do feel they could have chosen a different actor for the part and it would have improved things, but only a little. This film has only one lead character, the Titanic Herself. All the rest are extras, albeit important ones.
If you're one of those rare birds who hasn't seen "Titanic" yet, don't listen to its detractors. Watch the movie and judge it for yourself. I won't comment on the special effects, except to say they're incredible and 99% seamless. The story (taken as a whole) is profound and moving. No other disaster film (the innumerable "Airport 19xx's" and others) have managed to capture the human side of a major 20th century disaster so effectively. And this is still a great 'date movie' as well. It succeeds from many, many angles -- so many that its flaws (yes, it has some) can and should be overlooked. Director James Cameron put his heart and soul into this film, and it shows.
Verdict: Acquitted on ALL charges and rated 9/10 for true excellence in filmmaking.