When great visuals are wasted

Rating: 4/10 (20 May 2002)

I went to Titanic looking to be bowled over by the special effects, sets, costumes etc., and wasn't disappointed. The scene showing the ship leaving the dock looked so real! I was truly taken by the visual splendor on the screen. I also knew going in that the story and cast would be a bit of a disappointment. But I never expected the total letdown of those aspects of the film. The sappiness of the love story was just plain putrid and unworthy of the grand setting that was the Titanic. The portrayal of evil fiance by Billy Zane was one of the most ridiculous performances I've seen in years. If he had a moustache, he would have been twisting it like Snidely Whiplash! And, beware of the little spoiler here, the scene in which he chases Jack and shoots at him, all while thousands are dying around them, had me laughing with the cruel absurdity of it all, earning me a stiff elbow in the ribs from my wife. This film is proof that popularity in no way equals quality.