a special effects spectacular

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2002)

Having been a fanatic of the Titanic story for as long as I can remember I was tickled with anticipation when I heard Titanic was coming to the big screen.When I finally got to see it in December of 1997 I wasn't disappointed.James Cameron did an incredible job in recreating this story down to the finest detail.Casting only people who physically resembled the original passengers and crew was a risky move(could they act?)but it paid off.His attention to detail was incredible.Even the napkins on the dining tables were monogrammed with the White Star Lines insignia.The scene on the boatdeck where a young boy is spinning a top while his Father looks on is taken from an actual photograph taken by a passenger.The scene where Captain Smith is discussing lighting the last four boilers with Bruce Ismay and in the background are two women passengers sipping on lemon tea,it is based on the original event-there really were two women sitting behind the Captain and Ismay on that day in 1912,they survived to tell the story. The movie does have rather banal dialogue in parts,but this is it's only failing.It's three hour running time seems to fly by and the scenes of the sinking were nothing less than spectacular.The scene where Officer Moody shoots himself after shooting two third class passengers made me wince a bit though.This scene is based on conjecture,there is no real evidence that it actually happened.Personally,after years of researching the story,I think he may have fired his pistol,but into the air,not at passengers.I guess Cameron added it in to create more intensity,but really,there was enough going on as it was. To me,the romantic storyline between Leonardo Dicaprio(originally Cameron wanted Brad Pitt) and Kate Winslet is secondary to the spectacle of the actual Titanic story.They do have a chemistry,and their courtship was plausible,and it certainly helped the tears flow at the end of what was an already sad story.Not to be emotionally moved by the films last half an hour would take a stout heart indeed. It is truly a tear-jerker. This film only really works though on a big screen(no less than 29")and with digital surround sound.I have watched it on a 21" tv without Dolby sound and the effect is flat. James Horners score is perfect for this movie and comes in at just the right places.My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was a risk that paid off dividends for Cameron who originally didn't want vocals in any of the films soundtrack,he wanted the music to speak for itself.It would have been a lesser film without it. I love Titanic,and I keep going back to her.To me,SHE is the heart of the ocean.