Titanic – Return to the Ship of Dreams

*The following is a review of the 25th anniversary re-release of Titanic*

One cannot help but surrender one’s self to it. The magic of movies and the cinematic achievement that is Titanic go hand in hand in such a way. From the moment when audiences see the ship in its full size and stature, thousands of people ready to board, thousands more waving from the dock, it really sweeps you up. This re-release is this reviewer’s time watching the film since the last re-release about a decade ago, and now this re-release essentially amounts to one big “Young Leo” fanfiction. Well, at least in hindsight that’s how it seems to play out. Around that is a film that aims to tell the story of an expensive piece of jewelry that went missing on the ship that night, with deep sea explorers who nearly a century later are trying to find it. We all know the story, so let’s dive into why this film is so transcendent. 

The late great James Horner and his team of musical talents developed one of the most iconic film scores of all time, and it is a big reason as to why this film shines as bright as it does. From the moment audiences are introduced to Winslet’s Rose DeWitt Bukater, the music absolutely engrosses. It is a perfect pairing of sound and cinema, and it truly helps to create some magical moments. When Titanic turns into a disaster epic it is Horner’s musical score that ratchets up the feeling of tension, and fully display the horrors on the screen. The music makes one feel the undeniable magnitude of the situation, while maintaining that constantly epic prowess. 

The rising stars of Winslet and DiCaprio collided at such a perfect time in both of their young careers. Not only is their chemistry electric but they absolutely own these roles, no matter how on the nose they may feel. There is an instant electricity that really comes into its full fledged potential during the dinner scene when DiCaprio’s Jack Dawson meets Rose’s mother and the rest of her mates aboard the ship, and then of course when Rose sneaks off with Jack to the third class cabins on the ship to enjoy a proper night of raucous fun. From then on out their journey remains gripping, enchanting, and devastating. 

However, while both DiCaprio and Winslet flash their star power, it’s Zane who is the real scene stealer as Cal Hockley. He is a caricature of an individual and is clearly written to be very over the top in his jealousy surrounding Rose and Jack’s love affair, but Zane perfectly understands what is needed from him to really hit the sweet spot with the character. He is undeniably the most entertaining actor in the film, and his performance is one that is never not amusing. The on the nose, over-the-top nature of his character is a driving force throughout Jack and Rose’s star-crossed lovers story. He is an obstacle to be sure but a worthy one, and he is constantly hamming it up on screen in such an eccentric yet perfectly toned manner. Audiences can’t help but love to hate him and he plays his role to a tee. 

The second half is where the film is at its most visually and technically impressive. The commotion and the despair that is felt throughout the destruction and devastation is intense. Cameron and his team construct such a terrifying portrait of fear and desperation. From the claustrophobic drowned out cabins below the deck, to the mass scale devastation on the deck, the filmmaking is at its most impressive when the massive set pieces are on display. The camera moves throughout the ship and around the devastation in such a way that the horrors are felt to such a strong degree. One cannot help but watch in sadness and shock at what is going on. The tonal shift is done so brilliantly, and despite knowing exactly how things will turn out, the fear can still be felt. 

In the end, Titanic is a film that will continue to live on. It is in a class of its own, considering how iconic and popular it is. There is a uniqueness to its charm and the way it completely swept up the planet in 1997 when it was first released is still so impressive to reflect back on today. It remains one of the most awe-inspiring pictures of all time, and it was great to have squeezed it into a Valentine’s Day release slot for in time for its 25th anniversary. The 4K rendering is beautiful and makes the film look brand new in terms of quality.

There is just something special about seeing a classic on the big screen again so many years after its initial release, and if we are all lucky enough to be around in 25 years, I’ll gladly be there to see Titanic on its 50th.   

*still courtesy of 20th Century Studios*

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Brennan Dubé

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