Review of Titanic

Introduction

Titanic was an infamous film that was hyped up to unbelievable levels before its release. Stories ran amok of massive sets and practically every major CGI film studio bought in to complete the enormous number of effects shots that were going to be needed for this film. Entire ship sequences needed to be re-shot in the computer because they had lit the ship from the wrong direction (making the ship look as though it was going west-to-east – back towards Ireland!). Complaints ran high of Jim Cameron’s punishing schedule with actors, and calls from stuntmen that the stunts they were being asked to perform were unsafe. This was before reports of the budget – the largest budget ever spent on a film in history - was rising so high that Jim Cameron took responsibility for this by renouncing his profit share (if any were to be made). The film needed to put so many bums on seats in cinemas that it looked as though it would be impossible to break even… it looked like another Waterworld!

However, Jim Cameron was at the helm and what was produced was a great story. Obviously a film this big has been parodied to death, so now can seem a bit naff, but remember the furore surrounding its opening? Remember watching it for the first time in awe of the special effects? Remember hoping that Leo and Kate were going to make it? Cameron crafted a fictional love story around a disaster in a new and exciting way and so deserved the attention, and finally the profits that this film garnered. Sure, it starts off slow, and if you’re anything like me, the movie really starts when the ship careers into the iceberg (I still watch that scene hoping that the boat will miss!). However, the first 90 minutes is necessary for us to watch it with some feeling for the events that will conspire in the last 90.

Video

Disappointingly this isn’t an anamorphic release that is inexcusable for a major Hollywood release like this. However, the THX transfer is impeccable. It is really sharp and shouldn’t detract you from buying the film. All colours are well represented and are bold and vibrant. The picture literally leaps off the screen, and there are numerable sequences that show this to great effect – the ship transforming from being at the bottom of the ocean to ‘new’, the interiors that the camera wonders through and the flooding sets with water tearing towards you make this an excellent visual experience. Shadow details are excellent – you can see the water dripping off the bottom of the ship when it starts its vertical climb out of the water. Wonderful stuff, it just stops getting full marks for not being anamorphic.

Audio

The large sound complements the ‘massive’ picture also. Its films like these that make you realise that your 28” widescreen TV cannot compete with the scale that the sound (and picture) has to offer. This is an extremely active mix using the full dynamic range to show off the scale and power of the ship. At points the soundtrack is quiet and subdued, and then really leaps into action with the next scene. This can sound a little too lively and have you diving for the remote – initial scenes of the sub examining the wreck, and the helicopter that brings Rose Dawson onto the search vessel are two such examples.

This aside, dialogue is excellent. All voices are well represented, and you never loose the speech no matter how busy the mix gets. The main LR pair are also well used with a clean and clear treble and some forceful, punchy midrange and bass effects coming out of them. It’s so punchy it sometimes feels like you will be sitting with the speaker cones on your lap if they leap out any further. The rears are very well used, mainly for ambient effects during the first half of the movie, but then ramping it up six gears to create the full tumultuous effect of a HUGE ship sinking in the latter half. Every creak and groan of the ship is well placed giving an excellent surround experience that makes other action-laden movies pale into insignificance. Finally the LFE channel will get an excellent workout through the 3 hours, and I suppose this is what seals it for this film. The enormity of the ship is excellently (and most accurately) represented by the “feeling” of size, which is conveyed in the .1 track.

Features

There is very little in the way of extras on the DVD. Maybe not surprising owing to its 3 hour running time, but this is the biggest movie ever made. Surely this deserves a second DVD with all the supplemental material that that should provide. A making of documentary, deleted scenes, production stills, storyboards, CGI documentary etc. I feel are a necessary part of the information that should be documented for all to enjoy on such an historic movie. Unfortunately all we get here is the trailer in Stereo. Not good enough.

Conclusion

I think its time to put away the populist notion about Titanic being a ‘naff’ film just because it went on to be so successful. Here you have a story that appeals to all comers – a romantic love story, a disaster flick, an action movie and an epic – stunning visuals, great special effects and truly knockout, powerful surround sound are all rolled into 3 hours.

And this is why it didn’t become a Waterworld, going on to take over a billion at the box office worldwide, and winning 9 Oscars on Oscar-night. Not since Ben-Hur has there been a film that has taken so many gongs. This is amazing! This is Titanic!