James Cameron is equal parts a technician and an artist. Say what you will about him pivoting his career from one-off experiences to the world of Pandora (three more Avatars are on the way). Still, he cultivates thrilling films about the work process – people doing particular jobs in unique places. Whether underwater, on the water, in outer space, or on alien worlds, we get to know characters, their relationships, the roles they play, and the consequences of their actions.
With half of his filmography newly released on 4K Ultra HD and 4K UHD Digital, it’s the perfect time to peel back the layers across his work, soak in the awe and wonder of his visuals, and speculate what he may be saying while entertaining us.
For part two, here’s 1997’s Titanic. (View Pt. 1 – The Abyss here.)
TITANIC
1997 | PG-13 | 194 min.
Not to get too personal with my discussion about this film, but Titanic is a big deal. Along with Jurassic Park, this theatrical experience most sparked my love for filmmaking. So, in many ways, I owe this film for putting me where I am — and boy, Titanic still dazzles and makes my heart swell.
Just as Cameron opens The Abyss and Aliens, we follow a group of people as they investigate a location. We meet Bill Paxton’s famed treasure hunter character, Brock Lovett. He’s diving down to the sunken Titanic site, where it has rested for almost a century, to find the precious Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace. He and his team find a safe within the ship, bring it to the surface, and crack it open, but no diamond. They do discover a drawing of the necklace that could point them in the right direction, and it does. It leads them to Rose Dewitt Bukater (Gloria Stuart as older Rose and Kate Winslet as young Rose), the Titanic survivor featured in the drawing. So, expect a remarkable story.
Titanic is a perfect combination of Cameron’s talents as a storyteller. He wrangles together a cast of characters with fun personalities. They each make their mark, from Leonardo DiCaprio’s adventurous spirit as Jack Dawson, Kathy Bates’ sharp wit as Molly Brown, and Billy Zane’s slimy power game as Cal Hockley. You love the characters you’re supposed to love and hate the ones you’re supposed to hate.
We also get an intriguing history lesson about the ship. Cameron isn’t keeping too many secrets from his audience. We learn about the ship’s sinking at the start. We don’t know how it impacted people and how they behaved in this tragic hour. Cameron is gifted at examining human behavior, and we see plenty of individuals make decisions that haunt them.
Cameron is also gifted with properly building tension and laying down a strong emotional current. We become invested in everyone’s role. So, when the ice hits the deck, we’re all the more dialed into the happenings. And the happenings are a sight to behold. Through Cameron’s practical effects, we feel the passengers’ fear as water comes rushing down hallways and through windows. It’s got the ticking clock aspect, and Cameron will occasionally show a wide shot to keep us informed along the way. It helps that Cameron gives a proper sense of the ship’s geography. That attention to detail shows.
In 4K, the film stuns. Much like The Abyss, the age only shows during a few computer-generated images. There’s a million-dollar FX shot right after Jack exclaims the famous line, “I’m the king of the world.” The camera gives us a bird’s eye view of the entire ship and all the early PlayStation-looking people walking on the deck. It played well in 1997; however, those moments stick out when everything around those images are sharpened. It’s not enough to take you out of the film, but it’s noticeable.
What’s also extraordinary about this film’s release are all the bonus features. They throw everything in. You can even watch some raw footage (especially in the Avatar extras, but more on that later). By the end, if you take it all in, you feel as much of an expert as the storytellers involved. You know what happened on that fateful night and what it took to recapture it for big screen. So, if you’re down for a cheaper-than-school filmmaking lesson, this is a good 101.
Titanic isn’t shy about reaching for the heartstrings, but it’s so well made and acted that it’s impossible to look away from. It will continue to be celebrated and honored for its achievements for longer than our lifetimes. It’s a must-own movie.
Grade: A
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- RESTORED IN 4K
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- DOLBY ATMOS AUDIO TRACK
- NEW Titanic: Stories From The Heart – Director James Cameron, producer Jon Landau and star Kate Winslet share memories and favorite moments, and recount the challenges of making the greatest love story in cinema history. Go back in time with film clips, photos and behind-the-scenes moments
- NEW Titanic – 25 Years Later with James Cameron – James Cameron explores the enduring myths and mysteries of the shipwreck, and mounts tests to see whether Jack could have fit on that raft and survived.
- Audio commentaries
- And a Lot More (over 15 hours of bonus content)
- Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles for the main feature
