Titanic (1997)

[Overdose]

When Titanic was released the world was in the first years of the Internet craze. Everyone was becoming desensitized to human tragedy and was wasting their lives away online. However, when Titanic was released it struck a cord with many people. It reminded everyone that any day could be your last and that you must live each day to the fullest. This is primarily what captivated the hearts and minds of a large chunk of the world. Titanic was released at the very moment many needed a reality-check. It showed us through this brilliantly crafted film that there is still a need for love and compassion and that our world is still filled with human tragedy, not just computers.

Another primary reason why Titanic is a phenomenal film is the well-acted love story between Jack and Rose. The love story created an emotional doorway to the tragedy that occurred that night. As a viewer you began to care for the characters. Through this you felt the feelings of those who lost their lives and loved ones on this fatal shipwreck. Having these lovers come from different social classes also allowed the viewers to see the mentality of 1912 through two different perspectives. It gave the audience insight into how man thought they were above Mother Nature, how women were expected to behave and how lower classes were treated inhumanly. The love story was crucial to telling the full story of Titanic.

Titanic has several others qualities that set it apart from other films. Firstly, the amazing music, which set the tone for each scene perfectly. Secondly, the outstanding cinematography that gave a variety of different angles shown in a unique fashion, which thus allowed you to feel that you were actually aboard the ship. Thirdly, the impeccable sets and costumes gave an extremely authentic feel to the movie. Fourthly, Titanic included many interesting facts throughout the film, such as not having enough lifeboats for all its passengers, increasing more speed regardless of ice warnings, telling us how many people were saved from the freezing water and other numerous facts and figures. Finally, the ending tied everything together perfectly with Rose doing everything she promised Jack and eventually dying warm in her bed, while her soul returns to Titanic.

Cameron’s film was flawless for it blended past and present perfectly, while telling the story of Titanic in its entirety, by showing the true tragedy of Titanic, which was that loved ones (IE: Jack and Rose) were torn apart. This film deserves the 11 Oscars it received (including Best Picture) and achieving the worldwide position of the 3rd highest grossing film of all time (inflation included). Titanic revived what was lacking in the new age of the Internet and reminded us that we must make each and every day count.

PS: Honestly, I want to drive this point home because people always bash the love story.

People lost their loved ones and lives on Titanic, and Rose loosing Jack is exactly what happened when Titanic sank, loved ones were being torn apart. This is why having a love story is crucial to telling the full story of Titanic.

[Mikado]

Funny thing, I went to see the film for technical reasons (Have been a Titanic buff for 30 years), and fell in love with the film. The love story, is fictional, of course, but, everything else was fairly accurate ( Total accuracy is almost impossible as many witnesses gave differing accounts of that night in April of 1912 ). it may be the only film that runs nearly 3 hours, that i ever felt would have been even better, had it run LONGER!

[Janice]

I loved Titanic. It's made the most money of any movie ever made. Everyone I know enjoyed the love story angle. I also don't think people were wasting their lives away on the Internet in 1997. Maybe some are today, but not 10 years ago. I also don't think the movie was a wakeup call or reality check for anyone either. It was simply a fantastic movie, but it didn't change the world.

[Nighthawk76]

I saw the movie in the theaters and thought that it was pretty good. I haven't seen it since though.

[TJL]

Sorry folks, IMO there's another movie that changed the world:

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by TJL

Sorry folks, IMO there's another movie that changed the world:

I think it had less to do with changing the World and more to do with how movies were made and promoted ( And it wasnt for the better ); Titanic was a return to making movies the old-fashioned way, IMHO .

[TJL]

Originally Posted by Mikado

I think it had less to do with changing the World and more to do with how movies were made and promoted ( And it wasnt for the better ); Titanic was a return to making movies the old-fashioned way, IMHO .

Titanic had more special effects shots than Star Wars. That's not old fashioned movie making.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by TJL

Titanic had more special effects shots than Star Wars. That's not old fashioned movie making.

That's right, and Titantic was 20 years after Star Wars, so the improvement in special effects is to be expected.

[Overdose]

Originally Posted by TJL

Sorry folks, IMO there's another movie that changed the world:

Almost all critics gave Titanic wonderful reviews and the Academy Awards gave it 11 wins. It is one of the most highly decorated films ever. That has to show something. Also, the soundtrack for Titanic shot to #1, as did the single "My Heart Will Go On" around the entire world. This movie will become a classic (when you add in all of this, plus the ticket sales) and time will only start to show this.

It has been easier for Star Wars to stay current or with the times because there are 6 movies they have released over the years in order to finish the Star Wars story, which has kept it in the public eye and it appeals to all ages and sexes.

Also it is a movie that is far easier to make action figurers, t-shirts and merchandise for, which in-turn allows it to stay in the public eye longer as well. Don't get me wrong, Star Wars is a classic, is successful and I love Star Wars. But come on, Titanic holds its own.

[TJL]

Didn't mean to start an arguement her folks, I was just kidding. Titanic was the first film to gross a billion bucks worldwide. That truly is an impressive achievement.

[Mikado]

TJL posted:

Titanic had more special effects shots than Star Wars. That's not old fashioned movie making.

I meant in that Titanic was story and character driven, in the way of a true 1930s film classic. Yes there were special effects but, unlike Star Wars, they ( Along with commercial tie-ins ) werent the main focus of the film.

[Zebra 3]

Originally Posted by Overdose

The love story was crucial to telling the full story of Titanic.

The implausible love story was fictional. It had nothing to do with the sinking of the Titanic and everything to do with the three very long hours I sat to watch this overhyped Hollywood crapfest. To tell you the truth, I was actually rooting for the iceberg and for everyone to perish including the old bag and director James Cameron.

[Overdose]

Originally Posted by Zebra 3

The implausible love story was fictional. It had nothing to do with the sinking of the Titanic and everything to do with the three very long hours I sat to watch this overhyped Hollywood crapfest. To tell you the truth, I was actually rooting for the iceberg and for everyone to perish including the old bag and director James Cameron.

Jack and Rose fell in love, and when Jack died viewers felt, hopefully, how those who lost their loved ones felt when Titanic sank.

The love story was a way to create an emotional doorway to the true tragedy of that night, which was that loved ones were split apart, as Jack and Rose were in the movie.

Having these lovers come from different social classes also allowed the viewers to see the mentality of 1912 through two different perspectives. It gave the audience insight into how man thought they were above Mother Nature, how women were expected to behave and how lower classes were treated inhumanly. The love story was crucial to telling the full story of Titanic.

I guess to each their own, but I thought the love story was a genius way to convey the true story of Titanic.

[Brian Damage]

I don't think Titanic "changed the world." It was a good film, but not rewatchable IMHO

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by Zebra 3

The implausible love story was fictional. It had nothing to do with the sinking of the Titanic and everything to do with the three very long hours I sat to watch this overhyped Hollywood crapfest. To tell you the truth, I was actually rooting for the iceberg and for everyone to perish including the old bag and director James Cameron.

Youre right the love story was fictional, but, that doesnt mean it wasnt a good story, nonetheless.