My thoughts on Titanic

Titanic – I Finally Saw It!

 

Last Friday night I finally saw the epic money maker Titanic.  The story as to why it took so long is not an interesting one, but I will share it anyway.  When Titanic first came out I just didn’t have the opportunity.  I was not going to a lot of movies then (dry spell for me) and nothing really screamed “Go see this!”  When I finally decided to go there was a load of traffic heading into Burbank (cause it was any day of the week and any time) and we missed the showing.  I had no interest in hanging around Burbank on a Sunday for another 3 hours, so we turned around and went home.  And had a much better time (not going to even attempt a going down on the Titanic comment – just not worthy of it).  I find out on Monday that it was the weekend that Titanic beat out Star Wars for top grossing film.  I’m glad I wasn’t part of that!!  A while later it comes out on video (remember video?) and I actually waited to get it previously viewed I thought I might be helping to lower the grosses.  The video (double video) sat on my shelf, untouched.

So this friend of mine form High School and I get in a chat about Star Wars (about 8 years ago around the time of my 30^th reunion).  Ends up she and the girl I had a massive crush on in first grade saw Star Wars after we graduated (as had I) and loved it.  Of course I hadn’t seen either since before graduation.  How things could have changed.  Anyway this friend ends up being a real Titanic lover as well and was devastated that I hadn’t seen it   She’s been bugging me ever since to see it and even sent me some Star Wars and Titanic stuff she had sitting around her house (How sweet, really).  Finally, I get back from Legoland to this great box of books (Titanic and King of Prussia) and I just said, “It’s time!”  So I ordered the Blu Ray from Amazon and alerted the kids.  George was fine, Victoria afraid it would be sad.  She isn’t big on sad movies.  I assured her that she would enjoy it as my friend (“Is it a girl?  Why are you talking to a girl?”) said she would really like it.  And that this friend had two daughters who had seen it a bunch of times.

 

No, seriously, I’m going to talk about the movie shortly.

 

Victoria said fine.  George was looking forward to it.  Friday Night Movie night was upon us.  We got ourselves a pizza (Salami and onions) and sat down to enjoy the movie.

 

I did enjoy it. I didn’t think it was a great film but found it entertaining.  I felt it was a bit long in the tooth and that the preamble went on for far too long.  Also, the post collision stuff was a bit much.  But I liked it.  I was left with an odd feeling though.  I felt like it was a self serving movie for Cameron.  I t had a distinct feel of “Look what I made!”  Hard to describe beyond that.  I had a similar feeling after seeing Avaturd (that’s what I call it at least).

 

As the ship pulled out of the harbor (had it already been 3 hours?), George commented that the special effects reminded him of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Very glossy.  I found it interesting that he was able to recognize that scene as special effects on top of his comparison.

 

Victoria loved it.  She was apprehensive for the beginning, convinced it was going to be sad but after the first few hours passed, she was giddy and smiling and declaring it one of her favorite movies.  Then the ship hit the ice.  We paused the film as it seemed like a good time and she needed to call her Mom.  She was a bit taken aback that there was over an hour left to go.  She even made the comment on her Mom’s voicemail.

 

As that hour unfolded she got more and more upset.  Not angry, mad.  She was terribly upset about how the people on the lower decks were locked off and the life boats leaving half full.  Even at the end of the flashback, as Kate Winslett (who looked surprisingly like Scully from the X Files throughout the film) was being rescued.  No tears, just anger.  After the ending that I swear Lost stole for their Finale, she declared she hated the movie and never wanted to see it again.  I tried to tell her how it was a happy ending in a way but she wouldn’t hear about it.  I’m happy to report, no bad dreams that night or since.  I don’t think we will be seeing it again.

 

George didn’t like all the mushy stuff and commented again on the effects. 

 

I loved the score.  I thought the casting was great (loved Kathy Bates and Billy Zane especially).  I wasn’t bothered by the glossy and kind of obvious effects.  I felt the story dragged at parts.  My favorite scene had to be the dinner when Jack shows up in the tux (Billy Zane is such a dick!).  Pardon the pun but I felt the post crash went a tad overboard.  Went on just a little too long.  And I did almost yell, “Just blow the damned whistle!” near the end.  And yes, I am me; I did like the sketching scene.  I happen to find Kate Winslett quite attractive and I like her body type (female – had to throw that in).

 

I initially thought I can’t imagine seeing it again, but I can, and I will, sometime.

 

Funny moment.  My friend had mentioned that Victoria wouldn’t understand the car scene.  So the scene happens, the windows steam, the hands go up, and we cut to the interior with the two of them naked and sweaty.  Victoria turns to me and asks why they’re sweaty.  Before I need to reply she responds to herself, “Oh, cause they were running through that really hot part in the ship before.”