Using a flashback narrative style, the plot follows the retelling of a love story between impoverished artist Jack (Leonardo Dicaprio), and high-society girl Rose (Kate Winslet), as they find love aboard the doomed vessel. The story itself is retold via the lens of an aged Rose (Gloria Stuart), who weaves the narrative for the benefit of scientific researches uncovering the wreckage of the ship.
As befits its name, Titanic is a movie that has a formidable amount of sentimentality mixed into its story, an element that will please die-hard romantics, but which the more cynical moviegoer may find cloyingly melodramatic. Thankfully, the film`s humour and the natural chemistry of the leading couple shine through, with the result being a film that, while ludicrously romantic, is still emotionally engaging.
Director Cameron skippers this project with an ease that belies it`s epic nature, striking a balance between the myriad characters, world-building, and the film`s central narrative. Longtime DiCaprio fans will likely find his fresh-faced performance a nostalgic one – if the gushing of the ladies seated next to me during the screening was anything to go by – and Kate Winslet`s winning charm in full period regalia is reprised in subtly evocative 3D.
For diehard romantics and those of you who missed the boat the first time round, Titanic 3D is a worthwhile revisiting of an iconic love story. Despite the skepticism we tend to feel towards post-conversion 3D releases, this is arguably as good as it gets.
Summary: All aboard!
Rating: 4/5
* Check out the featurette of James Cameron on what leads him to convert his second biggest movie of all time into 3D, after the jump.