Titanic takes another voyage...in 3D

“Titanic” sailed again yesterday when Paramount Pictured re-released the film in a 3-D version.  

Hearts swooned again over James Cameron’s epic story of love on the doomed ship. The film still packed its punch for action and drama while focusing on the tale of Jack Dawson and Rose Dewitt Bukater. The film still garnered the same amount of excitement as the original.

While it was interesting to see a young Leonardo DiCaprio on screen, the film lacked much difference from the original. Blood temperatures still rose when Jack and Rose ran through the boiler room, and it was hard to not mock some of the more cheesy lines of the film. Jack’s “I’m the king of the world,” line still soared on screen, and Rose’s infamous spit in Cal’s face still draws praise.

The 3-D version didn’t greatly change the original film. Viewers did have floating particles jump out at them, but the most noticeable difference was the actual third dimension of the film. Textures looked clearer. Rose’s scarf that flies in the wind when she “flies” seemed to be flying by itself. The water splashed more when the first smokestack fell.

Other characters still shine in the film. Kathy Bates as Molly “The Unsinkable” Brown was still as charming as before, and audiences still find it easy to hate Rose’s fiance, Cal. Other memorable characters stood out as much as before, including the ship captain, Edward John Smith and officer Murdoch.

One thing that certainly didn’t change was the score and soundtrack of the film. Still as beautiful as when first heard, flutes echo Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” throughout the movie. The steerage dance scene, a personal favorite, seemed to be more vibrant than ever with new sound remastering.

The special effects of the film, which were ground-breaking at the time, are magnified with 3-D effects. The ship looks even larger when leaving from port. The dolphins jumping in front of the ship jump out of the screen. Cameron did a great job with the special effects before, and the effects feel even more real in the new digital, 3-D form.

Another part of the movie that has stood the test of time is its storyline. The audience still hopes and prays for Jack and Rose’s survival. Despite the known ending of the story, the plots still grabs viewers with its multiple layers. A favorite layer is where the famed “Heart of The Ocean” necklace goes on its various travels.  

What was the best part of the film in its glorious 3-D version? Perhaps it was the feeling that the audience was watching it for the first time again. The music still swelled perfectly, and the special effects still made the ship come alive. We still had to fight back tears when Rose tells Jack that final time, “I’ll never let go.”

We will never let go of “Titanic.”  Our hearts will go on until the next big thing in re-releases.