Rewatching the Titanic in 3D

This past weekend, I got around to seeing the release of Titanic in 3D, actually watching it the entire way through for the first time since I saw it in theaters in 1997. Truth be told, the three dimensional aspect did not improve the general movie-going experience, though it was nice to be able to witness the film on the big screen again.

Photo from Titanicmovie.com

The 3D-effect could only be perceived slightly through the entirety of the movie; the most is seen when the small submarines are heading towards the Titanic wreck and flecks of debris come towards the lens.  Sadly, the 3D release was most likely an attempt to make more money with heightened ticket prices that society (including myself) would be willing to pay in honor of the centurial anniversary of the tragedy. Even though the 3D didn’t make the movie any better, it was a great opportunity to have the chance to compare their understanding and perceptions of the movie since the first viewing.

I was alarmed by the completely different effect the movie had on me the second time around. As a child, I loved the movie purely for the epic Celine Dion song and for Jack and Rose’s loving relationship that I could only hope to obtain when I was a “big kid.”Obviously, I did not understand the greater ramifications tragedy that was the sinking of the Titanic. Watching for three hours, knowing what was going to happen and witnessing how many different things could have been done to prevent the catastrophe, was a painful experience.

The hardest lesson came in the end, when it was revealed how many people went into the water, and how few survived because only one lifeboat was willing to return for survivors. The commentary on humanity was sickening, first demonstrated by Rose’s mother asking “if the lifeboats are arranged by class,” before agreeing to get on the boat, even as the ship sank beneath her feet. It makes one wonder if we have learned anything from this tragedy, if anyone would be willing to be the Molly Brown of the movie, desperately trying to save those whose lost lives could have easily been prevented.

Even though I didn’t think the 3D effects added much to this movie, seeing Titanic on the big screen when I was old enough to understand the complications of the situation gave me a much deeper understanding of the significance of this event to our history.