Iffy for 12+
Great movie, but not appropriate for all kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that James Cameron's King-of-the-World saga Titanic is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time and is still sure to attract young teen and tween audiences. There's brief nudity (a topless Rose poses for a nude drawing) and sexuality (Jack and Rose make love in the backseat of a car), but the forbidden romance between the main characters (played by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) is otherwise rather chaste by today's PG-13 standards. It's the epic Titanic sinking scene that may make this movie too intense for younger kids. Throughout the mass chaos, people are fighting, shooting at each other, plunging to their watery deaths, and in some cases, even committing suicide. The fact that this is based on a historical event may be too intense for sensitive children, but mature kids fascinated with the Titanic will find it compelling to watch.
- Families can talk about how in the face of catastrophe, people's true characters were revealed by their choices. How do different people on board the Titanic react to the ship sinking? Who were the bravest? Who were the most selfish?
- Has society's emphasis on class changed since the time period depicted in Titanic? What are other social considerations that divide people nowadays? How does Rose's life after the Titanic pay tribute to her brief love affair with Jack?
- James Cameron is known for depicting strong, fearless female characters. If you're familiar with his other movies, compare Rose to Ripley (Aliens), Sarah Connor (The Terminator), and Neytiri, Trudy, and Grace (Avatar).
The good stuff
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Messages: Early 20th-century class issues are at the heart of the conflict between Jack and Rose's whirlwind relationship. High-society folks didn't socialize with those beneath their status at the time, but Jack and Rose fall in love despite those societal trappings, proving that a person's worth is far greater than the station they were born into. Both of them overcome numerous obstacles to be together. The idea that first-class passengers' lives are somehow more important than lesser-class passengers is exposed as disgusting.
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Role models: Jack and Rose transcend societal expectations and fall in love with each other, acting bravely to help save themselves and others. The "Haves" for the most part -- excepting Molly Brown, the Captain, and the ship architect -- aren't the most admirable lot. Many people onboard act selfishly, like Cal, who pretends a small child is his to get a spot on a lifeboat, or the shipworker who refuses to allow his half-filled lifeboat to return to save more people.
What to watch for
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Violence: Extremely intense action, especially as the Titanic begins to sink. There's mass chaos that leads to fist fights, pushing, gun violence, and even suicide. People plunge to their deaths in icy waters, some of them being killed by falling debris from the ship. Almost everyone left in the water drowns, and there are close-ups of some passengers who choose to never even attempt to leave the ship, preferring to await the inevitable in their rooms or lounges.
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Sex: One scene of a topless woman as she poses for a painting, plus shots of that painting, as well as a few other nude drawings. Jack and Rose flirt, kiss passionately, and eventually make love. The love scene doesn't include any nudity, but the couple is sweaty, out-of-breath, bare-shouldered, and on top of each other.
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Language: The most commonly used swear is "s--t," which is repeated several times throughout the movie. Other strong language includes one "f--k," "son of a bitch," "damn," "hell," "ass," "bloody," and several "goddamns" "oh my Gods," and other exclamations, especially toward the end. Insulting taunts include "slut," "whore," and "moron."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The first-class passengers drink wine and champagne with dinner, and the men leave to smoke cigars and drink brandy after dinner (accurate for the time period); the steerage passengers get drunk at a late-night party where beer is plentiful. Jack smokes cigarettes in a few scenes. Rose tries to smoke a cigarette, but her fiance stops her; later she does smoke one.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Titanic 3D by Chentzu
I love this movie!!! I own it in all media!! When it came out the first time I went to the theater 5 times. I had no idea how much this movie was to play a part in my life until I lost my husband and then three years later my daughter. So now everyday I must tell myself that I must go on for them. I went to the preview last night and when Jack tells Rose that she must go on and live her life no matter how bad things get to go on and never forget, it reminded me that I must go on for them.
You must go see this movie!! Not only because of the historical value but because it is a love story that will play over and over in your heart.
5
Classic by suemarie
I have seen this movie many times, but it has been a while. I saw it last night in a huge theater ( Regal ) in 3D and it was almost like seeing it for the first time. I was totally engrossed and got weepy. The 3D is subttle, but it did look great. See it again or see it for the first time. Fantastic!
5
You need to go back to Titanic! by Starshine_111174
I was a huge fan of Titanic when it first was released, seeing it 14 times in the theater, so needless to say I was very excited for the 3D release. I have incredibly inflated expectations, and Titanic in 3D surpassed them all. I felt like I was seeing the movie for the first time. There was so much depth and detail - you feel like you are walking the boat deck with Jack and Rose. I cannot recommend this movie high enough. It is utterly fantastic and everyone should go see it!
5
15 Years later... and it's still incredible! by seanpalladino
I am probably the outlier here, but I have never since Titanic until last night. And man, I have been missing a lot! I took my girlfriend to this brilliant film, and she was shocked that I have not seen it yet.
But now that I have, I must proclaim that this is surely one of the most romanic, adventurous, epic movies of the last couple decades. I also would highly suggest you go see this film with your girlfriend or wife, or anyone that you love. It will make the first half of the film endurable and enjoyable.
What are you still doing here reading by review? Go see it now! :)
4
Titanic Leaps Off Screen by CLASSICFAN
I saw Titanic in 3-D last night. The images were clearer, certain characters in certain scenes appeared to come off the screen. The scenes of James Cameron's actual dives to the wreck appeared surreal. The particles swept by the ocean currents looked like they were also coming at the audience. The water engulfing the inside of the ship, the deck cables snapping , and the cranks of the engines all looked spectacular. Even the soundtrack and background conversations had a very enhanced feel.
By all means go and see this new version of an already classic film.
5
Titanic 3-D by lcookerimax
I really did not know what to expect, but what I found is I was overwhelmed by the suffering and anxiety the actors portrayed in the movie. I was much younger when I saw this for the first time (and many times after that), but I have not watched it in quite a while. The 3-D version made it much more REAL!! It never felt like a 3+ hour movie before and especially didn't feel it this time - I actually wanted more!
I took my 21 year old daughter with me and she absolutely loved it.
This is a Must Go!!
4
Drama filled and action packed (sorta) by briannebella
This movie was really thrilling, whether you saw it before or not. Seeing it in the three dimensional vision was a cool experience and also it was a clearer more updated picture.
One thing:
THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR JACK. PERIOD!!!!!! .
And Cal definitely wears guy-liner.
:3)
THERES MORE!
And Rose is like "I'll never let go Jack!" Then she lets go?!?!?!!? Like seriously Rose? Gosh. He like sunk. Yush.
Ok bye.
4
Exactly as I remember it by miko14526
The story is still great and it doesn't feel 3 plus hours long. I don't feel the 3D really added anything but it was nice to see on the big screen again.
5
Awesome First Time!! by S_Hauschild18
This was the first time i saw the Titanic all the way through. It was amazing in 3D and a really good movie, you have to go see it!! It has a really good story line and is not over-dramatized at all. The drama in this movie was right on queue for the situations and peoples lives that were in danger.
5
An old friend returned... by eWILSONm
Saw it 3 times in 8th grade, so it was wonderful having it back on the big screen, 3D or not. Not sure the 3D really added a whole lot.