It was 1997 that changed cinema forever and April 12th 1912 that shook the world. It can be said that both dates shook the world by the core, causing both excitement and tragedy. I’m talking about James Cameron’s mighty Titanic. The film is over 20 years old and it is still one of the greatest films ever made. With his upcoming Avatar sequels approaching around the corner,  here are ten reasons why James Cameron’s Titanic is still the ultimate blockbuster. It’s the perfect example of the tragic blockbuster, which is a genre we don’t come across often in 2021.   Let’s get started!

10) It actually happened

Blockbusters have more weight when you know it’s based on a true story. The film is more or less pretty accurate. If anything, the film asks questions about the real tragedy because some details are still left unanswered. This adds to the fun of researching more about the exact details of 1912. Not many blockbusters carry that same level of engagement.

We usually see explosions and spectacle, but not much else. Michael Bay wishes he could have the same level of authenticity in his films, as shown in his bombastic Transformers series. Titanic is based on real source material, which gives you a reason to care about what’s happening on screen. After watching, It may get you to research like a mad scientist!

9) Adventure 

For such a tragic story, there is a sense of adventure. The first half of the film is enthralling. James Cameron captures the excitement of getting on board the ship and travelling, with the goal of a new opportunity, a feeling that most would have shared in 1912.

Its adventure is also shown in the opening scene, where James Cameron puts the audience right at the bottom of the ocean. That’s right, we see the real shipwreck before it sinks. We get as close to the shipwreck without actually doing the real thing. That’s immersive cinema at its best.

8) Exploration

It takes you back to the night of April 12th. Not only will audiences be enthralled by the scope of the disaster, but they might learn something new about the tragedy. The opening scene is a homage to the real shipwreck, lying right at the bottom of the ocean. We get to see a close up of the wreck, around 85 years after the disaster. James Cameron takes the audience right to the wreck.

It feels like a documentary and it’s as close you might ever get to the real experience, unless you really want to dive yourself. Some blockbusters steer away from any realism, including Justin Lin’s Fast saga, yet Titanic works as a documentary in some scenes. The opening is the most documentary-like. 

7) Practical effects 

This is not a CGI fest, like most of the popcorn films today. James Cameron assembled one of the most impressive production crews ever in film history. The production achievement was beyond remarkable.

The attention to detail, when re-creating the ship is impeccable. CGI would become more used in the very late 90’s and early 2000’s, with The Phantom Menace and The Matrix. Titanic was concerned with really taking the audience on board the ship and you can’t do that with a fake ship. 

Once the ship hits the iceberg, the use of real sets come into play. 

6) Love Story 

This is the ultimate tragic love story and it still is. Some audience weren’t that keen on some parts of the dialogue, but it was a really intelligent move for James Cameron to approach the disaster with a romantic focus. This allows us to identify and connect with at least two characters.

For a blockbuster this intense, the love story works more for me than most romantic comedies. They are put in by far the most stressful situation in history and for that I cared.

5) Genre

It has its own genre,

I like to define Titanic as a tragic blockbuster. The blockbuster appeal comes from the thrilling spectacle, but the tragedy parts comes from the disaster itself and the romance. But, the genre does not end there. It must be the most diverse blockbuster in history. Most blockbusters have one genre focus and its typically action spectacle. 

In 2021, it still is a new breed of cinema. Perhaps, it’s genre was just as new as the RMS Titanic was to the people back in April 1912.

4) Cast  

An ensemble of talent, matching the gravitas of the ship.

I mentioned Leo and Kate, but the other cast members help hold this film together. We have Bill Paxton, Kathy Bates, Bill Zane, Victor Garber and more. The cast also look like the real crew of the ship, which adds to the authenticity. It was great casting by Mia Finn.

3) Soundtrack 

Of course, I had to mention the soundtrack, how could I not. The songs range from emotional to thrilling. James Horner would later work on the Perfect Storm, but this may be his best work. The music provides the scenery with a perfect template. Iconic tracks include Hymn to the sea and my heart will go on. Click here to listen to the full playlist on Youtube.

2)Tragedy

This film captured tragedy like no other blockbuster in history. There are particular scenes that are just haunting. The violin scene is hard to get through as it actually happened. The tragedy works well because the first half of the film has a heroic and ambitious quality.

When the ship starts going down, James Cameron holds no punches. We see people screaming from every corner. The Grand staircase scene is the standout sequence, showing tragedy at its most grand. 

1) The Ending 

No film in history has a more controversial ending. Over 20 years later, audiences and critics are still discussing why Leo didn’t survive. People still care about these characters or are at least invested. No ending in cinematic history will ever be as significant. Other than Christopher Nolan’s Inception.

What I took away was that James Cameron wanted Leo to die because it emphasizes how much these two were in love and the best way to show that theme is to have one of them die. It’s the ending that never leaves you. How much more of a powerful and memorable ending do you want from cinema?

You know it’s good when you become just as invested with the real characters than you do with the real spectacle. 

Bravo, Mr Cameron!

Final thoughts

Would you survive the sinking of Titanic?

Comment below and let me know. 

You can visit the Belfast’s Titanic expedition here.

Author bio

Sam is a content writer. He loves all elements connected with film and writes with passion, always. You can find him on his Linkedin, where you will be able to read more articles. When he is not writing, you can find him practicing football.