Is Titanic A Great Movie? Why It’s So Difficult To Agree

James Cameron’s 1997 epic Titanic is one of the most popular movies of all time, but there is a heated debate about if it is actually a great movie. The film undoubtedly had a massive cultural impact, launching several careers, reigniting interest in the real-life Titanic story, and becoming a massive box-office success. However, as the years have passed public opinion on Titanic has shifted, causing many to question if the film is a masterpiece or if it’s an overrated crowdpleaser that doesn’t have much to offer.

When James Cameron’s Titanic was first released in 1997, it was a smash hit, quickly becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time. Although Titanic has been passed since then, the film still holds a huge spot in the pop culture ethos. Titanic is full of iconic scenes, lines, and set pieces, with Titanic making James Cameron’s directorial career bigger than ever. However, Titanic‘s quality has become a bit of a controversial topic, with the Best Picture winner being the subject of much discussion online. So, here is a recap of the arguments from both sides, as well as an explanation of which side of the Titanic debate is correct.

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Opinion On Titanic Is Still Very Divided

All these years later, Titanic is still a highly discussed topic, with opinions on the movie becoming very divided. Those that love the film point to the spectacle of Titanic, with the visual effects and scale of the movie being much greater than anything that had ever been seen before the film’s release. Titanic fans also point to the love story between Jack and Rose, which admittedly is one of the most well-known romances in cinematic history. These viewers argue that Jack and Rose perfectly ground the massive film, with their romance being what makes Titanic a masterpiece over 25 years later.

However, there is another side to this debate. Some Titanic viewers oppose the view that the movie is a masterpiece, with a growing number of people claiming that Titanic is overrated. This camp believes that the film doesn’t have much to offer beyond the spectacle, with the film’s clichéd story and bland writing being done so much better in other stories. Now that Hollywood has been working with CGI for decades, they say that many of the visual effects of Titanic just aren’t that impressive anymore. According to them, without the spectacle, Titanic loses almost all of its luster, with it barely rising above an average love story.

Despite this debate, both of these groups still tend to agree that Titanic is at least good. Technically, the cinematography, music, editing, and more are still really well executed, and not many people argue against that. The story of James Cameron’s Titanic is what causes most of the debate, as story and characters should be the core of any film. The leap from a good movie to a great movie is significant, and the debate surrounding Titanic focuses on whether the movie cleared the hurdle, or if Titanic is just a bland story with a veneer of excellence.

Separating Titanic’s Achievements From Its Quality Complicates Its Legacy

One of the reasons that Titanic is so well remembered is that James Cameron’s film was, at the time, an undeniable achievement. The scale and accuracy of the titular ship were mind-blowing to audiences at the time, and its mix of practical and computer-animated effects was revolutionary in 1997. Titanic‘s accuracy was so widely praised that it set a new standard for period pieces, which became a popular genre in the subsequent years. At the time, Titanic was the most expensive movie ever made, with the movie being an event film that everyone had to see. Titanic was so influential that its brief use of nudity caused nationwide controversy, highlighting how important Titanic was.

Related: How James Cameron Recreated Titanic’s Sinking For The Movie

So, the anti-Titanic group does have a point that taking away the spectacle does hurt the movie. While the film’s story is still high-quality, Titanic‘s central romance is mostly just a Romeo and Juliet knockoff. The film’s story has become so well known that almost everyone knows it, meaning that many viewers only watch Titanic for the spectacle. However, while Titanic relies on its achievements, there is no reason to take that away from the film. Viewers can still appreciate how groundbreaking Titanic was in 1997, with it falling in the same category as other spectacle movies like Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Ben-Hur.

Titanic’s Success Made It Even Harder To Judge

Titanic‘s box-office world records exemplify just how successful the movie was, with Titanic becoming the highest-grossing film of all time until James Cameron’s next movie, Avatar. Titanic has long been considered one of the best movies of all time, with it only losing that reputation in recent years. Titanic‘s reputation may have skewed the way that it is judged, as it may cause viewers to have expectations that are too high.

Many viewers go into Titanic expecting a masterpiece, as its reputation and box-office status lead to the conclusion that Titanic must be widely loved. So, even if Titanic is really good, viewers that expected a perfect, life-changing movie may walk away disappointed. Titanic can be fairly judged if viewers go in without any preconceived notions, but due to the film’s status, it’s almost impossible to watch Titanic without somewhat expecting it to be great.

Why Titanic IS A Great Movie

Although Titanic may not be James Cameron’s best film, it is still a great movie. The performances, cinematography, and still impressive effects are hard not to love. Even if the story is a bit clichéd, it is still fantastically well executed, as a Romeo and Juliet-style romance is all Titanic needs. Titanic is an incredibly long epic, but it fills that time wonderfully, with viewers feeling as if they went on a massive journey after watching the movie.

Related: Titanic: What Happened To The REAL Rose, Beatrice Wood

From a historical point of view, Titanic also has so much to love and respect. While some parts may be dated, it’s impossible not to see how influential Titanic has been on the subsequent decades of movies. James Cameron is a master filmmaker, and even if Titanic isn’t the best movie ever made, it still is a great movie that can be enjoyed by all.

More: Titanic: Why Did The Ship Sink & Who Was Really To Blame?