Titanic Limited Edition Collector's Box Set (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
 Release Date: December 5, 2023
 Rating: PG-13
 Film:  5/5
 
 Plot
 Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet light up the screen in the timeless and unforgettable story of star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the legendary and ill-fated maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” TITANIC.  The film became the first movie to earn over $1 billion and to date it has generated more than $2.2 billion at the global box office.

 My Thoughts
 I’m man enough to admit that this is one of my favorite all-time movies. Please don’t take my man card because I know the backdrop of the film is the love story between Jack and Rose, but the reason I personally love the film is because of the amazing job James Cameron did at transporting us through time into one of the most iconic historical occurrences of the 20^th Century. His attention to detail is simply amazing as he recreated the iconic ship for the big screen with its intricate staircase, its massive engine room, and even researched the exact pattern used on the ship’s dinnerware and made sure it was on full display.
 
For myself, the testament of a great movie is how many times you can watch it and still be entertained and amazed by what you’re seeing on screen. For Titanic, I’ve probably seen it about 15 times since it came out in 1998 (and I saw it twice in theaters back then) and to this day I sit mesmerized by what I’m watching on the screen. The writing is absolutely perfect and the film is actually two love stories in one—the main one is Jack and Rose (and no ladies, Jack doesn’t survive at the end of the 4K version of the movie despite your best hope) and Cameron’s love of the Titanic itself. The film runs 194 minutes and surprisingly, never really drags despite seeing it so many times.
 
I was really excited to see this film in 4K given how meticulously detailed Cameron was in shooting the film as authentically as possible. All I can state is “WOW,” they hit a home run on the 4K transfer. In fact, the film looks like it was shot earlier this year and not in the late ‘90s. The image is razor sharp, colors are vivid and accurate, detail is mesmerizing, blacks are inky and deep, and there’s no hint of compression issues despite such a long film being placed onto a three-layer UHD disc. One negative with the 4K transfer is the dated visual effects, which could be spotted with a keep eye on the Blu-ray are laid bare in 4K. Sweeping shots of the decks with CG humans walking stick out even worse with the added resolution, but it’s a fair tradeoff when you see how much detail is exposed in the live-action shots.
 
My only caveat is I had some data errors in watching the film and I had to eject it twice in order to clean the disc—when my package arrived from FedEx, the 4K disc had slipped out of its housing and must have had some smudges on the disc that I didn’t see before putting it in the player. After the first glitch I popped it out and did a quick inspection and gave it a wipe across my shirt. When it happened a second time, I took extra care to use some mild soap and very warm water, tamped it dry with a terrycloth towel, and then did a final cleaning with a specialized towel that I use to clean my reading glasses. Once the full cleaning was completed, I didn’t have any more issues. I plan to put the movie on again today and see if it plays all the way through without freezing just to be sure I don’t have a bum disc.
 
The film was rereleased in theaters earlier this year and a new Dolby Atmos mix was created for its trip back to the theaters. While I wouldn’t say it’s a night and day difference from the already excellent DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, the addition of the overhead channels does make an impact during the third act of the film. James Horner’s excellent score comes through loud and clear, discrete effects fly all over the room, and when the ship tries to avoid the iceberg, the soundstage explodes with action.

 Video 10/10
 Audio 9.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
 Special Features:
 Paramount was kind enough to send me the Limited-Edition Collector’s Boxed set that’s perfect for die-hard fans of the film. This includes:

• A hardcover coffee table book detailing the making of the film’s most iconic scenes
• A detailed schematic inspired by the actual ship blueprint, highlighting locations of key scenes
• Movie prop reproductions of a boarding pass, launch viewing ticked, ship menus, and nots from jack to Rose and Rose to Cal
• Sheet music for the multi-award-winning hit “My Heart Will Go On”

 
Bonus Blu-ray content included in both the national and limited-edition releases include:

• Titanic: Stories From the Heart
• Titanic: 25 Years Later with James Cameron
• Behind-the-Scenes presentation hosted by Jon Landau
• Trailer Presentation hosted by Jon Landau
• Fan Poster Art
• Reflections on Titanic (4 parts)
• Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by James Cameron
• Additional Behind-The-Scenes
• Deep-Dive Presentation narraraed by James Cameron
• $200,000,001: A Ship’s Odyssey (The Titanic Crew Video)
• Videomatics
• Visual Effects
• Music Video “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
• Still Galleries
• Director Commentary by James Cameron (On 4K Disc)
• Cast and Crew Commentary (On 4K Disc)
• Historical Commentary by Don Lynch and Ken Marschall (On 4K Disc)
• Digital Copy (missing from my set—studio has been informed)

 
 Conclusion
 At the time the film was made it was the most expensive film ever produced. In fact, it was so expensive that two studios (Fox and Paramount) had to partner up in order to get it made. Furthermore, when it went so far over budget, the studios forced Cameron to forego his own salary as a punishment (which they eventually paid after the film became the biggest box office success to date). Ultimately, the film was the first to make $1 billion and to date has earned more than $2.2 billion at the global box office. Was it a massive gamble to make a film like this? Absolutely, but it has more than paid off for the studios and Cameron. Even after 25+ years, the film still entertains and remains one of my favorites. Highly recommended.
 
 
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Yes. Haven’t seen this in years. I can’t wait for the 4K so I can revisit 

[Barry]

My only complaint about the movie was they made the crash look like it was caused by the lookouts looking at Jack an Rose making out, instead of them looking for icebergs! 😋

[David Vaughn]

My only complaint about the movie was they made the crash look like it was caused by the lookouts looking at Jack an Rose making out, instead of them looking for icebergs! 😋

LOL...now we know why they hit it

[Paul Heroy]

Well damn David... 15 times? That's 15 times more than me lol! 

I ignored this one for a long time for various reasons mostly external to the actual movie - hype, the chick/romance image etc. Maybe I'll give in at some point and see it. 

[bmoney]

watched it last night.  WOW what a crisp image!

def some cringe parts but overall such a good movie

[SRW1000]

Well damn David... 15 times? That's 15 times more than me lol!

I ignored this one for a long time for various reasons mostly external to the actual movie - hype, the chick/romance image etc. Maybe I'll give in at some point and see it.

Ditto.  I'm pretty sure my wife saw it, but I never managed to.

[David Vaughn]

Ditto.  I'm pretty sure my wife saw it, but I never managed to.

Wow...you have to watch it! 

[Barry]

I am NOT agreat fan of this movie.  I enjoyed it, it was "good" but no higher than that for me. The movie doesn't stink, but it does sink.

A hightlight, though, for me was Gloria Stuart as the older Rose.  She was believeable and gave a wonderful proformace that bookends the movie.

I have wondered if she was just dreaming the very end, or if she past on and was reunited.

[David Vaughn]

I am NOT agreat fan of this movie.  I enjoyed it, it was "good" but no higher than that for me. The movie doesn't stink, but it does sink.

A hightlight, though, for me was Gloria Stuart as the older Rose.  She was believeable and gave a wonderful proformace that bookends the movie.

I have wondered if she was just dreaming the very end, or if she past on and was reunited.

I think she passed on and rejoined her co-passengers who perished in the disaster. I'm sure the real survivors of that horrific night thought of the less fortunate ones throughout the rest of their lives. 

[bmoney]

I think she passed on and rejoined her co-passengers who perished in the disaster. I'm sure the real survivors of that horrific night thought of the less fortunate ones throughout the rest of their lives.

thats how i took it too

like she finally had closure, so was able to RIP