By Heather Monahan
Staff Writer
Rose may have let go, but “Titanic” fans never did.
Fans have been able to relive the excitement of the movie with the recent re-release of the 1997 film in theaters. But this time, it’s supposed to be an enhanced experience with 3-D effects. However, Bonaventure students are more excited about simply seeing the movie in theaters than they are about the 3-D aspect.
Kelly Sperrazzo, a junior accounting major, recalled the first time she saw “Titanic” when she was around five years old.
“I remember not understanding the concept of what was really going on when the ship was sinking,” she said.
When the 3-D version was released last week, Sperrazzo said the thought of seeing it on the big screen drew her in, and the 3-D aspect had no effect on the viewing experience.
“It was literally the same movie just with a few scenes that had extra 3-D effects to them,” she said.
While Sperrazzo said it was worth seeing Titanic on the big screen, it wasn’t worth paying extra to see it in 3-D.
Kevin Caufield, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major, agreed.
“I don’t think (the 3-D) really changed the experience, which is sad,” he said. “But I think it was more fun seeing it in theaters now that we’re more mature and understand what’s going on.”
Like Sperrazzo, Caufield was young when he saw the original movie. He said he remembers going to see the original release in theaters with his dad but doesn’t remember some points of the movie.
“I covered my eyes at some points,” he said. “I just remember the major parts. I don’t really remember specific scenes.”
His main motivation for seeing the movie this time was the thought of it not being in theaters for a long time, if ever.
“It probably won’t be released again.”
Overall, Caufield said he enjoyed the experience of seeing the movie again.
“It’s a lot more fun to see it in theaters than sitting at home and watching it on TV,” he said.
James Tantalo, a sophomore accounting and finance major, has not yet seen the movie and is unsure whether or not he wants to.
“I’m not a huge 3-D movie fan,” he said. “I don’t want to be let down.”
Tantalo said overall, 3-D movies aren’t very good quality, especially when viewed in theaters that don’t accommodate the effects very well.
Lindsay Lupiani, a freshman international studies major, also has not yet seen the 3-D release. She thinks the 3-D may make the viewing experience a bit more emotional.
“I’m curious to see how the ending will be when the ship is sinking,” she said. “It gives me chills every time I watch it. It might make it seem more real.”
Lupiani recalls being too young to see the original release in theaters, but she saw when it came out on video.
She said she has always loved “Titanic.”
“I’m all for the romantic love movies,” she said.
Lupiani said she also thinks the movie’s re-release in theaters again has the potential to impact today’s generation that has not seen the movie.
“Growing up, ‘Titanic’ was a big part of this generation, and everyone still talks about it,” she said. “It’s good for kids who have never seen it to finally experience it.”
Jessica Misiaszek, a senior journalism and mass communication major, wasn’t as thrilled about the new release.
“My reaction was simply, ‘Are you kidding me? Why?’” she said.
Misiaszek said the first time she saw the movie from beginning to end was when she was 21, as she had only seen parts of the movie before that. However, she doesn’t list it as one of her favorite movies.
“I don’t mind the first half of (the movie), but as soon as the ship hits the iceberg, I have to turn the channel because I get so scared,” she said, “Even though I know what happens every time.”
Misiaszek said she will not be seeing the movie in 3-D because, even without the added effects, the movie is too sad for her liking.
“3-D will just make it worse,” she said.
She doesn’t think the 3-D experience will change the movie viewing experience in any way for “Titanic.”
Overall, it seems most Bonaventure students were excited for the new release, but not for the 3-D aspect of it. Simply getting the chance to see the second highest grossing film in history in theaters once more caused excitement.
monahahm10@bonaventure.edu
