Titanic MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: -2

A dazzling display of special effects holds audiences mesmerized for over three hours as they witness the historical drama of the unsinkable ship Titanic sinking 85 years ago. An explorer (Bill Paxton) and his crew have used sophisticated robots to probe the wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic. Their primary goal is to locate a magnificent diamond pendant more valuable than the Hope diamond believed to be buried at sea. Publicity about the exploration sparks the memory of Rose (Gloria Stuart), a 101- year-old survivor, and the tale begins. The fictional story of two star-crossed lovers, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) begins to unfold as Rose weaves a rich, colorful tapestry of passion, greed, sacrifice and cowardice. Along with her love story, however, are heart-stopping special effects recreating the horrific, terrorizing human tragedy as more than 1,500 passengers lose their fight to survive. As the most expensive movie ever made, TITANIC may well be the GONE WITH THE WIND of the 90s.

The film cannot be faulted for its violence, however, because of the true tragic events. Rose's cruel fiance' slaps her and has his servant beat a handcuffed Jack trapped in the flooding ship. Crewmen are forced to use gun threats to control the panicked passengers, and some are shot. Many die as the ship disintegrates, and some survivors freeze to death waiting for rescue boats. Rose's wealthy fiance' tries to win her "favors" by presenting her with the precious diamond, and it is implied that the two become sexually intimate. She meets Jack, a third class passenger, as she is contemplating jumping overboard to avoid a loveless marriage. Jack's free spirit and love of life sparks her long-suppressed passionate nature. At her urging, Jack, a talented artist, sketches her nude, wearing only the diamond pendant. The camera exposes Rose's nude body from the waist up. Later a passionate love scene takes place with nudity implied. Foul language also crops up frequently, including one f-word, nine s-words and 16 profanities, plus an obscene gesture from Rose. Much too intense for children under 13, this thrilling fictionalized drama, based on a true event, is tarnished by nudity and foul language.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90035