Titanic 3D Collectors Edition Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Titanic 3D Collectors Edition Blu-ray Movie Review

It's only worth what someone's willing to pay for it.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 11, 2012

A special movie deserves a special release. Titanic is that special movie, but Amazon.com's limited Blu-ray 3D package isn't quite that release. It's a fairly impressive box to be sure, inside of which is a small but handsome hardbound photo book, various paper collectibles, and of course the film in all its four-disc Blu-ray glory, identical (slipcover and all) to that very same Blu-ray 3D set recently released and reviewed. The set is going for $75 on release day, a few less for those who preordered. Sadly, it's just not a $75 set, nor is it even a $50 set. It's probably a $40-$45 set, truth be told, in terms of value added and presentation. Paramount and Amazon simply haven't added enough to warrant charging a price that's two-and-one-half times greater than the standalone 3D release. The material herein is fine, but none of it -- even the handsome box -- warrants the hefty price tag.

Here's a breakdown of what's included:

• Collectible Packaging: An attractive -- particularly when seen from across the room -- and sturdy box with raised nubs and letters for tactile benefit that replicates the look of the ship as seen from the port side, assuming the bow is to the left. An upper lid removes completely to reveal the contents housed inside. The box measures nearly one foot in length, just a hair under eight inches in height, and exactly two inches deep. The box should hold up to casual use well enough, should buyers open it several times per year, perhaps, to remove the discs, peruse the book, or take a look at the paper inserts.
• Four-Disc Blu-ray 3D set: Identical to the 3D release. The slipcover is included.
• Hardbound Photo Book: A fairly bland and disappointingly tiny and nearly textless 28-page hardbound coffee table book that presents still images from the film. The only text identifies the main character portraits at the beginning of the book. It measures 10 3/4" in length, 6 3/4" in height, and well under 1/4" in thickness.
• Replica Menu: A double-sided card that reproduces the Titanic's 2nd-class menu for the dates of April 11 and 14, 1912.
• Reproduction S.O.S.: A single-sided glossy replica of the telegram sent from Titanic recounting her collision with the iceberg and her request for immediate assistance.
• Replica Voyage Pamphlet: A glossy, 21-page pamphlet that contains facts and figures as they concern the vessel's maiden voyage from Southampton and Cherbourg to New York (Via Queenstown). Included is the first-class passenger list, a notice pertaining to procedure should the ship dock at New York City during the evening or at night, other White Star Line ship schedules, and more.
• Triple-Screw Steamer Pamphlet: A glossy foldout pamphlet that depicts the Titanic (also the sister ship Olympic) on one side and photographs of the ship's interiors on the other.
• Replica Newspaper: An eight-page reproduction of The Daily Graphic's one-cent Titanic sinking special. Perhaps the most interesting extra in the box.
• Character Post Cards: Each measures approximately 6.5x5 and features hand-drawn costuming sketches of Jack in Tuxedo, Jack in casual clothes, Rose in arrival costume, Rose in evening wear, Captain Smith, and Molly Brown.

Final Thoughts:

In short, this is a terribly disappointing set. It looks good -- great, even, from the outside -- but the beauty is only skin- (or cardboard, as the case may be) deep. The material included within makes for some truly nice and fascinating supplements, but they seem like either compliments to a greater set or the centerpieces of a lower-priced collection. Perhaps including the two-disc DVD that was only included in the standalone 2D Blu-ray release, a copy of the CD Soundtrack, and even a miniature replica of the vessel might have made this a more attractive and collectible release. Certainly, diehard fans will want to make sure to add this set to their collections, but casual fans should save the extra money and buy a few other James Cameron Blu-ray releases, such as the upcoming wide Avatar 3D release.