Yes, it's true that James Cameron's $200 million epic "Titanic" is more than three hours long. And it's equally true that it takes nearly two hours to get to the real meat of things.

But "Titanic" does have more genuine passion and excitement than most of its less costly competitors. And the ultimate payoff — a breathtaking reconstruction of the sinking of the supposedly "unsinkable" ship — is something most audiences will want to see on the big screen (which is definitely the way to see it).

The film also has two separate storylines that would have made interesting movies in and of themselves. In fact, the main story thread is so involving that you may not notice the film's lengthy running time. Kudos to stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who make an appealing onscreen couple.

Respectively, they play Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Butaker, star-crossed lovers who are onboard when the Titanic makes its ill-fated maiden voyage. Jack and Rose come from extremely different worlds — she's a debutante engaged to Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), a young steel baron she doesn't love, while Jack is an impoverished, orphaned, free spirit and aspiring artist who won passage on the ship while gambling.

The two cross paths when Rose threatens to throw herself off the ship, and despite the heavy obstacles set in their way by her avaricious mother (Frances Fisher) and Cal's henchman (David Warner), they start to fall in love. Their attraction doesn't go unnoticed by Cal, who gives her the "Heart of the Ocean," a dazzling blue diamond once owned by King Louis XVI, as an engagement present.

That gem also forms the basis of the movie's second plotline, a modern-day expedition to find the long-lost treasure of the Titanic. A high-tech salvage crew led by Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) hasn't had much luck finding the diamond, but they soon discover a centenarian, Rose Calvert (Gloria Stuart), who claims to have been aboard the ship and who tells them her story.

Is she really Rose? Does she know where the "Heart of the Ocean" is? And if she is Rose, does she know what happened to Jack? Through the tale, Cameron manages to answer all those questions, as well as explore the mini-class struggles that occurred during the Titanic's brief voyage.

Better known for bombast than for social commentary, Cameron actually manages to score quite a few points here, while intertwining the historical and modern-day stories rather nicely.

Of course, things are marred somewhat by contemporary dialogue touches in the "historical" section, especially use of some modern-day profanities. And some of the character development (like having Cal chase the lovers with a gun while the ship sinks) is a bit ridiculous.

But does that really matter, especially when the effects in the final hour are so stunning? Not really. Besides, the two stars are terrific, though most of the supporting cast (especially Kathy Bates, who plays the "unsinkable" Molly Brown) aren't given a whole lot to do besides react to the at-sea disaster.

"Titanic" is rated PG-13 for profanity, violence, some pretty exploitative nudity involving Winslet, some vulgar references and gags and a cleverly concealed sex scene.