Abyss

Pros: Super cast of characters. Suspense up the butt. Nearly a classic.
Cons: The "alien" aspect is underdeveloped.

When you think of alien movies, more than likely you are thinking aliens from outer space. But what if the aliens were already here the whole time? And no, I'm not talking about them taking on the form of humans.

The Abyss gets...

Pros: Story, Acting, Direction, Photography, Score
Cons: Other Directors should copy this!

Abyss (1989)

I'm going to start right out telling you this movie is a sleeper. It needs far wider distribution because it is one of the best science fiction/action adventure movies out there!

Directed by James Cameron, it is a...

Pros: Ton's of extras, great acting, and a very good movie.
Cons: It should have been shown in the Special Edition format from the start.

Again, in a a series of DVD reviews by myself I will forgo most of the information on the movie itself, and focus on he DVD and what makes this Special Edition DVD one that should be in your collection.

The Abyss came out in 1993 from...

Pros: Ed Harris, Mastrantonio, Biehn, special effects
Cons: Too much blue, pacing.

Who said that alien life would necessarily come from outer space? In my neighborhood, it could just as easily come from the 7 to 11 store, the local bar or the neighbor's basement. In this movie, the unknown is deep in the sea.

But it does...

Pros: Good performances. Wonderful special effects. Intriguing story.
Cons: James Cameron cannot write dialog. Hokey moments. Underlying misogyny.

I spent the day with Norman on the set of his new film Waterworld II: The Gills Have Eyes. In order to save money, the production company will be filming in the tanks at Sea World in San Diego. Norman, as Flounder, will have most of his scenes...

Pros: a great underwater sci-fi
Cons: none

After giving us Terminator (aliens from the future) and Aliens (aliens in space), in 1989 James Cameron decided to takes his theme to a new location and the setting for Abyss is entirely underwater. Its not a new idea, but out of all the attempts at this ...

Pros: A fantasy bathed in realism, with excellent perfomances all around.
Cons: Gets a little syrupy at times, so not for the cynical type.

My memory of The Abyss goes back to the spring of 1989, when I saw the original teaser trailer on E's Coming Attractions. Now, of course, the experience is a little different, but to a 10-year old kid, some flashy light, choral music and a neat logo were ...

Pros: Fantastic and convincing set. Star performances all-round, especially from Ed Harris. Engaging and fascinating plot
Cons: The "Directors Cut" version is best avoided. Otherwise - None.

My review of The Abyss has been a long time coming. I would estimate since I first joined Epinions I have seen the movie four or five times, but each time I somehow never get around to it - until now.

You see, The Abyss is in my...

Pros: Great effects, story, music, and acting!
Cons: Some people with short attention spans will think it is long!

James Cameron is a genius!

When The Abyss was released it was very long. So long in fact that some people thought it was boring and dull. I beg to differ!

I think that this film is a cinematic work of art! Everything about the...

Pros: Marvelous acting...terrific plot...two great movies for the price of one!
Cons: At nearly three hours, the extended director's cut requires strategically placed bathroom breaks.

James Cameron's The Abyss is a marvelous picture, no matter how you slice it. His penchant for tackling the indescribable is marvelous to behold. For those who have not had the opportunity to see it yet, let me try to summarize the story in ...

Pros: Detailed characters, great plot, amazing detail, jaw-dropping special effects.
Cons: Navigation on the voluminous slideshow. Three hours of movie is a little long.

Going Deep

The Abyss Special Edition on 2 DVDs is a wonderful abyss of its own, for your time. Aside from the obligatory "making of" documentary, the supplemental materials disc includes director James Cameron's screenplay,...

Pros: Great movie with better character development
Cons: none

This review is specifically about the DIRECTOR'S CUT of this movie, not the original that was released in theatres and on video.

I had always heard that you should view the Director's Cut of a movie to see what the director and writer had...

Pros: Great story, loads of extras
Cons: Um.....Um......Uh......oh! Goofy menus.

The Abyss is really director James Cameron's only 'failure'. Running out of time, Cameron was forced to release his movie incomplete and it did mediocre at the box office.

Frustrated, but unwilling to let matters lie Cameron went back...

Pros: Well realised underwater sci-fi thiller with the ever brilliant Harris defing Cameron's clunky script...
Cons: ... That clunky script and occasionally dumb down moments, stereotype-heavy crew...

James Cameron is one of those directors that never fails to frustrate me. His film outings rotate between guilty plesure and out right 'I want me money back' dissappointments, the Abyss is a rare breed, in that it's a James Cameron film that I can whole...

Pros: fast paced action thriller, excellent character development, amazing effects
Cons: None

When I was very young I remembered watching the commercial advertising the trailer for this film on TV. I remember thinking that from the way the commercial ran, that this would be a scary movie. Well, years later after I saw it on cable I found out it...