Abyss, The (1989) [1561-85]

A 'Close Encounters' story set underwater, This is a film with a big scope and a big heart, common in James Cameron films. This is probably the first of his films to be made with that formula. It's the story of a diving crew sent underwater to investigate a wrecked nuclear submarine. You see a budding romance, a budding rivalry, and a bond of friendship through these very different people. But the crew also found something worth a wealth in discovery, an alien aquatic species. The ending turns out to be Spielbergian feel-good fest, the bad kind.

This is the theatrical cut of the film. I have not seen the special edition, though I do know about some of the changes. This cut is watchable at 140 minutes.

7/10

Video Quality:
The picture is presented in an aspect ratio of 1:9:1, much taller than the original exhibition ratio of 2:35:1, as this film was shot in Super 35. This "open matte" presentation is very interesting, seeing more of the frame than you did at the theaters, but the intended ratio has been and always will be 2:35:1. The image is grainy and there is a lot of green smearing on the lights underwater. I haven't watched the 2.35:1 version so I'm not quite sure how much is added or removed of the image on this disc. The framing seems to be claustrophobic, I guess it was intentional for certain scenes. An adequate transfer that could be improved.

7/10

Audio Quality:
On the aural side, this disc contains a Dolby Surround PCM track as well as the analog CX counterpart. The results are staggering. With panning from front to back, left to right, robust low end, intelligible dialog, this track has a wealth of dynamic range. This 2.0 mix is still one of the best sound mixes ever on home video. Turn it up!

10/10

Extra:
And wouldn't you know this disc also comes with an all-too short 'making-of' featurette. It isn't much, but it shows how much dedication was made to this film. Compared to "Avatar", I feel "The Abyss" is real moviemaking. It's sad to see James Cameron following in the footsteps of George Lucas, caught up in technology rather than story. No doubt "The Abyss" was technological, but it's better than letting computers do it. I heard "Avatar 2" will be set underwater. Seeing a film crew go underwater again (for reals) would surprise me. I wonder how motion capture will be involved.

6/10

When you say you have not seen 2.35:1 ratio version, do you mean on ld or eve?
Also special edition, do you mean ever or on ld?
Just curious

one of my all time favorites. i own it on both theatrical and special ed. LD, as well as the clam-shell cased special ed. VHS...

Hiya...could you post some pics up of the theatrical edition please...I only have the special and would like to know how the picture quality was changed for the special please...?

I mean on LD. I've seen some of it on DVD but the quality was abysmal so I stopped.