The Abyss (1989) DVD Reviews

Starring	Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Director	James Cameron
Genres	Drama

Critics' reviews (4) of The Abyss
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For some, this was James Cameron's Waterworld, a bloated, sentimental epic from the king of hi-tech thrillers. Some of the criticism was deserved, but it remains a fascinating folly, a spectacular and often thrilling voyage to the bottom of the sea. Ed Harris stars as the leader of an underwater team working for an oil company that is pressed into service to rescue the crew of a crippled submarine. But they soon begin to wonder if they are the only life forms in the vicinity. Harris is great in a rare leading-man role and there is first-rate support from Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as his estranged partner, and The Terminator's Michael Biehn, as the unstable marine commander. Cameron excels in cranking up the tension within the cramped quarters and the effects are awe-inspiring and deservedly won an Oscar. It's only marred by being overlong and by its sentimental attachment to aliens.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...[A] stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film....With probing intelligence and passionate feeling, Cameron has raised the adventure film very close to the level of art..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...A technical marvel with sustained tension, exciting action footage and an emotional wallop in its nearly platonic love story..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Abyss
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17 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Terrible, terrible, terrible

This has to be one of the worst films I have seen in a long time. The actors/actresses have so little charisma and character that everything they say is absolutely unbelievable.

As for the script '...queen bitch of the universe' is a person 'favourite' line. Try to count the number of times 'son-of-a-bitch!' is said, go on, make a drinking game of it, possibly the only way to enjoy this dreary, melodramatic, unbelievable, cliched, corny and hollow film.

Special effects range from great to poor (occaisionally) and are possibly the only saving grace.

The Navy Seals are particularly dull.
- - Scott McGonigle from Scotland
  - Posted 08 May 2005 13:11
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

One of the best films I've ever seen

I must have seen this film 50 odd times, and it still never looses it's appeal. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio make a wierd but workable estranged couple, who, miles beneath the sea encounter an alien race, very good special effects. Watch out for some scene stealing performaces by Micheal Biehn playing the bad guy.
- - Barks from Bristol
  - Posted 24 Oct 2003 15:06
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful

James Cameron's classic

From director James Cameron { Titanic,

Ghosts Of The Abyss, The Terminator 1 & 2: Judgment Day, Alien 2: Aliens} had made this science fiction/underwater film. Ed Harris plays an underwater oil rigger who's reunited with his wife whom he is soon set to divorce. but the two must get along together to finish off the oil rig. but when disaster strikes by natural underwater causes then the crew get stranded under the sea. one of the crew members { Michael Beighn-The Terminator, Tombstone} has gone mad and won't tell anyone. Harris's character's wife meets an underwater alien and then the sci-fi kicks off. with one heart moving ending which isn't too cornie or overblown. must see. while not brilliant very enjoyable and a true ' Atlantis'or ' Journey To The Centre Earth' -type classic.
- - A customer from NEWCASTLE
  - Posted 21 Jun 2004 14:40
Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Abyss
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

true love survives

This is my all time fav film, just when you think where are the aliens, they become the stars, my fav bit is when the estranged couple find themselfs with 1 scuba kit., and they have to get back to the base vessel...arrrhh, makes your heart bleed, and you believe in true love
- - A customer from NORTH EAST ENGLAND
  - Posted 22 Mar 2007 12:10
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Beautiful depths

This is one of those unforgettable films which never leave you. For a start it has about half a dozen astonishing set pieces. Then there is the relationship between the two protagonists - a wonderful portrait of a marriage which comes back from the dead. Best of all is the unexpectedly upbeat ending which exploits all the power of cinema to pull heartstrings and twist ideas. A great film from the director who would go on to direct the far poorer 'Titanic'.
- - Nicksaskiamaiajames from Somerset
  - Posted 26 Oct 2005 23:59

17 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Terrible, terrible, terrible

This has to be one of the worst films I have seen in a long time. The actors/actresses have so little charisma and character that everything they say is absolutely unbelievable.

As for the script '...queen bitch of the universe' is a person 'favourite' line. Try to count the number of times 'son-of-a-bitch!' is said, go on, make a drinking game of it, possibly the only way to enjoy this dreary, melodramatic, unbelievable, cliched, corny and hollow film.

Special effects range from great to poor (occaisionally) and are possibly the only saving grace.

The Navy Seals are particularly dull.
- - Scott McGonigle from Scotland
  - Posted 08 May 2005 13:11
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

One of the best films I've ever seen

I must have seen this film 50 odd times, and it still never looses it's appeal. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio make a wierd but workable estranged couple, who, miles beneath the sea encounter an alien race, very good special effects. Watch out for some scene stealing performaces by Micheal Biehn playing the bad guy.
- - Barks from Bristol
  - Posted 24 Oct 2003 15:06
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful

James Cameron's classic

From director James Cameron { Titanic,

Ghosts Of The Abyss, The Terminator 1 & 2: Judgment Day, Alien 2: Aliens} had made this science fiction/underwater film. Ed Harris plays an underwater oil rigger who's reunited with his wife whom he is soon set to divorce. but the two must get along together to finish off the oil rig. but when disaster strikes by natural underwater causes then the crew get stranded under the sea. one of the crew members { Michael Beighn-The Terminator, Tombstone} has gone mad and won't tell anyone. Harris's character's wife meets an underwater alien and then the sci-fi kicks off. with one heart moving ending which isn't too cornie or overblown. must see. while not brilliant very enjoyable and a true ' Atlantis'or ' Journey To The Centre Earth' -type classic.
- - A customer from NEWCASTLE
  - Posted 21 Jun 2004 14:40
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Started well ...

... but degraded gently thereafter. I Wouldn't recommend it but it was harmless enough !
- - A customer from Watford, UK
  - Posted 03 Dec 2004 unknown
6 out of 10 people found this review helpful

Bad plot, bad dialogue, bad director!!!!!!!

Ok, maybe its just me but i am no the worlds bigest fan of James Cameron. Titanic was good first time around but then it just iritated me. And what he did to the Alien films was diabolical. Now back to this one. Bad plot, bad dialogue, bad director!!!!!!! the characters are badly writen, and i couldn't follow any coherent plot. the special effects are way too simplistic, even by Camron's standards. And to top it all off, the ruddy thing is almost 3 hours long. the directors cut is longer, but i doubt that it would add anything to it.

Needless to say, I DID NOT LIKE IT!!! MASSIVE LET DOWN!!!
- - A customer from North Wales
  - Posted 18 Feb 2004 22:34
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

The Abyss - Incredible

This is a great film truly one of our all time favourites. The technology involved in brilliant and believable. The whole story has, what all books should have, you can't take your eyes off it in case you miss something vital. It bears watching again in case you did.
- - A customer from Grimsby
  - Posted 23 May 2005 14:22
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Very good

If you enjoy Sci-Fi and Aliens you will love this film. The extended version is well worth the long viewing time as it explains much more about the aliens presence than the original which did tend to leave you a bit high and dry. Excellent film well worth viewing and would recommend this to all!
- - pro007 from Essex
  - Posted 23 Jul 2004 11:33
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Not what I expected

If u have a time machine, go back 15 years before u watch this.

I expected fighting with evil aliens in this film... How wrong I was.

The special effects might have looked good back in 1989, but I doubt it!!
- - Tony from Oldham
  - Posted 20 Mar 2006 20:26
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Not my scene

Didnt watch it before, not what I expected, not too impressed!
- - robert williamson from Cleveland England
  - Posted 18 Jan 2007 11:13
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

true love survives

This is my all time fav film, just when you think where are the aliens, they become the stars, my fav bit is when the estranged couple find themselfs with 1 scuba kit., and they have to get back to the base vessel...arrrhh, makes your heart bleed, and you believe in true love
- - A customer from NORTH EAST ENGLAND
  - Posted 22 Mar 2007 12:10

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Critics' reviews (4)
For some, this was James Cameron's Waterworld, a bloated, sentimental epic from the king of hi-tech thrillers. Some of the criticism was deserved, but it remains a fascinating folly, a spectacular and often thrilling voyage to the bottom of the sea. Ed Harris stars as the leader of an underwater team working for an oil company that is pressed into service to rescue the crew of a crippled submarine. But they soon begin to wonder if they are the only life forms in the vicinity. Harris is great in a rare leading-man role and there is first-rate support from Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as his estranged partner, and The Terminator's Michael Biehn, as the unstable marine commander. Cameron excels in cranking up the tension within the cramped quarters and the effects are awe-inspiring and deservedly won an Oscar. It's only marred by being overlong and by its sentimental attachment to aliens.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...[A] stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film....With probing intelligence and passionate feeling, Cameron has raised the adventure film very close to the level of art..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...A technical marvel with sustained tension, exciting action footage and an emotional wallop in its nearly platonic love story..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Cameron again delves in....An epic story line...and much more..." -- Rating: B
- Entertainment Weekly
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

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- The Abyss
  
  A team of civilian divers working on a prototype underwater oil-drilling rig are coerced by the US Navy into helping them look for a lost nuclear submarine. Whilst in deep water the Navy supervisor has paranoid ideas about what they've found in the Abyss........