Review of The Abyss (1989) by Jay L — 04 Jul 2012

"There's everything you've ever known about adventure, and then there's The Abyss.".

An absolute masterwork, a spectacularly convincing special effects fueled extravaganza thats pure spectacle from start to finish. Epic. A timeless masterpiece, its an adventure thats unlike any other adventure that you have ever seen. Director James Cameron (The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar) created a world of dazzling special effects and searingly gripping detail in this truly astounding instant classic. James Cameron never ceases to amaze, he is one of my personal favorite Directors, a world class film maker that gives his films everything that he has. Cameron pushes the boundaries once again in this visually jaw-droppingly beautiful film, at the time this film was made technology was quite limited when it came to special effects, but Cameron and company took it upon themselves to create a searingly realistic underwater and bring it to life right in front of our very eyes. The Abyss won an Academy Award for best visual effects, and also cemented James Cameron as a world class talent and one of the elite filmmakers of our time. Its got something in it for everyone, plenty of action, optically charged and insanely beautiful special effects, endless amounts of suspense, powerfully gripping emotion as well as the James Cameron trademark anti-human undertones. Its Crimson Tide meets Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. An absolute blast that the entire family can enjoy time and time again. Imaginative, unique, mysterious, intelligent, gripping, raw, realistic, visual and above all..entertaining as a film could possibly get. One of the best science-fiction/action/adventure/fantasy films ever made, I don't know how they did it with the limited technology at the time, but James Cameron and company crafted a spectacularly brilliant masterpiece that has stood the test of time and was also decades before its time. A legendary piece of filmmaking.

An epic film usually comes along with an epic cast, and sure enough, The Abyss is loaded with star talent. Ed Harris stars and gives a powerful performance, one of the best of his long and illustrious career. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is wonderful throughout. Michael Biehn gives a solid performance. Kimberly Scott does well for the duration. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your personal collection, you will not be disappointed and thats a complete guarantee.