Review of The Abyss (1989) by Terry W — 03 Dec 2009

Lindsey Brigman: So raise your hand if you think that was a Russian water-tentacle.

The other James Cameron film that involves both water and aliens. I don't have much to say about this one. There is enough to like in it. Ed Harris is always cool to watch and a few of the Cameron film staples (unfortunately excluding Bill Paxton) make there way into the film, building up some highlights; however, I was never really engaged by the movie. It just didn't have as much of an exciting factor as Cameron's other features.

An American nuclear submarine is attacked (during the cold war) and crashes underwater. The navy asks the workers of a nearby underwater oil rig who are joined by a number of navy SEALS to locate and investigate the cause of the crash. As the crew embark on their mission, they encounter a number of difficulties and discover that they may not be alone. There is something else down there, and its up to Ed Harris and Michael Biehn in crazy mode to do something about it..

What struck me the most was how of all things, this movie seems to be Cameron making his version of Close Encounters, while Armageddon seems to have cribbed off of this movie. Anyway, yeah, the movie is ok. It never really bothers me to see dated effects, but it kinda bothered me here, knowing that T2 would come out two years later and still look fucking awesome today. Its also quite long, which once again, without the strong excitement factor, didn't really help.

For a Cameron epic, its passable.

Alan "Hippy" Carnes: What is all this stuff?

Ensign Monk: Fluid breathing system, we just got it. You use it when you go really deep.

Alan "Hippy" Carnes: How deep?

Ensign Monk: Deep.

Alan "Hippy" Carnes: HOW deep?

Ensign Monk: It's classified.