Review of The Abyss (1989) by Ben L — 15 May 2012

The truly great sci-fi movies are not about futuristic technology, time travel, or aliens. They are about people and how those extraordinary things affect their ordinary lives. That's why I consider this one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. The characters feel so real, and you could almost lift the entire supernatural element out of the film and it would still be an emotional character drama. It is easy to get emotionally involved in these people's lives as they face difficult trials.

It's hard for me to express just how perfect I think they did in the production of this film. The cast feels so right that I often find it unusual when I see these actors in other roles, almost like they became these characters in my mind. The sets were remarkable as well. It all feels so real. The fact that they filmed so much in practical sets really pays off. It feels cramped and claustrophobic inside Deep Core, and it feels black and lonely in the open water scenes.

The story is so intense. It seems like the action never stops, and it all has an emotional element added. If I were to make any complaint it would just be the language. Personally I would prefer a little less cursing, but that's a relatively minor complaint. The Abyss is one of my favorite movies. It works on so many levels, and even in the extended cut it just feels like it flies by in no time. I get so involved that I feel like I am lost in the movie, which is the best thing I could ever ask for from a film.