Review of The Abyss (1989) by David H — 22 Jun 2010
An amazing science fiction film, especially so in it's Director's Cut version. Cameron's direction is, as usual, spot on and perfectly modulated. Acting is first rate all around. The natural film grain of the Super35 process lends a palpable grittiness that enhances The Abyss' verisimilitude.
The special effects -- a combination of optical printing and groundbreaking CGI -- still hold up wonderfully today, and are employed by Cameron only at the service of the story. I am always amazed at those who think Cameron's films are either heartless or poorly written; the dialogue is great, poetic when it needs to be, yet also completely indicative of the working-class characters who populate this story, and the rekindling of the romantic relationship between characters Bud and Lindsay (which in the Director's Cut becomes a fantastic metaphor for Cameron's hope and optimism of humanity's future) hits all the right notes, wrings EXACTLY the right amount of pathos without feeling desperate of shmaltzy.
There's a reason Cameron's one of my favourite filmmakers, which, for me, is validated yet again by The Abyss: he's easily one of Hollywood's most humanist storytellers, and he makes great use of the platform he's been allowed to stand on to deliver his messages.
A truly excellent film.
This review of The Abyss (1989) was written by David H on 22 Jun 2010.
The Abyss has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
