Rating: 
Summary: Doing "The Abyss" Justice
Review: For those of you who loved this movie despite the corny, rather confusing ending or those who just couldn't get past the ending, the special edition finally brings justice to a fantastic film.The special edition includes 28 minutes sliced from the theatrical version to keep the movie within a Studio accepted length. A significant portion of the additional footage comes towards the end. It explains the motivations of the NTIs (non-terrestrial intelligence), creating a much more powerful finale to the film. In addition to the special edition film, the two discs takes full advantage of the wonders of DVD technology. A fascinating documentary takes the viewer through the extraordinary trials and tribulations encountered in the making of the film. I truly was amazed by the dedication of Cameron, the crew, and the actors to bring this film to life. Furthermore, a wealth of information is provided in storyboards, pictures, etc that would make any film student drool. I own "The Abyss" on VHS and it pales in comparison to the DVD version. I only wish all my favorite films on DVD contained the thrilling additions this one does.
Rating: 
Summary: Good movie, AWFUL DVD!
Review: This DVD is awful. First of all, it's widescreen (2.35:1) but NOT ANAMORPHIC!!? Really, I expect more from a THX master! Secondly, the "directors cut" is just stupid. He added another 10 minutes of CRAP onto the end of the movie that totally changes the entire meaning of the film. WHY??? Really, when you see it you will LAUGH out loud, it is so implausible and inanely stupid! The original version is SO much better, you can tell pretty easily WHY they cut that last bit of crap off.. it's a much better film without it.
Rating:
Summary: The Abyss rises to new heights...
Review: One word can really describe this movie finally being coded to DVD, AWSOME. I remember being in High School when this movie was released in 1989. I saw it then and was stunned by such a movie of high calibur. Now it being released to DVD format with restored footage, this clearly explains many questions we might have had when we saw it the first time around. After you watch the making of this movie, you come to realize that the actors were very underpaid to do this type of difficult movie. If you have not seen this movie of true underwater adventure, then you do not know what you are missing. No other underwater movie tops what this movie created. It is hard to believe that many of the ideas in this movie were very plausible. For example the florocarbon oxygenated water that they use in the movie, you breathe in, instead of air is the actual stuff in the scene with the rat. This movie shows and points out that we are possibly being observed by aliens. But why do they not contact us? Why do they just sit back and observe? Because all they have to do is view our history as a violent world (wars, genocide, etc) to make them wary of contact. In reality there are areas of the ocean to this day that we cannot penetrate and see. Who knows what might be down there. This movie will show you one possible encounter. This DVD is also jam packed with so much content you will literally spend hours pouring over storyboards, and information. This is how DVD's should be made and how others should be molded.
Rating:
Summary: Some spectacular scenes but could have been better.
Review: The Abyss has some truly spectacular scenes,but there is one badly written big scene that goes "clunk" and hurts the film.That scene is when the woman drowns,cannot be revived and then suddenly comes back to life.Not only that,but this women that has been dead is a short time later up and walking around as if nothing happened.This resulted in the scene involving the diver descending to the bomb getting snickers from the audience.It was absurd that this woman that was dead can so soon be whispering sweet nothings into the divers ear.And the spaceship goes to the surface and causes ships to turn on their sides.What now?If it dives the ships will sink! James Cameron should leave the writing to real writers.
Rating:
Summary: An Ocean Of Delight
Review: I positively love this movie, perhaps because of the love story that runs through it, perhaps because of the notes of hope and sacrifice. Sure, some of the SEALs plotline is a bit tedious, but I don't care -- there are so many moments that are breathtaking. I am nowhere near as impressed by Cameron's TITANIC or even TERMINATOR 2 as with this film. The extras are well worth the investment, too, with behind the scenes pieces, documentaries, easter eggs galore. Picture quality is close to excellent, sound quality is superb, and the seamless branching works smoothly on both my Toshiba SD1200 and my Creative Encore player.
Rating:
Summary: Be forewarned....!
Review: First off I love this movie, and this DVD set is excellent. This is not the reason for the 3 star rating, this is more of a rating of the DVD itself, and not the content. I purchased this DVD thinking it was an anamorphic transfer (enhanced for 16x9 or widescreen TVs). IT IS NOT! I repeat, it is NOT an anamorphic transfer. If you are a serious DVD collector this should get your dander up. And those people who are casually collecting...as soon as you buy a TV that has 16x9 mode, this disc will not look any better. I am angry that the studio and Cameron allowed this to happen. Especially Cameron that is so touchy about the "craft" of making movies. He should be throwing a fit that this DVD is non-anamorphic like I was when I put it in my player! Now the studio is gonna put out yet ANOTHER version that will be enhanced for widescreen TVs, and I'm tired of playing that game.
Rating:
Summary: Cameron's Silent Masterpiece
Review: The Abyss is probably James Cameron's most underrated and greatest film. Not only did he direct the impossible senario of an almost complete underwater film, he also managed to show one of most intense character films in recent history. Rather than focus on the "aliens" as the monsters or threat of the movie, Cameron instead showed what monster-like qualities humans posess. It wasn't what people wanted at the time. They thought they were going to get another "Aliens" underwater. But as you gradually take in this film, you realize it has ten times the intensity of "Aliens". Please, please, please get the DVD version so you can see the Director's Cut of The Abyss. It is nearly 3 hours in length, but adds so much more to the story then before. This is one of the gretest movies ever made, and should be viewed the way Cameron cut it on the special edition. PS. Ask any fan of the film. This movie has quite possibly the most intense, well acted scene in movie history. Once you see it you'll know.
Rating: 
Summary: The director's cut adds something to it
Review: I originally rented this movie back in 1990 and enjoyed it, but the director's cut does include some important scenes that add something to the overall picture. The Abyss is a terrific movie, filled with interesting characters, a fascinating premise and great deep-sea action sequences. I highly recommend it. The DVD is top-notch quality with great sound and some nice added features.
Rating:
Summary: The Abyss: Special Edition is a GREAT DVD!
Review: "The Abyss:Special Edition" is the best DVD I've seen yet. First, the movie is one of the greatest science fiction films I've ever seen. It has a great story, written by James Cameron ("Titanic, "Aliens," "The Terminator," and "Terminator 2: Judgement Day), which is smart, fast-paced, and very exciting. It has awesome special effects, especially the giant wave at the end of the movie. And, the acting, well done by the leading actor, Ed Harris, who was also great in "The Truman Show." Second, the EXTRAS ARE EVEN BETTER! It has an excellent 60-minture documentary (don't watch the 10-minute one, it's a promotional featurette), storyboards, theaterical trailers, and countless special effects featurettes, and there are still countless more special features. Now, I all I want you to do now, is to go buy this DVD, if you are a serious science-fiction fan, and you want a great DVD loaded with special features. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Dan the Man
Review: This DVD should be in everyones film collection. The production and special effects are excellent. The acting is superb and the story is moving. Go out and buy this DVD at once You won't regret it.
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