Rating: 
Summary: Amazing Special Features!
Review: Assuming you liked the movie in the first place - this DVD is a *must* have. I have never seen so much covered in a special features section on a DVD. Everything. Absolutely everything. The script (several versions), the making-of (several versions), more production notes than you have time to deal with, commentary, etc... Not to mention both versions of the movie are there.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another James Cameron epic restored
Review: There's one thing I've come to expect from movies scripted and directed by James Cameron: when you see the finished product on the big screen, you're not likely to be viewing everything that was filmed. 'The Abyss' is one of three Cameron movies (The others being 'Aliens' and 'Terminator 2') that have been released in Special Edition format. In this case, nearly a half-hour of scenes that were cut from the theatrical release have been restored.When I first viewed the Special Edition version, many of the restored moments blended in with the movie so well that there were times I didn't realize that I was watching new scenes. The big exception to this was near the end, where an entire subplot in the story is restored. I won't ruin it for anyone else by disclosing details... you'll have to see it for yourself. The only thing I'll say about it is, I feel that the Special Edition ending is not as abrupt or as confusing as the original ending. I've owned 'The Abyss' Special Edition on VHS, but when I checked it out on DVD, there was no comparison. I was in complete awe. I've not yet seen any other DVD movie that has nearly as many extra features as this 2-disc set does. In the first one, you can choose to view either the theatrical release or special edition version of the film. But as cool as that is, it's the second disc that sealed the deal for me. Platter number 2 contains two 'making of' documentaries, three trailers, details and descriptions about the various equipment and vehicles in the movie, several drafts of the script, storyboards, behind-the-scenes stills, cast and crew filmographies, and an endless array of other things that can entertain a movie buff for hours without ever actually watching the movie itself. I wouldn't be surprised if this set becomes required viewing for film students, since it has so much information about how 'The Abyss' was made, the methods used to produce it, and so much more. But, even with all of this, I have just one fairly insignificant gripe about this DVD. There's one moment, about an hour into the movie, that pauses for about a half a second before cutting to the next scene. This occurs when viewing either version of the flick. Yeah, I know... big whoop-de-doo...
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Great DVD
Review: The movie itself, the special edition version, is great. It adds 20 minutes worth of footage that adds three things to the movie: 1) Better character development. Little scenes here and there where we get a better feeling for how these oil rig workers care for each other, and a better understanding of Brigman's feelings for his ex-wife. 2) Added footage of the international incident that the crew of deepcore find themselves embroiled in. 3) The most important and involved, better understanding of who the underwater creatures are and the power that they yield. A much better climax ensues because of the footage being restored. Understand that this great DVD gives you both the original version and the special edition version. It is interesting to whatch the shorter version to see how careful Cameron had to be when he edited out the whole internation crisis plotline. The movie, of course, feels like something is missing. That something now restored in the Special edition. And as a bonus, the second disc has three mini-games, script, documentary and other features both DVD wise and DVDRom wise. No bones about it, this is worthy of a Criterion Edition (thhough it isn't) and I am glad to see companies taking care in releasing good movies with good DVD extras.
Rating:
Summary: DVD AT ITS BEST
Review: WELL, WHERE DO I START. . . I'VE JUST BOUGHT THIS FANTASTIC DVD AND IT IS EXCELLENT, THIS IS WHAT DVD IS ALL ABOUT. .An excellent transfer, Tons of extras, Great packaging & a Reasonable price. I WAS JUST GOBSMACKED WHEN I BROWSED THROUGH THE EXTRAS ON THIS DISC, THERE IS SO MUCH TO WATCH AS WELL AS HAVING BOTH THEATRICAL & SPECIAL EDITION VERSIONS ON THIS DISC. THERE WAS SOME GOOD DVD ROM FEATURES INCLUDING JAMES CAMERONS SCRIPT WHICH MAKES FOR SOME GOOD READING & LOTS OF HIDDEN GOODIES THROUGHOUT THE MENU'S. MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES CAMERON & FOX FOR GIVING DVD FANS AROUND THE WORLD THIS MASTERPIECE. THERE IS ONLY ONE THING LEFT FOR ME TO SAY. . . . PLEASE GIVE US MORE DISCS LIKE THIS (TITANIC DIRECTORS CUT ANYONE !). . .BRILLIANT!
Rating:
Summary: Complete
Review: Having seen the Abyss at original theatrical release time, I felt like something was missing from the movie. Well, this got rectified to a large extend with this DVD version. The added footage makes the movie much more satisfying and complete. Offcourse, any "mostly under water" movie should only be viewed with the picture clarity (and sound) of the DVD medium. The added features are extensive enough to warrant the second DVD. Our whole family was interested enough to have a sort of Abyss night, we spent hours viewing, reviewing and discussing the movie and all it's features. The only drawback is that your expectations fot the next DVD's feature set will probably be a bitter disappointment. I recommend this DVD version to every Sci-Fi fan and/or anyone who enjoyed it's original release.
Rating:
Summary: Oldie but a Goldie
Review: Although the Abyss is 11 years old it is still one of the classics. Sound and picture are as pure as a diamond. Watch the special edition and see the film in a new light, the 28 extra minutes tells another story, so find out what really happened when Ed Harris went to the bottom of the sea. Connect the DVD player to a Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder and this film really comes alive. Edge of the seat action that will make you Jump, Scream, and Cry. Great acting and superb special effects from the master of cinematography " James Cameron " and the sound quality that can only be made with the best..THX. Films of today are still trying to match the quality of this film but are still way behind in every way. 10/10
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic - buy this DVD set now!
Review: WOW! This set is great, brilliant movie (special edition version) excellent extras and well designed menus (there's even a hidden trailer for Strange Days - well sort of hidden) You are crazy if you don't by this set, stop reading this and buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: Worth the price of admission!
Review: THE ABYSS enthralled me when it first came out in 1989, but the ending always let me down a bit. This restored Special Edition fixes that, making this one of the best movies Cameron has ever done. There's a new depth here that anyone too young to remember the Cold War era might not get, but that those of us who lived through it can appreciate. If the ending had been intact in 1989, I suspect this movie would have been a lot better recieved ... The DVD itself is awesome. Picture quality is A+. The sound is not the greatest, but it is more than servicable. And the extras! Man, this is worth it. The animated menus alone rock, and the lead to a lot of interesting things (I especially liked all the archived behind-the-scenes footage, including a time-lapse movie of the Deepcore construction).
Rating:
Summary: blown away & about time
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out when i was living in new york. At the time it did seem that something was missing, a number of years later the video version of this special edition came out and answered most if not all of my quertions about the main theatrical release. With this DVD special edition all questions and thoughts are answered, apart from being an amazing film in itself the extras you get in this two disc offering is what value for money is all about. Its also a DVD that a fan of all movies should get as the back ground info on the making of The Abyss is an insight to how a movie is made, and to what extent that the endevour has on the cast & crew, just listen to Ed Harris for one. Anyway i could go on for days, its a great buy, and although i have the Matrix, which is very good THIS IS how DVD's should be presented to the public-ENJOY, thanks Stephen Roberts, March 28th 2000
Rating: 
Summary: Watch the documentary first.
Review: Wow! The plot itself plods along, but the cinematography is great. A film that is more appreciated after watching the documentary. The DVD is worth it for this alone. Most of the actors and crew had to be scuba certified. If you are certified, you know this isn't trivial. The suits aren't props either, but fully functional life supports. No wonder the film was called the hardness shoot ever. The DVD is packed with extras. I mean whole scripts not just the final script but initial scripts as well. I thought Ghostbusters had a lot of extras. This much extra material is sometimes hard to present, but unlike many DVDs that have very confusing interfaces, this one makes it very easy to find the material you're looking for. All together an absolute must for a DVD collection.
| 
