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Summary: .
Review: This, in my opinion, is James Cameron's best (and regularly underappreciated) film. Of course, I am by no means a James Cameron fan, so take it for what it's worth. I think he's a competant Hollywood director, but that only means that he makes better trash than his contemporaries. Still, The Abyss is a personal favorite of mine somehow. It isn't perfect, and certainly is a bit slow at times, but these things don't bother me at all. The slow pacing and the careful development of the circumstances which lead to all of the action later into the film are what I credit the movie for, actually. And as a whole, it really is quite a unique movie, with some very wonderful and even genuinely gripping moments. In any case, I do NOT feel the same way about the Director's Cut, which is appallingly bad. I looked forward to the additional footage but quickly realized what a wise move it was to have it removed before theatrical release. It took the odd, engaging, escapist film I knew and loved and turned it into a silly, stomach-turning, 3-hour sermon; the last half-hour, which although ambiguous in the original version was very satisfying to me on a number of levels, is now atrociously cheesy and utterly ruined. Avoid the Director's Cut.
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Summary: Truly masterful, just like most of Cameron's other works
Review: James Cameron directed and wrote this very beautifully shot, masterfully told underwater saga. Like his other masterful works, The Abyss deserves credit for the technological achievements; therefore, it propelled all films since into a new realm of computer graphics. The acting of Ed Harris is Oscar quality, though he was not given credit. Cameron's other version, the 'Special Edition' is quite impressive...as far as the original story is concerned, it makes incredibly more sense. But with either cut, this movie deserves our most abundent attention for the message against our many dangerous defenses that is obviously relayed by director, Cameron. Two thumbs high up in the air and it gets my utmost respect for the attempt of trying our senses against violence, not obvious to even the director--I see it clear as day in most of Cameron's films.
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Summary: The Best James Cameron Movie Of All Time
Review: Forget "Titanic," even forget "The Terminator." This movie far surpasses any of those in a wondrous display of fine acting and mind-boggling special effects! Cameron, not known for creatin solid, believable characters, has really outdone himself in this sci-fi masterpiece starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastriano (or however you spell it; you know, she's the chick from "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"), and Michael Beihn in the most fabulous roles ever displayed on film. Cameron presents his film with a gripping on-the-edge-of-your-seat explosive beginning and eventually the audience finds themselves truly captivated by the dream-like world this fine director has created for us. I can't say enough good things about this movie, except that it's a can't-miss!!! The Special Edition is exceptionally well-done in a marvelous display of awesome scenes cut from the original that make the original so much better! I highly recommend both films, whereas The Special Edition has made "The Abyss" my favorite movie of all time. You just HAVE to buy it!!! Now if only they could come out with it in a DVD format... wouldn't that just kick!!!!
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Summary: ALL TIME FAVORITE - MAKE IT AVAILABLE ON "DVD" WIDESCREEN
Review: I have watched this spectacular underwater film so many times, I can't begin to count. I've never seen it in widescreen and am tempted to purchase the VHS; but, I'm hooked on DVD and can't wait until it's made available on DVD Widescreen. Please, please make it available on DVD ASAP.
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Summary: Great movie, bad ending.
Review: Until today, I did not even know there was a director's cut. I have to see it! The story line was good, the acting (most of it) great. A lot of the customer comments focus on Ed Harris-- with good reason. He was wonderful. But so was Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Her drowning seen was one of the most intense, believable, and heartbreaking scenes I've ever seen. It's the reason I bought the video! The very end though was a big disappointment. The underwater city looked like it was made by preschoolers. But the rest of the movie more than makes up for it. I highly recommend it!
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Summary: Very good, but...
Review: This is an excellent movie, especially in the Special edition. But why has it not been released on DVD yet?
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Summary: The Widescreen Special Edition is the one to get...
Review: The Special Edition Widescreen version of The Abyss is a far more complete and whole edition of the movie. I was amazed at the original version, but was truly captivated by the Special Edition. This is an excellent movie, one that may not have gotten as much credit as it deserved. If you liked the original, then I highly recommend the Special Edition.
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Summary: Special Edition cements this movie's greatness
Review: when I first saw The abyss on the SciFi Channel, I was stunned. It was so intelligent, moving, and powerful. I then rented it and apparently I had seen the Special Edition, becasue I directed my family to my favorite parts, and they wound up not being there. Without the additional footage, the movie falls flat, but restored properly, it stands as one of the best scifi films of all time. As good as the direction, story, etc. all were, the acting is what moved me to tears. Ed Harris deserved an Oscar for his performance, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio's long-distance conversation w/ Bud (aka "the candle scene") made me cry. Heartfelt and moving. Truly great.
Rating: 
Summary: The title says it all.
Review: Truly abysmal. Yes, the special effects are tremendous, but the moronic screenplay is hard to get past. Is this film what took Mastrontonio and Biehn off the A-list? They're directed to play ideas, not people. Biehn, otherwise a competent actor, twitches and rolls his eyes here, indulging in every acting cliche. Poor Mastrontonio, usually brilliant, here goes from cynical realist to alien-spotter in one fell swoop. Come on. Anyone else in her position would assume that she has discovered a previously unknown sea creature before deciding it's an alien. There are unbelievable jumps in the story; it's just a mess. Only Ed Harris escapes unscathed. I'd rather see an Esther Williams water picture than this mess again.
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Summary: The Ending??????
Review: I really enjoyed this movie until the last five minutes. I don't understand how Cameron could be so effective with his special effects for the first two hours and then regress to B movie special effects at the end.
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