Who is the Audience for This Movie?

People who like a little action and tension with their science fiction.

What I Liked About This Movie

Atmospheric, tense, action packed, and fascinating are all words I would use to describe this movie. Somehow the director James Cameron managed to make a movie that tightly packs together multiple genres while still using science fiction to spark events. I usually dislike movies that appeal to a wide audience by crossing genres but The Abyss is one movie that does it perfectly.

The main reason its genre bending is so successful is because the character interaction and dialogue between the drilling crew is spot on. You feel like the characters have known each other for a very long time. When situations arise that put them in danger the care for their fellow crew member seems genuine.

Shot mostly underwater, this movie looks stunning. Cameron uses drab colors but in many scenes throws in a lot of blue to keep the movie from looking too dark. Throughout the movie you get a cramped vibe that is effective while they are inside the main vessel and carries over to their ocean exploring.

What Didn’t Work For Me

Political angle to this movie has no real purpose or payoff. The interaction between the drilling crew is fantastic but the actors who play the Navy Seals do some poor acting and drag down a few scenes in the process.

The Abyss came out in 1989; CGI was still in its infancy at that time. Cameron has always used the best effects in his movies but in this movie the effects are a mixed bag. It does not cripple the movie but it is noticeable enough that it should be stated.

Should You Watch This Movie?

Typical science fiction this movie this is not. I for one enjoy this movie every time I watch it.

My Rating (Out of 13)