Time: 140 Minutes
Cast:
Ed Harris as Virgil “Bud” Brigman
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Dr. Lindsey Brigman
Michael Biehn as US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Hiram Coffey
Director: James Cameron

The Abyss was one of the last remaining James Cameron movies I was wanting to get around to. I only knew a few things about it, outside of the director, it was a sci-fi film involving the ocean, and starred Ed Harris. It turned out to be really good.

For what it’s worth, I watched the director’s cut, and I really liked it. So if you can watch it, I’d recommend that version over the theatrical cut. The Abyss is an ocean epic that’s imaginative, creative, and full of rich ideas and concepts. There is a real sense of wonder to it, especially as characters react to their new environments. There are also some especially dramatic and tense scenes, mainly in the second half. While the film is really good, it does take a little while to get into in the first act. Otherwise, I think it is well paced despite the long runtime.

The acting is great on the whole. Ed Harris gives a passionate and emotional performance as his abrasive yet sympathetic character. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is also really good, these two leads play off each other well. Michael Biehn is exceptional as a navy SEAL who falls apart over the course of the movie, becoming more deranged and paranoid as the plot progresses. The rest of the supporting cast are good, but aren’t nearly as memorable as the previous three mentioned actors.

This is the first of many epics from James Cameron, and it is a technical accomplishment for sure. It looks great, and there is so much attention to detail. The practical effects hold up well, and even the CGI works. The set pieces are mesmerising; the underwater sequences are particularly stunning and look real. Cameron does well at creating this claustrophobic atmosphere, but also delivers on the Spielberg-esque wonder, helped by a beautiful score from Alan Silvestri.

The Abyss is an ambitious and technically fantastic sci-fi film, with gorgeous visuals, a claustrophobic atmosphere, and thrilling sequences. It’s not one of James Cameron’s best films, but it is great, and still holds up really well today.