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The Abyss
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27

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  1. GilbertMulroneycakesAtSea
    May 9, 2004
    7
    Actually, the newage airheadedness only turns up at the ending - at both endings, in fact, neither of which work very well, being either too dumb or too talky or both. There's no explanation for the aliens - they're just there, and the best you can do is get used to it, damn your eyes. James Cameron doesn't have to explain things to the likes of you, he's the King of the World. And the director's cut is nothing so much as longer, which I'm sure you'll agree is something every mid-paced two-and-a-half hour long film needs to be. But never mind, because before the lots o' dumb finish, we have a genuinely tense, claustrophobic and scary movie - a faster Das Boot with aliens - featuring great work from Ed Harris, MaryElizabeth Mastrantonio (give her more work, damn you) and a brilliantly twitchy Michael Biehn sporting a tache which on its own could have caused an interplanetary conflict. It's not His Majesty's best movie ever (Terminator, anyone?) - it's not even his best movie centering around a sinking water-based vehicle - but it's still damn fine. And this DVD package is one of the best there is - look at the expressions of utter blank-eyed horror on the faces of Harris, Mastrantonionionio et al as they recall the shoot. Worth two and a half hours of your life. Whether it was worth several months of their lives in Hell, I'm not so sure.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. RobM.
    May 31, 2004
    10
    Another wonderful film art work from this crew. The imagery is out of this multiverse. The way the underwater gear is made is ahead of its time. Angels right in the ocean all along. And then love conquering the divorce courts when Ed rejoins his wife who he deeply loves. Underwater aliens filled with warmth and compasion to befriend the human race even with all its faults. This is a class A movie. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Bill
    Feb 20, 2005
    8
    The movie as a whole was great! However, the ending is what leaves a bad taste. It is never a good thing when you are watching a far out Sci-Fi movie and the thought "Now come on that's just not believable at all" races across your mind at the end of the show.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. [Anonymous]
    Jul 11, 2005
    7
    Very good, but it's a bit too long. That female character was too irritating to like, even though she revealed her issues close to the end. The pacing of her development was developed too late, making her annoying and too hard to forgive in the end. Giving us a hook or two suggesting something more to her in the beginning would've solved this problem, and brought more life to the enchanting moments. Underwater scenes are excellent.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. [Anonymous]
    May 31, 2004
    10
    The whole film is all about taking the viewer on a voyage of discovery. Brilliant cast and beautiful camera work. Anyone who loves science fiction needs to see this show.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. Josh
    Jan 30, 2005
    8
    Really great movie. good storyline, theme, effects and acting. Scary at times too. THUMBS UP!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. YoonMinC.
    Oct 21, 2003
    5
    Before Cameron sank the Titanic he made this silly movie about people duking it out far below ocean depths which opportuned him to come up with some impressive underwater effects. The central problem is the mindless plot, the stupid violence, and worst of all, the flaky deep sea civilization that's something like Close Encounters of the Underwater Kind. The director's cut has an ending so preachy and hokey one wonders if Cameron is really this stupid or so shamelessly manipulative. Cool effects in the service of newage airheadedness. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. BobM.
    Aug 22, 2003
    4
    Sleeper. Didn't like it in my youth or now. Interesting in very few ways. Nice effects. Rent it for a quiet evening when you'll barely pay attention to the movie (quiet evening at home with your lover.)
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. Jeremy
    Sep 29, 2003
    7
    Ok, the ending sucks. But for most of it's 145 minutes, The Abyss is a first-rate science fiction thriller with intelligence balancing out action.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. Mike
    Feb 14, 2005
    7
    One of the better sci fi movies out there. Plenty of action, great special effect, and good cast of actors. The ending isnt exactly what I was hoping for. But overall not a bad movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. Film_Fanatic_15
    Nov 24, 2010
    6
    The true wonder of the movie seems to take a direct nosedive toward the abyss after temporarily becoming a long war crime drama. Special effects will grab anyone's attention, especially in 1989's case. The characters: developed. Romance: average. Action is "average" as well. The plotline is the center of attention, and it wouldn't be much of a movie without it. James Cameron's vision of aliens under the sea are not what you would expect. They appear like giant electric sea creatures that are distorted in a way, making the line hazy between a giant sea creature never before discovered and something that actually came from space. By the end, everyone could be thinking "entertainment under the surface, who knew?"… Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    40
    How many times can we be awestruck by Day-Glo Gumbies? And why do these creatures always travel with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
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  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    75
    If you end up cursing, try not to forget The Abyss' spectacular oil-rig collapse, a killer chase scene, two fine leads, and one Oscar-worthy "creature'' special effect midway through. Do forget the rest - unless you really dig Casper, the Friendly Ghost. [9 Aug 1989, Life, p.1D]
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    40
    The attempt to extract the essences of several genres (cold-war submarine thriller, love story, Disney fantasy, pseudomystical SF in the Spielberg mode) and mix them together ultimately leads to giddy incoherence.
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