The Abyss

release year: 1989
genre: sci-fi
viewing setting: home DVD, 8/21/05 and 2/2/01 and home laserdisc 4/18/98

synopsis: The Deepcore underwater drilling station and its crew are shanghaied by the Navy to check out a sunken nuclear sub, the sinking of which has caused a major international incident. As global tensions escalate, the crew (plus the Navy SEALs sent down to deal with the nuclear threat) not only bicker, but also find something else...something not from Earth.

impressions: This is a VASTLY different movie from the theatrical release. In fact, it takes on a whole new meaning. Anyhow, if you're a fan of underwater adventure and/or alien contact, you will probably like this. It's also got plenty of riveting human drama to pad the other stuff.

things to watch for: The ending scenes.

something this movie has that no other movie has: underwater aliens

acting: Ed Harris is the guy in charge of the rig, and he does a great job here. Michael Biehn is the CO of the SEAL team, and he also does a good job. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (you may recall her as Marion from the Costner Robin Hood) is Harris' irritating ex-wife, a role she fills well.

final word: If you liked the theatrical version, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. If you've never seen the movie at all, you should see this version and not bother with the regular one.

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