The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
06-20-04 | 05:52 PM
#1
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The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
I just finished watching it. It definitely wasn't what I expected it to be.
Anyway, can people help me out here. I know there is probably some symbolism in this movie and more than meets the eye. But a lot of the extra-terrestial stuff, especially at the end, I just didn't "get it."
Thanks.
Anyway, can people help me out here. I know there is probably some symbolism in this movie and more than meets the eye. But a lot of the extra-terrestial stuff, especially at the end, I just didn't "get it."
Thanks.
06-20-04 | 07:01 PM
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Well, no wonder you didn't "get it." You were supposed to watch the extended cut. The aliens didn't even try to obliterate life in the theatrical version. I still dont know what the hell they were there for in that version.
06-20-04 | 08:43 PM
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one of my favorite movies. watch it again..you may get it upon a second viewing. i also think you can get it with just the theatrical edition.
06-20-04 | 10:20 PM
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Better than watching the director's cut.. read the novelization by Orson Scott Card. Cameron gave him the basic principles and he expanded on it. I happened to have read it before the Abyss opened and it made a lot more sense to me.
06-21-04 | 12:02 AM
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Hmm.
I might have to watch it again.
I last watched the extended cut over a year ago, and the feeling I got was
I also agree 110% that the extended cut TOTALLY changes the meaning of the film, and is a superior version that makes more sense.
I might have to watch it again.
I last watched the extended cut over a year ago, and the feeling I got was
Spoiler:
I also agree 110% that the extended cut TOTALLY changes the meaning of the film, and is a superior version that makes more sense.
06-21-04 | 09:24 PM
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Definetly watch the extended cut. It's a must - a completely different film, and I think the "The Abyss" that will survive as the version people refer to as "the actual film" from now on.
06-22-04 | 12:10 AM
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Geez, I didn't even know there was an extended cut. I watched it years ago when it came out and remember thinking that this is one of the best movies I've ever seen...except the ending, which just made me go huh? Felt similar to when I saw S. King's IT. Will definitely check it out
06-22-04 | 12:36 AM
#14
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Agreed, the the extended cut.
Get this version: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd It's one of the best DVDs ever released.
This is the same thing, but without the second disc.
Get this version: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd It's one of the best DVDs ever released.
This is the same thing, but without the second disc.
06-22-04 | 02:10 AM
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I love The Abyss. Does it actually ever say that they are aliens in the movie. They could just as easily be an intelligent species that evolved deep underwater that humans never had contact with. It would especially make sense given that water based organisms came long before land based ones so that would give them a long time to evolve to their advanced state. This way the warning would carry more weight, by saying "we were here first and you have no right to trash our environment".
06-22-04 | 12:18 PM
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The only bad thing about the ext. edition, unless it's just my copy, is that there is one bad edit close to the end of the film. Where one of guys starts to say a word and it gets cut off mid way through the word. Not a huge problem, but I'm a nit-picker heh.
06-22-04 | 12:54 PM
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Originally posted by Puzznic
I love The Abyss. Does it actually ever say that they are aliens in the movie. They could just as easily be an intelligent species that evolved deep underwater that humans never had contact with.
I love The Abyss. Does it actually ever say that they are aliens in the movie. They could just as easily be an intelligent species that evolved deep underwater that humans never had contact with.
11-13-23 | 02:40 PM
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re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
Last edited by devilshalo; 11-13-23 at 07:03 PM.
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AGuyNamedMike (11-21-23)
11-13-23 | 02:48 PM
#20
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re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
maybe PacMan2006 will finally get it after one more viewing.
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IBJoel (11-14-23)
11-13-23 | 06:02 PM
#21
re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
I was in the theater on opening day and my problem was that the sequence where Harris and Mastranonio almost die is so powerful that it upstaged the rest of the film. However, the "Special Edition" gives the back half the power it needs.
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AGuyNamedMike (11-21-23)
11-13-23 | 06:37 PM
#22
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re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
It should look amazing. Should.
11-13-23 | 06:42 PM
#23
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re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
I still love the Chris Elliot line "Oh look who's with them. It's the queen bitch of the universe".
11-13-23 | 06:43 PM
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From: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
If only for the longer 'conversation' Bud has with the alien/NTI to give it more weight...
11-13-23 | 08:48 PM
#25
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re: The Abyss (1989, W/D: James Cameron) -- Discussion Thread
I liked seeing it cut with a modern trailer.
I haven’t watched it in 10+ years. Will be fun to revisit.
I haven’t watched it in 10+ years. Will be fun to revisit.