The Abyss
Category
Science Fiction
Director
James Cameron
Cast
- Ed Harris
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
- Michael Biehn
- J.C. Quinn
Release Date
9 August 1989
Synopsis
A sci-fi thriller about water aliens, Cameron's "The Abyss" tells the story of a crew of the American Navy who encountered extraterrestrials whose presence caused a severe malfunction of their submarine. Once the news about the crew stranded within the depths of the Cayman Trough reached the headquarters, a rescue team was formed comprising of a navy crew and the architect of an oil rig located near the accident site. This oil platform served as the headquarters of the rescue team and as they went deeper into the ocean, they finally discover the truth behind the extraterrestrials who allegedly caused the sinking of the submarine.
Since the story is actually comprised of several sub-plots -- a love story, a sci-fi mystery, military action, and drama, it didn't gain a very warm reception from the audience. Nevertheless, the special effects used to portray the existence of the water alien was a spectacular breakthrough, catapulting this movie into the spotlight.
The production of this sci-fi flick was one of the most arduous tasks since the film required the utilization of a gigantic tank of an inactive nuclear plant so as to simulate a realistic underwater environment. This realistic underwater environment combined with sophisticated cinematic effects made this film a recipient of several recognitions and nominations from prestigious award-giving bodies.
The actual production process, according to some, was difficult and painful especially for the crew and cast. Despite rumors about a rift between Cameron and main actor Ed Harris, the movie was considered as a monumental event in the history of cinematic effects.
The suspense-filled underwater scene depicting the major characters' encounter with an actual alien was one of the most unforgettable shots. As the movie continues, the shots were cleverly designed to provide a unique sci-fi suspense thriller.
A special edition was later released by Cameron and Ed Marsh (editor) that included scenes, footages, and outtakes that were originally removed because of time constraint, distribution problems, and technical issues. The special edition did receive a warmer reception and the VCD version became a hit for several months.