Cameron's Marvellous Close Encounters Of The Sea Kind Special Edition A deep sea oil crew is asked by the military to look into what happened when an American nuclear submarine went down in the ocean’s depths. As the team, along with their Navy Seal companions—who have a tendency toward impatience—descend further, it becomes clear they aren't alone in that environment. The Abyss isn’t perfect if you examine it closely, even considering the restored ending—a much improved version that James Cameron was pressured into reinserting by studio executives who seemed to lack good judgment. The biggest issue is that after keeping us engaged for two hours, the film doesn't quite manage to deliver a powerful message relevant to today’s audiences. However, repeated viewings confirm that it's often visually stunning and impressively ambitious, combining those qualities into a big, loud demonstration of blockbuster filmmaking with substance. It’s hard to argue that James Cameron isn’t trying to entertain people, and here he succeeds; you can see the effort and dedication in every frame. The main performers do strong work—Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio provide the film's emotional core as the conflicted Brighams—and Michael Biehn, a frequent Cameron collaborator, is memorable as an unstable decompression case! The technical elements are impressive too; the visual effects deservedly received an Academy Award, and both the photography (by Mikael Salomon) and production design (Dilley/Kuljian) are worth the cost of renting it. The film’s creation itself would make for a compelling story, a difficult and tense shoot filled with problems that I won't detail here since they’re easily accessible online. But Cameron persevered because he wanted to impress and excite, and he does so. The actors give excellent performances, and you can sense the energy and hard work put into it. It’s fair to say The Abyss blends elements of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind & The Day The Earth Stood Still, but I don't have a problem with that! As an impressive display, it generously rewards viewers who stick with it; as a truly profound film, it comes up just short. Even so, a less-than-perfect Cameron movie is still quite the experience. 8.5/10

Source on TMDB