The Abyss (1989)

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn

A civilian diving team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine and faces danger while encountering an alien aquatic species.

‘The Abyss’ is not what I expected – but was better in a way. If you’re going into the movie expecting an alien invasion movie, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re going in not knowing what to expect, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised, as I was.

Incredibly, for such a long movie, the film is so fast-paced, not a minute is wasted. ‘The Abyss’ revolves around an underwater oil rig crew on a rescue mission to look for survivors from a submarine that sunk into an abyss. The crew soon realizes there is more than meets the eye – and the mission is not only about finding survivors.

On the oil rig side, the mission is lead by Bud (Ed Harris), and his estranged wife, Lindsay (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), who also designed the rig. The SEAL Team is lead by Lt. Coffey (Michael Biehn), who has an ace up his sleeve. Tension rise as the teams clash and the situation spins out of control, and this allows for suspense and a thrilling and exciting adventure.

‘The Abyss’ is more of a disaster movie with a survival element, than an alien movie. Yes, the aliens do make appearances now and again, but the movie is not about the aliens at all. The main attraction, for me, was the oil rig crew’s survival mission, which was far more interesting than the aliens.

The film boasts incredible visual and practical effects. The ending turned out a bit weird, but it was still fun. This is an incredible production I thoroughly enjoyed. Well done, James Cameron!

‘The Abyss’ received 24 award nominations, winning 9 – including an Oscar for Best Effects, Visual Effects. At the box office, it earned $90 million on a $45 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Yes.