The Abyss Special Edition (R6)
What?
Despite the many problems James Cameron endured whilst making The Abyss (over budget, missed it’s cinema release date, Ed Harris nearly drowning!), he managed to put together a very human driven motion picture that doesn’t relies on OTT special effects. Whilst a majority of people has seen The Abyss in some form or another, I’m trusting that a few people still have to experience it. Opening with the unexplained crash of the submarine, the USS Montana, The American government, racing against the soviets and a hurricane that is approaching the area, decide to mount a search and rescue using Navy Seals and the crew of an experimental underwater oil drilling platform led by Virgil "Bud" Brigman (Ed Harris). Upon exploring the wreckage of the USS Montana and its nuclear cargo, they find that they are cut off from the outside world due to the hurricane upon the surface and are left to fend for themselves. With Nuclear Armageddon and the fate of the world at stake, what follows is a tense battle between the Seal’s leader Lt. Coffey (Michael Biehn) and his descent into madness and the mystery that lies below in the abyss.
In 1993, James Cameron had an opportunity to release an extended Special Edition of the Abyss incorporating twenty eight minutes of unseen footage. This footage included more character development and a more enriched in-depth finale with completed CGI effects that couldn’t be completed in time for the film’s premiere. This R6 DVD contains only the longer, and more superior, Special Edition.
Optics:
Minted from the same transfer that blessed the original Laserdisc and DVD, I’m glad to report that this newly struck anamorphic transfer is a much-needed upgrade from the original DVD. It’s not reference quality but it is an improvement on what we had to put up with for so many years. Where in the past we have zoomed in on the image to fill our TV’s; this anamorphic transfer solves all the issues of lower resolution, pixilation and bringing out all the faults with DVD technology. Doing a side-by-side comparison between the R1 DVD and the R6, I found that R6 had the edge with clearer detail and a more balanced contrast. Whilst the film has quite a lot of intentional grain, there were no signs of edge enhancement.
Sonics:
To compliment the first ever anamorphic transfer of The Abyss, Excel Media has decided to grace this presentation with a full bitrate DTS-ES 6.1 track. And what a treat it is! Directly comparing this new edition to the original R1, The DTS-ES mix stomps all over the original Dolby Digital 5.1. I found the soundmix was too loud on the R1 DVD, something I had never complained of in the past, but upon further listening it appeared to have been dialed up for some reason. Listening to the DTS on this edition was a delight on my senses. The soundmix had a more natural soundstage and was finely detailed, the action scenes carry quite a punch and Alan Silverstri’s score sounds wonderful.
Extras:
Sadly lacking, the only special feature presented here is a text commentary. The hour long 'Under Pressure' documentary, featurettes, photo galleries have all been forgotten.
Well?
If James Cameron isn’t battling robots in the future or going into outer space, he’s under water (he’s been there for about twelve years!). One of James Cameron’s most human driven films, this is a much needed superior presentation. Until the inevitable Blu-ray is announced, a true fan would supplement his original Special Edition release with this fine quality DVD.
Robert Beardsley
Despite the many problems James Cameron endured whilst making The Abyss (over budget, missed it’s cinema release date, Ed Harris nearly drowning!), he managed to put together a very human driven motion picture that doesn’t relies on OTT special effects. Whilst a majority of people has seen The Abyss in some form or another, I’m trusting that a few people still have to experience it. Opening with the unexplained crash of the submarine, the USS Montana, The American government, racing against the soviets and a hurricane that is approaching the area, decide to mount a search and rescue using Navy Seals and the crew of an experimental underwater oil drilling platform led by Virgil "Bud" Brigman (Ed Harris). Upon exploring the wreckage of the USS Montana and its nuclear cargo, they find that they are cut off from the outside world due to the hurricane upon the surface and are left to fend for themselves. With Nuclear Armageddon and the fate of the world at stake, what follows is a tense battle between the Seal’s leader Lt. Coffey (Michael Biehn) and his descent into madness and the mystery that lies below in the abyss.
In 1993, James Cameron had an opportunity to release an extended Special Edition of the Abyss incorporating twenty eight minutes of unseen footage. This footage included more character development and a more enriched in-depth finale with completed CGI effects that couldn’t be completed in time for the film’s premiere. This R6 DVD contains only the longer, and more superior, Special Edition.
Optics:
Minted from the same transfer that blessed the original Laserdisc and DVD, I’m glad to report that this newly struck anamorphic transfer is a much-needed upgrade from the original DVD. It’s not reference quality but it is an improvement on what we had to put up with for so many years. Where in the past we have zoomed in on the image to fill our TV’s; this anamorphic transfer solves all the issues of lower resolution, pixilation and bringing out all the faults with DVD technology. Doing a side-by-side comparison between the R1 DVD and the R6, I found that R6 had the edge with clearer detail and a more balanced contrast. Whilst the film has quite a lot of intentional grain, there were no signs of edge enhancement.
Sonics:
To compliment the first ever anamorphic transfer of The Abyss, Excel Media has decided to grace this presentation with a full bitrate DTS-ES 6.1 track. And what a treat it is! Directly comparing this new edition to the original R1, The DTS-ES mix stomps all over the original Dolby Digital 5.1. I found the soundmix was too loud on the R1 DVD, something I had never complained of in the past, but upon further listening it appeared to have been dialed up for some reason. Listening to the DTS on this edition was a delight on my senses. The soundmix had a more natural soundstage and was finely detailed, the action scenes carry quite a punch and Alan Silverstri’s score sounds wonderful.
Extras:
Sadly lacking, the only special feature presented here is a text commentary. The hour long 'Under Pressure' documentary, featurettes, photo galleries have all been forgotten.
Well?
If James Cameron isn’t battling robots in the future or going into outer space, he’s under water (he’s been there for about twelve years!). One of James Cameron’s most human driven films, this is a much needed superior presentation. Until the inevitable Blu-ray is announced, a true fan would supplement his original Special Edition release with this fine quality DVD.
Robert Beardsley
Director:
James Cameron
Starring:
Ed Harris
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Michael Biehn
Best line:
"It's a bottomless pit, baby. Two-and-a-half miles straight down!"
Tagline:
"A place on earth more awesome than anywhere in space."
Description:
Excel Media
Region 6
China
Not rated
2Hrs 50 Mins
2.35:1
(Anamorphic)
DTS-ES 6.1
(1536kbps)
Dolby Digital EX 5.1
Text commentary
Ratings: (Out of 5)
Film 4.5
Optics 4.0
Sonics 4.5
Extras 0.5
Overall 4.0
