The Abyss: Special edition vs. theatrical cut - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

indiephantom · 03-29-2000, 05:25 PM

* * * Warning: Spoilers for the "Director's Cut" of The Abyss * * *
* * * Read carefully * * *

First off, I found the THE ABYSS SE to be an amazing disc. I know the whole anamorphic debate rages on, and the absence of that is disappointing. But contrary to some of the reviews I've read, the 5.1 audio seemed great to me. The LFE channel was thundering? Why did people feel this mix to be subpar?

Anyway, my only real beef with THE ABYSS is the new version itself. I thought the tidal wave was great visually, but the entire last 20 minutes of the film was hokey. MISSION TO MARS seems to have ripped off this cheesy finale. I mean it's like the aliens are saying "hey, be nice to each other or we'll drown you. " If the tidal wave threat is going to change anything on earth, it's going to most likely cause psychiatric bills to go through the roof.

I never like heavy-handed messages, and Cameron hits us over the head with this ending. The theatrical cut at least allowed for ambiguity. This new version is the stuff of Michael Bay.

Any other thoughts before I commit myself to only watching the theatrical cut. (For the record, the other added scenes weren't bad, but were unnecessary, which is why they were not included in the first place.)

[This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 03-29-2000).]

Sid · 03-29-2000, 08:37 PM

I greatly prefer the SE over the theatrical cut. The ending may be a bit hokey, but its better than the ending of the Theatrical cut. And the whole subplot about the Russians makes it a better film.

I'm of the opinion that all extended cuts of Camerons films are much better than theatrical versions

***Taxi*** · 03-29-2000, 09:08 PM

Spoilers follow...

Well, I must admit that I've got my Abyss DVD at home, only partially watched. I haven't watched the whole Director's Cut yet, although what I have seen (In the Under Pressure documentary) didn't really impress me much, for the reasons that indiephantom stated above. The whole "stop killing each other or we'll kill you" thing just doesn't make sense to me. I'm hoping to catch all three hours of it this weekend.

------------------
Taxi
DVDFile.Com Moderator

TheMovieKid · 03-29-2000, 10:59 PM

Really, I liked the SE ending. I didn't find it hokey or stuff for Michael Bay (well back in 1993, nobody heard of Mr. Bay). Origianlly, I saw the SE cut before the Theatrical Cut, so my preferred cut is the SE.

BTW, I have seen the Theatrical Cut before, and it sucks imo.

Dehrian · 03-30-2000, 08:42 PM

I very much prefer the SE cut to the theatrical. I remember seeing it in the theater on opening day, and walking out thinking, "What the hell was that supposed to be all about?" I knew things had been cut because the ending made no sense; or, at least, left more questions than answers. Watching the SE on LD a few years later, I found all the loose ends tied up rather nicely. The message of the film might be hokey, sure, but at least the film makes sense in SE, and doesn't just suddenly stop like in the theatrical cut.

04-04-2000, 03:42 PM

The Special Edition versions FAR surpasses the theatrical, no question.

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Lo Pan · 04-05-2000, 11:58 AM

The Abyss is one of my all time fave movies. I don't begrudge anyone who prefers the theatrical cut, but personally, I love the extra character stuff in the SE. And while I think the SE ending is a little weighty on the syrup, I don't much care for the abruptness of the theatrical cut.

03-29-2000, 05:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
indiephantom Guest Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Bathurst, NB, Canada	The Abyss: Special edition vs. theatrical cut * * * Warning: Spoilers for the "Director's Cut" of The Abyss * * * * * * Read carefully * * * First off, I found the THE ABYSS SE to be an amazing disc. I know the whole anamorphic debate rages on, and the absence of that is disappointing. But contrary to some of the reviews I've read, the 5.1 audio seemed great to me. The LFE channel was thundering? Why did people feel this mix to be subpar? Anyway, my only real beef with THE ABYSS is the new version itself. I thought the tidal wave was great visually, but the entire last 20 minutes of the film was hokey. MISSION TO MARS seems to have ripped off this cheesy finale. I mean it's like the aliens are saying "hey, be nice to each other or we'll drown you. " If the tidal wave threat is going to change anything on earth, it's going to most likely cause psychiatric bills to go through the roof. I never like heavy-handed messages, and Cameron hits us over the head with this ending. The theatrical cut at least allowed for ambiguity. This new version is the stuff of Michael Bay. Any other thoughts before I commit myself to only watching the theatrical cut. (For the record, the other added scenes weren't bad, but were unnecessary, which is why they were not included in the first place.) [This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 03-29-2000).]

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03-29-2000, 08:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sid Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Antioch, California, U.S.A.	I greatly prefer the SE over the theatrical cut. The ending may be a bit hokey, but its better than the ending of the Theatrical cut. And the whole subplot about the Russians makes it a better film. I'm of the opinion that all extended cuts of Camerons films are much better than theatrical versions

03-29-2000, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Taxi* Administrator Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	Spoilers follow... Well, I must admit that I've got my Abyss DVD at home, only partially watched. I haven't watched the whole Director's Cut yet, although what I have seen (In the Under Pressure documentary) didn't really impress me much, for the reasons that indiephantom stated above. The whole "stop killing each other or we'll kill you" thing just doesn't make sense to me. I'm hoping to catch all three hours of it this weekend. ------------------ Taxi DVDFile.Com Moderator

03-29-2000, 10:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheMovieKid Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA	Really, I liked the SE ending. I didn't find it hokey or stuff for Michael Bay (well back in 1993, nobody heard of Mr. Bay). Origianlly, I saw the SE cut before the Theatrical Cut, so my preferred cut is the SE. BTW, I have seen the Theatrical Cut before, and it sucks imo.

03-30-2000, 08:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dehrian Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CA	I very much prefer the SE cut to the theatrical. I remember seeing it in the theater on opening day, and walking out thinking, "What the hell was that supposed to be all about?" I knew things had been cut because the ending made no sense; or, at least, left more questions than answers. Watching the SE on LD a few years later, I found all the loose ends tied up rather nicely. The message of the film might be hokey, sure, but at least the film makes sense in SE, and doesn't just suddenly stop like in the theatrical cut.

04-04-2000, 03:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
DVD Jedi	The Special Edition versions FAR surpasses the theatrical, no question. ------------------ Visit DVD Sewer! "The DVD site with bite from a film fan's point of view." ---------------- Carl's DVD List (Always "in production")

04-05-2000, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lo Pan Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Chinatown.	The Abyss is one of my all time fave movies. I don't begrudge anyone who prefers the theatrical cut, but personally, I love the extra character stuff in the SE. And while I think the SE ending is a little weighty on the syrup, I don't much care for the abruptness of the theatrical cut.