The Abyss 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 96
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
The Abyss in 4K UHD Blu-ray, with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, offers a visually polished and immersive experience, despite some digital revisions and contentious grain reduction.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 93
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'The Abyss' offers an impressive 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 transfer in 2.39:1 with HDR and Dolby Vision clarity, despite some minor grain and edge-enhancements issues. The underwater sequences shine, and the Dolby Vision enriches colors and blacks, making this release a significant visual upgrade.
Audio: 96
Featuring a richly immersive Dolby Atmos track, 'The Abyss' 4K UHD Blu-ray's audio excels with dynamic range, impressive LFE support, clear dialogue, and atmospheric effects that envelop the listener, creating an authentic underwater soundscape.
Extra: 93
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'The Abyss' impressively includes both theatrical and Special Edition cuts in 4K with Atmos, complemented by two new HD documentaries and a wealth of archival extras, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging revisit to Cameron's sci-fi classic.
Movie: 92
"The Abyss" 4K UHD Blu-ray release is a technical marvel, blending nail-biting underwater set pieces with seamlessly branched versions—both the original theatrical and more emotionally satisfying Special Edition cuts. Enhanced visuals and practical effects create a timeless spectacle that showcases James Cameron's early mastery in marrying human drama with sci-fi intrigue.
Video: 93
The long-awaited 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Abyss" sets a new bar for the restoration and presentation of James Cameron's classic. Utilizing the original 35mm film stock scanned in 4K, this transfer is presented in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and encoded with HEVC/H.265. The image benefits from High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Vision, translating to an impressive depth and color fidelity. The practical setpieces and underwater sequences are visually breathtaking, appearing almost three-dimensional. The enhanced resolution allows for fine details, such as facial features and costume textures, to be remarkably clear, even in underwater scenes.
Grain, while minimal, is present and more noticeable against lighter backgrounds, ensuring that the film retains its original texture without excessive digital noise reduction (DNR). Some purists may lament the diminished grain structure and occasional edge enhancement, but overall, the balance between cleanliness and authenticity is well-maintained. The video presentation also excels in color accuracy; the iconic steel-blue tint of the underwater scenes is rendered faithfully and richly. Moreover, the CGI effects, although showing their age, blend more seamlessly into the film than expected, thanks to improved image quality.
Despite minor imperfections like speckling, banding in underwater miniatures, and a few dated VFX shots that don't fare well under the scrutiny of 2160p resolution, the release is a significant leap from previous formats. The Dolby Vision HDR particularly enhances the pastel fluorescence elements, offering a visual experience that feels both new and nostalgic. Fans should find themselves forgiving these minor faults, appreciating instead the excellent upgrade to what was once only available on DVD and far surpassing even the excellent 1080p presentation included in the package. This Blu-ray release provides an extraordinary viewing experience that has been long overdue and now wonderfully realized.
Audio: 96
The audio presentation of "The Abyss" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a thoroughly engaging and immersive experience, primarily through its Dolby Atmos mix, with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core. This upgrade offers a dynamic range and high fidelity that supersedes the lossy Atmos track on the 4K digital version. The cinematic score by Alan Silvestri resonates with rich, emotive orchestration, creating an expansive soundscape from the outset. Amongst the highlights is the powerful single-note heartbeat during the harrowing single-suit return to the rig, which benefits from substantial LFE support, adding real depth and tension to already gripping scenes.
The atmospheric track employs an object-based array that meticulously disseminates sound effects across all channels. From the haunting a cappella voices in the opening to the extensive water effects throughout, especially prevalent during the film’s second half, the surround activity is incredibly engaging. Submersible sounds, clanging construction equipment, and hurricane winds provide compelling sonic cues that enhance the movie's scale and intensity. The use of height channels immerses the viewer in underwater acoustics, while dynamic rear-channel elements add further complexity, making the overall soundstage both lively and authentic.
Dialogue remains crystal clear and prioritized, maintaining clarity amid chaotic scenes. The audio prowess extends to detailed ambient noises such as hydraulic doors whirring, mini-sub propellers fluttering, and tactile effects like someone fiddling with dials and switches. This is complemented by solid, albeit not overpowering, low-end force that underscores pivotal moments with impactful bass. Overall, "The Abyss" offers a superb auditory experience on 4K UHD Blu-ray, one that matches its visual loveliness and ensures an unforgettable viewing experience.
Extra: 93
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Abyss" offers a commendable array of extras, thoughtfully curated to provide both new insights and rich historical context. The highlights include two newly created documentaries, adding valuable depth to the archival material sourced from earlier releases. James Cameron’s half-hour-long Special Edition of the film is presented in 4K with Atmos, elevating the viewing experience substantially. The extras span across three discs, combining high-definition retrospectives with standard definition legacy content, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the film’s creation and its enduring influence. The inclusion of a slipcover and a digital copy further enhances the package's appeal.
Extras included in this disc:
- Deep Dive: A Conversation with James Cameron: An engaging interview where Cameron shares vivid memories of making the film.
- Legacy of The Abyss: Cast and crew discuss the film's lasting impact in collected interviews.
- Under Pressure: Making The Abyss: Archival documentary with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
- Archives: Extensive vintage text and photo galleries from the previous DVD release.
Movie: 92
James Cameron's "The Abyss" masterfully combines intense drama, science fiction, and underwater thrills to deliver a cinematic experience that remains unique even decades after its initial release. At its core, the film is a suspenseful clash between two groups: a team of blue-collar oil rig workers and a cadre of Navy SEALs, both thrust into a seemingly hopeless mission to recover a sunken nuclear submarine. The script expertly weaves the claustrophobic tension of Cold War paranoia with life-and-death stakes, especially when the discovery of an otherworldly force complicates their perilous journey. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio lead a stellar cast, convincingly portraying deeply emotional and intelligent characters amid trying circumstances. Their chemistry provides the narrative's emotional backbone, enhanced by Michael Biehn's memorable portrayal of the increasingly paranoid Lt. Coffey.
Technically, "The Abyss" showcases groundbreaking practical effects and early CGI that garnered it an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The intricate underwater sets and hypnotic scenes, like the infamous "water tentacle," remain visually arresting even by today's standards. The film's tension is incessantly palpable during sequences involving underwater storms, malfunctioning mini-subs, and nuclear threats—all impeccably shot to maximize the audience's anxiety. Cameron’s direction shines, blending human drama with high-stakes action to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. The narrative builds effectively towards its climax, presenting not just physical but moral dilemmas that resonate strongly.
Notably, the Special Edition of "The Abyss," running close to three hours, offers a richer, more emotionally satisfying experience. This extended cut —which includes an elaborately fleshed-out subplot explaining the alien presence— gives audiences a deeper understanding of the film’s themes about understanding and pacifying the unknown instead of dominating it. While the theatrical version trims down this subplot to fit within commercial constraints, true enthusiasts often favor the Special Edition for its comprehensive storytelling and enhanced emotional payoff. Cameron’s meticulous revisionism in this version ensures a seamless viewing experience where every character arc and plot point gracefully coalesces.
Total: 96
The Abyss is one of James Cameron's most underrated masterpieces, often overshadowed by his earlier triumphs such as The Terminator and Aliens, yet it stands as one of the greatest underwater spectacles of all time. The 4K UHD Blu-ray release enriches this deep-sea survival voyage with stunning visual clarity and immersive audio, enabling viewers to rediscover a film that brilliantly blends science fiction and emotional depth. Despite some controversies surrounding the digital refurbishments, which may make the film appear almost too polished for its original 1989 aesthetic, the overall experience remains a must-have for any enthusiast of Cameron's epic cinematic odysseys.
The inclusion of both the theatrical and special editions in 1080p and 4K UHD formats will undoubtedly excite longtime fans, while the array of supplementary materials included on the bonus 1080p disc provides a treasure trove of insights and behind-the-scenes content. The technical elements, particularly Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound, significantly elevate the viewing experience, offering a near flawless representation that makes it feel as if you're seeing The Abyss for the first time. While some purists may struggle with the updated presentation, the enhancements generally add to the film's engulfing atmosphere, making it easier to appreciate Cameron's ambitious vision.
In conclusion, The Abyss is one of James Cameron's finest films - often under-appreciated coming in the wake of his stunning The Terminator and tremendous Alien sequel, Aliens, and further undone somewhat by its ultimately all-consuming sci-fi fantasy bent which required a hell of a leap of faith from its audience, but it's a grand epic nevertheless, and a contender for one of the greatest underwater spectacles of all time. For fans who can overlook minor technical liberties taken in the remastering process, revisiting this 35-year-old classic in glorious new 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos promises to be a tremendously enjoyable experience that finally does justice to its enduring legacy.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 80
Thankfully the fact 4K isn't region locked, and the ease of importing, leave this a less painful scenario but there's still some irony that one of the most anticipated 4K - and Blu-ray - releases of all...
Audio: 90
Effects are myriad, affording authenticity to every nuance, right from that tense opening disaster sequence (nods to Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1) to the build-up of pressure during a hull...
Extras: 80
The Abyss's US 4K disc includes only the most important extra feature - the superior, half-hour longer Special Edition Version, also in 4K with Atmos - with all of the remaining extras (along with a 1080p...
Movie: 90
The Abyss has wide-eyed wonder on its mind, and, after 35 years, it's hard to see it being this memorable any other way Back in the days when Cameron was still more than capable of painting involving characters...
Total: 90
Stripping all of that noise away though (somewhat literally), and, in the comfort of your own home, you're likely to find revisiting this 35 year old classic a tremendously enjoyable experience in glorious...
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
This presentation may indeed strike some as a potent example of Cameron's "revisionism", but divorced from that context, I found it rather beautifully detailed throughout for the most part, and the 4K...
Audio: 90
Water effects are of course a near constant, especially in the second half of the film, and swirling sonic activity is a regular presence in the surround channels....
Extras: 100
The NTI Ark Chapter 24: Editing, Sound, and Music Chapter 25: Publicity/Advertising/Marketing Chapter 26: The Restoration Chapter 27: Closing Commentary Chapter 28: Acknowledgments and Credits Additionally,...
Movie: 80
As a subcategory of that particular tendency, Cameron's "revisionism" isn't necessarily relegated to things like (to cite just one broad example not necessarily pertaining to this release) appearance changes...
Total: 100
The interesting thing about the two versions of The Abyss is that the Special Edition adds considerable length to an already lengthy viewing experience, but I'd argue actually does what it sets out to...
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Considering Abyss never left DVD, it’s a significant jump, although that’s the absolute minimum expected considering the gap in formats....
Audio: 80
Water swirls around the characters all the time, and even the smallest sound takes position, like someone fiddling with a dial or switch off to the left/right of the soundstage....
Extras: 80
From there, the other bonuses come from the earlier DVD release, including the wonderful hour-long making-of, followed by an archive loaded with goodies....
Movie: 80
It plays out as expected, where the two begin the film bitter and separated, but by the end, realize what they’ll lose when the other isn’t there anymore....
Total: 80
The Abyss has a frantic, breathless pace that places its characters amid otherworldly and Cold War terrors....
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 100
Like True Lies, fans of The Abyss have been clamoring for something better than the non-anamorphic DVD released in 2000, and that was nothing more than a port of the same 1992 transfer created for Laserdisc,...
Audio: 100
Default audio on the UHD disc is a Dolby Atmos mix (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) for both cuts that sounds phenomenal, with a slightly wider dynamic range and better fidelity than the lossy Atmos track...
Extras: 80
The Restoration Chapter 27: Closing Commentary Chapter 28: Acknowledgements and Credits Digital Copy: A Movies Anywhere code is included to redeem a digital copy of the film in 4K and earn reward points...
Movie: 80
Up on the surface, a hurricane is about to wreak havoc while tensions between the US and Russia are at an all-time high, with the US suspecting it was the Russians who attacked the submarine, and when...
Total: 90
After decades of starts and stops, The Abyss has finally arrived on both HD and UHD physical media, and has never looked or sounded better, and seems to be the only assured way of having both cuts of the...
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
The color palette remains faithful to it’s original release, but also richer, deeper and more lifelike than ever beforeFlesh Tones: Skin tone throughout looks right on the mark....
Audio: 100
Extras: 100
Legacy of The Abyss (24:39, HD) – Cast, crew and producers highlight the lasting legacy of the underrated film, in interviews collected over 10 years....
Movie: 100
The group soon finds themselves on a spectacular life-and-death odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, where they find a mysterious force that could either change the world — or destroy it....
Total: 100
There may be some complaints about grain reduction or sharpening tools used to AI the grit out of the look of the film, but you won’t hear that complaint for me....
Director: James Cameron
Actors: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
PlotIn the midst of the Cold War, an American nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks near the Cayman Trough, one of the deepest parts of the ocean. In response, a civilian oil rig crew led by Virgil "Bud" Brigman is recruited by the Navy to assist in the rescue operation. Accompanied by Navy SEALs and Bud's estranged wife, Lindsey, a project engineer who designed the rig, the team descends into the depths aboard the undersea platform. Plagued by logistical and personal tensions, the group faces the daunting task of reaching the sunken submarine and searching for survivors, all while grappling with the unpredictable dangers of the deep sea.
As the team ventures further into the abyss, they encounter mysterious phenomena that challenge their understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants. Tensions reach a breaking point when the Navy SEALs' covert agenda surfaces, threatening not only the mission but also the crew's safety. Amidst the mounting crisis, the crew discovers an astonishing secret hidden in the depths, a discovery that could alter their mission and their lives forever. As they navigate through the challenges, their journey becomes not just a rescue mission, but also a profound exploration of the unknown and a test of human endurance and spirit.
Writers: James Cameron
Release Date: 09 Aug 1989
Runtime: 140 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English