“The Abyss”
PG-13 for one brief scene of nonsexual nudity, some profanity, scary fighting and sci-fi moments. Best suited for families watching with kids 10 or older. It’s an adult movie that works for tweens and teens.
Sure, the snow’s great this year, and there’s still plenty of skiing time left before we allow ourselves to think seriously about spring. But February, after the Super Bowl, is cabin-fever month. I need more escapism in my movies this time of year, especially in a film’s atmospherics. Give me beaches and waves, sunny meadows or people diving into warm water.
Egomaniacal director James Cameron’s sci-fi classic “The Abyss” will fit your family’s escapism needs. The singleminded Cameron spared no expense in creating a believable underwater world. The script gives all those special effects something to cling to, posing an alien presence on Earth but deep underwater.
As the movie opens, U.S. forces have lost a nuclear submarine to an accident. The deep- water rescue is best carried out by an experimental oil-drilling outfit set up on the bottom of the ocean. An appropriately salty Ed Harris runs the rig. Of course the scientist sent down from above to help out the Navy rescuers is none other than his cranky ex-wife, played by the alluring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
The Navy SEALS are secretive and up to something no good. Meanwhile, those aliens down below keep popping up. And the team experiments with a startling breathing technique that involves near-drowning. The tension you see was real on the set — Cameron is notorious for driving his actors and crews to rebellion. For this movie, he created a whole set underwater at an uncompleted nuclear power plant, and demanded grueling diving time from his cast.
“The Abyss” can be found in a director’s cut with restored special effects. Either version is enjoyable. Any objectionable content for your younger children is based on mood — “The Abyss” does have its scary moments, and the threats are palpable.
Michael Booth: 303-954-1686 or mbooth@denverpost.com
