Customer Reviews

Ghosts of the Abyss

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In Ghosts of the Abyss, James Cameron returns to the watery grave of the Titanic in an effort to let the ill-fated ship tell the story of her own demise. Equipped with space age technology and twin little exploratory robots designed specifically for exploring the Titanic, Cameron and his team manage to take us into rooms unseen by human eye since April 1912. Not only do you get the theatrical version of this documentary film (albeit without the 3-D experience offered by IMAX), you also get an extended version featuring an extra half hour of material. Most people would just watch the extended version, but I wanted to get a feel for the difference the extra footage makes, so I watched both versions back to back. I was actually rather amazed to discover that the extended version is ten times better than the original - basically, all of the best material was left out of the theatrical release.

I have to admit I found Bill Paxton, the de facto narrator of the film, rather annoying at times. As he freely admits, he isn't really qualified for this type of deep-sea mission, and his giddiness and nervous humor tend to grow old pretty quickly. Like most people, I just wanted to see footage of the wreckage, not a chronicling of Paxton's anxiety over traveling to the ocean floor. I did enjoy the glimpses provided of the other crew members on the expedition, however - they are an interesting assortment of scientists, filmmakers, historians, and Russian seamen.

Ghosts of the Abyss does succeed in showing Titanic in all of her mysterious glory, and the underwater footage makes this film well worth watching. The footage obtained from the two submersible vessels floating around and above the ship is breathtaking, but the true magic happens when two specially-designed robots, Jake and Elroy, are guided (remotely) down into the ship herself. The bots move in and out of individual rooms, giving us glimpses of Colonel Smith's bathtub, ornate windows (still intact) from the main dining room, personal effects of passengers still lying where their owners left them, etc. This allows the filmmakers to further personalize the visual experience. For the first time, we are able to move down into the bowels of the ship herself and see, for example, the area where the firemen lived, worked, and died. The best footage of all can be found only in the extended version - only here, for example, can you travel down into the steerage section of the ship for the very first time. I was very surprised to see that this important and unprecedented footage was cut out of the theatrical release. If you're like me, you are also are curious about the animals you know must be calling the Titanic home, but only in the extended version will you find any footage of these mysterious, ocean-bottom dwellers.

Cameron makes extensive use of CGI in order to show the audience what we are actually looking at. You'll be watching the video footage of a certain location, and then the filmmakers will overlay pictures showing how the room would have looked back in 1912, and many times transparent, ghostly images are also overlaid over the footage. The intention is to really bring the past alive. It works to some degree, but some may see it as overdramatization. Of course, the bots steal the show. Jake and Elwood are fascinating little gizmos that become our eyes and show us the wreckage of the Titanic as we have never seen it before. One of them adds additional drama to the story by malfunctioning; the rescue mission is really the most exciting aspect of the entire film.

A second disc contains some 50 minutes of interviews and additional footage, most of which is quite interesting. I was very glad to see a feature on the "cowboys" who go out to hook the resurfaced submersibles to the surface vessel; seeing these guys work in turbulent seas is just incredible. You also get to watch a few minutes of one dive's footage from your choice of six different camera angles - you can switch back and forth between views from the submersibles, Jake and Elwood, and the submersible cabin views. All in all, this is a great DVD package, but it is not perfect. I think all of us would like to have seen more of the actual footage and a good deal less of Bill Paxton, but there is no denying the fact that Ghosts of the Abyss offers viewers the most eye-opening tour available of the proud wreckage of the Titanic.

Walt Disney Pictures in association with Walden Media have announced the Region 1 DVD release of Ghosts of the Abyss for 27th April 2004 with a retail price of $29.99. This cinematic experience premiered on the large screen Theatrical IMAX format and is the quest by director James Cameron to go back to the resting ground of the actual Titanic equipped with state of the art technology with a team of top underwater explorers and filmmakers. Actor Bill Paxton also accompanies Cameron on this astonishing underwater voyage.

On 2-disc DVD Ghosts of the Abyss includes both the 60 minute Theatrical version of the film and a 90 minute extended version showcasing unseen footage, especially made for this home entertainment release. The second disc is entirely devoted to bonus materials.

Disc One:
Original Theatrical Version: (60:44 minutes)
Extended Version with Unseen Footage (91:44 minutes)
1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
THX-certified Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Disc Two:
"Reflections From The Deep" - Look back on the challenges of creating this groundbreaking cinematic experience. Includes unseen footage from their risky dives to the ocean floor and revealing interviews with Director James Cameron, star Bill Paxton, and the entire crew.
"The ROV Experience" - An innovative multi-angle feature. Choose from different cameras as you dive to the floor of the ocean's floor, and ultimately see the grand staircase any way you want.

Ghosts of the Abyss is a documentary filmed in 3D for IMAX theaters. It takes you down to the actual Titanic site at the bottom of the ocean. It was done by James Cameron, who directed the Titanic movie, but this is pure exploration. They take you to the rooms and places and show you glimpses of the people who were there. The 3D is really what makes it. You feel like you are there. I really liked the way they would merge computer animation with the image to give you an idea of what it used to look like that enables you to really see and appreciate what it looks like now. If you're into the history of the ship, be sure to check it out.

Being my first time watching a movie in IMAX format, I was truly blown away from beginning to end with this movie. While watching Cameron's masterpiece "Titanic" was chilling from the beginning to the end, his work on "Ghosts of the Abyss" was all that and a little more. Being an avid Titanic buff now for over 15 years, it was wonderful to finally see even more of the beautiful "Wonder Ship" that has enthralled generations for over 90 years. Anyone else will be hard-pressed to get this deep into the ship and out-do Cameron and his work, considering the rapid deterioration of the vessel. We will never again get the opportunity to see into this Edwardian time capsule the same way again, and we have James Cameron to thank for this awe-inspiring ride.

This documentary was exactly what I was looking for: Going back inside the Titanic, deeper and farther than anyone else has ever been before. Anyone expecting another movie about the ill fated ocean liner will be disappointed; this is a Discover Channel-ish documentary. But if you're looking for some new shots and recent infromation about this ship, this is your DVD.

James Cameron, along with author Charles Pellegrino, and actor Bill Paxton take viewers back two miles beneath the North Atlantic to the Titanic's resting place. You'll see woodwork, previously assumed to be lost forever; beautiful lead glass windows, still intact; the staterooms of Molly Brown, Bruce Ismay, and Captain Smith; various cargo holds; as well as previously unexplored regions in the 3th Class areas of the ship. I especially liked when Cameron would frame indistinguishable areas of the ship with how they looked on Titanic's maiden voyage.

If you are into undersea exploration and archeaology, or are a Titanic buff, this is definitely worth looking into. Also check out Charles Pellegrino's book, "Ghosts of the Titanic," for other details the movie wasn't able to cover. Highly recommended!

Ghosts of the Abyss.

I caught this last weekend on DVD. This film is a curious mix of entertainment and science. In some cases it works, in others it doesn't.

First, what works: The Titanic. Going and exploring the innards of the great doomed liner. Great premise, especially considering that the level of exploration would be the most indepth ever. Letting the ship tell its story with minimal interference is essentual.

The crew as the explore in the MIRs is also good.

The overlaying CG to orientate where you were in the ship was a nice touch in the unrecognizable areas.

What doesn't work: Bill Paxton. Now, don't get me wrong as an actor I did like Bill Paxton. As a observer and narrator his bits about bathroom breaks in a sub, the nervous fussy demeanor and finally musing about going to his trailor - just one word. UGH. I know Jim Cameron is buddies with Bill but c'mon. Paxton totally took me out of the Titanic and made me focus on him. I'm sure it was unintended, but its an annoyance.

Getting in the way of the Titanic story. The long pieces with the crew above the ocean. I would've much rather seen more Titanic and less crew.

Feeling genuine. Paxton's stuff is absolutely scripted. That works against the realism of this piece in general. The beauty of Dr. Robert Ballard's National Geographic piece about the Titanic is that was very very honest. It was human. Cameron's piece while having touches of honesty, has elements of scriptedness. Which doesn't play well with me. This shouldn't be a piece of fiction, let the real people speak.

In the end, I can't say I loved this. I didn't. Much like Cameron reducing the real story of the Titanic to a background story in his 1997 film. He just clutters up the presentation with things he shouldn't. I love the Titanic story. Its an essentual life lesson and will continue to teach people as long as its told. I wish Jim Cameron had gotten more out of the way and let the ship be the star.

So, rent this. Then buy Dr. Robert Ballard's National Geographic special. Its far better.

Director James Cameron does everything on a mammoth scale. After viewing this DVD, I wish I had seen the 3-D version. This is an exhaustive search of the remains of the Titanic. The inner portions of the ship are explored with two mini robots and the two submersibles with the director, actor Bill Paxton and the crew members aboard. This is at over 2.5 miles deep. Paxton adds some human humor/drama with the crew, but the real star is the ship. Starting from the stormy surface waters to the calm, eerie depths of the North Atlantic, Cameron leaves nothing out. There are still glasses and plates peacefully resting where they were left on that fateful night. Brass beds lay intact. Particular rooms of celebrity passengers are found with items left as they were. This is miraculous, as the ship spun wildly around in its' decent, spewing debris everywhere. Stained glass is still intact everywhere and the robot lights cast magical colors and shadows throughout. Cameron puts everything in perspective by frequently superimposing transparent actors dressed in period clothes strolling the deck. These "ghosts" add true scale to the Titanic.

The 90-minute version adds more information about the sea-life existing around the Titanic with comments from Dr. Lori Johnston. More of the Captain's personal life is explored as well as life aboard the state of the art research vessel. The `making of' feature, "Reflections of the Deep" is interesting and includes some more information, but not a great deal more insight. "The ROV Experience" is more for the technically minded, but fun to experience. For extras, not much beats this collection, but glorious excess is what James Cameron is all about and he does justice to the Titanic.

Footnote: Towards the completion of the exploration, the crew heard about the attacks of 9/11. This was an all too eerie coincidence considering the massive tragedy of the Titanic that had been waiting decades to be explored.

James Cameron hasn't made a movie since 'Titanic'. His critics have argued that since he won the oscar, he was too frightened to step behind the megaphone again - scared that he couldn't top the success of that movie. Well, the critics better start eating humble pie because his long awaited new production is bigger, better and a giant leap in the way that all of his movies have been technically on-the-button and visually amazing.

Historically, Jim Cameron movies are big. From the very nature of the stories, the budget and the talent involved in his past productions, his films have always been larger than life. However, none have been as breathtaking as this. From the opening shots of the scientific research vessel powering through the sea to the dark and gloomy abyss of that famous ghostship, Cameron takes you on a journey of discovery, sadness and wonder. The doucmentary (if I can use that phrase, as the expert cutting and general feel of the piece likens this to a big summer action flick) tells the story of Cameron's obvious obsession with the famous sinking of the Titanic. With state-of-the-art technology at his fingertips, he allows us to accompany him as he journeys to the site of the ship, discovering its secrets, and justifying myths and stories.

The 3D camerawork is fantastic. You actually feel that you are part of the action. From the soft bubbles of the ocean roaming around in front of you, to the gentle rocking of the sea giving you that 'rocking' feeling. The score and beautiful visuals are comforting, with a great symmetry running throughout the picture. For example: when we are on the surface, preparing for the dives, it feels like a muscular action movie (very reminiscant of 'The Abyss' if you will), with scientists scrabbling around and people pysching themselves up for the discovery ahead. But, when we are below, the picture becomes serene and beautiful, very human. Actually, just like any other Jim Cameron movie - as he has that great ability to combine a very strong masculine fascination regarding technology with an excellent understanding of humanity.

Bill Paxton is great too. Once you get past him saying 'Wow!' all the time (and lets face it, who can blame him?), he is very warm and you genuinely feel for him in the sequence when he dives for the first time, as his anxieties about the submersible failing are funny and touching. The sequence when he informs Cameron about the September 11 tragedy seems to resonate throughout the films core, cementing the ideals of the project. The scientists and crew reflect on the events (then and now) and this presents the audience with equal feelings of sorrow and sadness.

Summing up, at only 60 minutes long this movie succeeds to envelope you in a dark yet beautiful journey to the most famous ghostship in the world. Catch it a movie theatre projecting in 3D if you can, it truly is an amazing ride. I can only image what Jim Cameron has in store for us next . . .

Although IMAX movies are traditionally a few dollars more than a regular movie, this one is worth every penny. I was a bit leery of seeing this movie in 3-D as I have not had great experiences with 3-D IMAX movies in the past (a movie about flying had me running for the restroom), but aside from a few opening scenes at the actual launch of the submersible, I completely forgot that I was watching a 3-D movie. Having been a Titanic buff since it was found on the ocean floor, I must admit that this is one of the better "documentaries" I have seen on the actual wreakage. Other documentaries show some beautiful shots of the ship, but none help identify the different sections, who was there, what it looked like in it's glory and so on. The way that James Cameron and his crew cut in actual photos overlaying the wreck and animated different scenes had an amazing, ghostly effect that brought the beautiful ship to life, if only for a brief moment.

If you loved the movie, I would also recommend the book, as it recaptures some of the key points in the film, as well as affords some extra commentary by some of the greatest Titanic historians and experts in the world.

I hope that James Cameron will consider releasing this film on DVD eventually (not sure how 3-D will work on regular film, but I'm sure it will still be amazing) and even include some of the extra footage that was cut out of the film. If you are at all interested in the Titanic, you MUST see this movie!

I saw this movie in 3D at an IMAX theater and was completely amazed. The story of Titanic is a fascinating and very sad one. This movie shows the Titanic laying beneath the ocean. It is truly an amazing site.

James Cameron does an excellent job here. They go down in a submarine and go around looking at the different parts of the ship. During this, they are imagining what it must have been like at these certain parts and it shows scenes of "ghosts" of the people on the ship.

It is very emotional and really has you thinking after the movie is over.