MovieChat Forums > The Abyss (1989) Discussion > This movie is so..... boring?

This movie is so..... boring?

posted 13 years ago by TheSelfProclaimedNerd
100 replies | jump to latest

I got a DVD with both the Special edition and the original version of this film. I had never seen it before, so I decided to watch the theatrical version first.
I am currently 82 minutes into this 137 minute film.
I AM SO BORED!!!!!!!!

I know that some people love this film, but at the moment, I truly can't see why. Typically, I don't walk out in the middle of a movie, but this is really pushing it.

I can't imagine sitting through a 170 minute cut of this film!!

Edit 02/03/2016-
It has been five years since I posted this, and for some reason, of all the asinine BS I posted to this account when I was 16, this post continues to garner attention. I am far more well versed when it comes to movies than I was five years ago, and I suspect that I will have a lot more to say about this movie now than I did then.

I will be re-watching The Abyss this weekend. I intend to finish it this time, and will update this post with my thoughts.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] TheSelfProclaimedNerd 13 years ago

Typing this on an iPhone, so sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes.

True, I mainly follow the message board on th upcoming superman film haha.
That's still not a good indication of the types of films I like.
I'm actually a film student, and enjoy films from a variety of genres. Sure, superman: the movie 1979 is one of my faves, it isn't the only thing I like. I enjoy camerons other films, I love speilburg and Kubrick. I even love a lot of older black and white flicks. Casablanca is pretty much my favorite film ATM. I recently watched apocalypse now, which I liked because it disturbed me so deeply haha.

The reason I commented, is because I was so surprised at the abyss. Everybody said it was great, but I really wasn't enjoying it. Idk, maybe my opinion will change when I get a chance to Finnish it. Or maybe tjust isn't my movie.
Aah well, whatever happens happens. But no, I'm not part of the transformers 2 crowd haha.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] TheSelfProclaimedNerd 13 years ago

Yeah, idk, it was probably the setting. Cause I do like other sci-fis.

Lois and Clark is on netflix instant streaming if you're interested. It actually wasn't half bad. Superman Returns....... don't even get me started haha.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] TheSelfProclaimedNerd 13 years ago

Aah, no netflix in Australia. Pitt, but I'm sure you'll cope haha.
I can't suggest that you run out and buy it, but it is good for a rainy day :)

[–] richnieh 12 years ago

Are you one of the administrator? How come all the comments replied to your comments is deleted. I cannot really follow this thread if they keep doing that.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] borislav_mitev 13 years ago

You love Spielberg??? Well I think he is overrated. He over-dramatize his movies to the point that they become obnoxious. I used to love his movies when I was a kid and teenager but know I am an adult and I can barely stand them.

[–] TheSelfProclaimedNerd 13 years ago

I do find some of his stuff to be like that. I still however think that most of his films are solid-above average.

Edit 03/02/2016-
"Solid-above average?" No. Spielberg is the perhaps greatest filmmaker of our generation. Even his bad movies have a lot to appreciate and are worthy of in-depth examination.

[–] tag1981 12 years ago

Saving Private Ryan was so over-dramatized that it became obnoxious? WTF?

[–] shadypotential 11 years ago

overrated? ET, Close ENcounters, Munich, schindler's list, Color Purple, Raiders, Jurassic Park. The man is the most versatile director of all time. how can he be overrated? the man has some of the greatest movies made under his best and 4 films on the AFI list

[–] ethermusic1981 10 years ago

overrated? ET, Close ENcounters, Munich, schindler's list, Color Purple, Raiders, Jurassic Park. The man is the most versatile director of all time. how can he be overrated? the man has some of the greatest movies made under his best and 4 films on the AFI list

Relax, he can have a different opinion than you.

[–] shadypotential 10 years ago

relax, stop defending a stranger

[–] ethermusic1981 10 years ago

Oh don't worry about me, kid, I'm very relaxed. ;)

[–] kimasabe90035-1 12 years ago

The movie does seem very … long.

However, The Abyss does explain Cameron's fascination with deep ocean exploration.

http://www.facebook.com/kim.walling

[–] Rena_Mahone 8 years ago

I love speilburg

LMAO.

🐺 Boycott movies that involve real animal violence (& their directors) 🐾

[–] tilj 13 years ago

This film, like all of James Cameron's films, requires a brain for you to see it. It's fine if you found it boring, but maybe sci-fi isn't your cup of tea then...?

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Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton are the best sci-fi heroines.

[–] darkstorm97 13 years ago

It's one of those films that you have to immurse yourself in. I personally dig the characters so much that the story is almost secondary.

Come with me if you want to live.

[–] Dubz1300 13 years ago

not all james cameron films require a brain there, buddy...just look at titanic and avatar...all style, and no substance..

the abyss is back when cameron made REAL films...aliens, terminator 1&2, and even true lies was a great action hoot..but alas, that james cameron is no more..he sold out and makes stupid hollywood fluff that looks pretty and loaded with overdone cgi..

come back to us cameron and make another abyss..

[–] tilj 13 years ago

not all james cameron films require a brain there, buddy...just look at titanic and avatar...all style, and no substance..
Yet this statement is a strong case of self-contradiction. Only a brainless person puts the abovementioned films as "style but no substance".

=======
Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton are the best sci-fi heroines.

[–] j-c-s-f-akkerman 13 years ago

well consider me brainless then, because avatar was a bitter, bitter disappointment. characters I couldn't care less about.
Abyss however was brilliant, engaging and pulled the old heartstrings.

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 10 years ago

Well, the thing is, what Avatar has completely revolutionized is that the style not only keeps audiences compelled in the stories... no matter what the story may be (Wolf of Wall Street or Pocahontas in Space)... it can also keep audiences compelled to watch any kind of character (from someone evil like Alex DeLarge to the most lifeless, dull character ever put on film like Jake Sully as a human or his much more entertaining Na'vi counterpart).

[–] WallaceHasLanded 9 years ago

well consider me brainless then, because avatar was a bitter, bitter disappointment. characters I couldn't care less about.
Abyss however was brilliant, engaging and pulled the old heartstrings.

Absolutely agree!! Avatar is one of the most overrated regurgitated pieces of trash Ive ever seen. The Abyss is fantastic!

[–] ziaulh 12 years ago

Avatar requires no brain? Hahahaha! Perhaps you got no brain!

Real-Eyes Realize Real-lies

[–] nizzemancer-265-952005 11 years ago

It's pocahontas in space/other planet, a 5 year old could write something more complicated than that overhyped drivel. The only reason it sold so well is because people are sheep with more money than common sense.
And as for your claim that you need to have a brain to watch James Camerons movies; well you're disproving that statement quite well yourself, being a fanboy does not mean that you're smart.

A lot of his movies are great but a lot of them are also overhyped excuses to rake in cash from a mob of zombies such as yourself, The Abyss was great, but get real, he (James Cameron) doesn't by any means have a perfect track record.

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 10 years ago

The fact that a movie like Avatar can become that successful requires a little more analysis than none at all. The fact that Cameron can so successfully erase the thought in the minds of so many people that they are watching Pocahontas in Space shows how fcking great he is as a visual storyteller. And incidentally, they once called Star Wars mindless fun for children.

[–] Nizzemancer-1 10 years ago

No all it requires is hype and a *beep* of people unable to see past a coat of paint.

Light travels faster than sound,
that's why people seem bright,
until you hear them.

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 10 years ago

OK. STFU if you're not going to show proper respect for film on film-fan forum.

[–] Nizzemancer-1 10 years ago

Respect is earned not given.

Oh and it's not a film-fan forum, it's a discussion forum, check the terms of use, there are no rules about having to be a fan of a movie or actor etc. to post.

Light travels faster than sound,
that's why people seem bright,
until you hear them.

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 9 years ago

You suck pukelovesfilm28.

"If this is torture, chain me to the wall"-Oliver and Company

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] Theoden_of_ODU 13 years ago

This film, like all of James Cameron's films, requires a brain for you to see it.

Yeah, it was really necessary for Piranha II, True Lies and Titanic. And Avatar for that matter.

What are you talking about? Brain?

"You've shown your quality sir. The very highest."

[–] torukmakto4 13 years ago

Yeah, it was really necessary for Piranha II

Piranha II was NOT a Cameron film. He got in about 5 minutes of directing before he was fired because he insisted on doing something/anything to salvage or mitigate the infamous train wreck this film was.

True Lies

True Lies is the singular exception to the rule of Cameron's films having significant depth because it is an action comedy. Then again, it does require that the viewer be smart enough to understand it to be an action comedy. Far too many threads have been created to bash the "stereotypical" terrorist villains and "cliche" protagonists which were, of course, intended as such for comedic effect, maybe to poke fun at the action film genre. How hard is that to understand?

and Titanic. And Avatar for that matter.

Titanic and Avatar are serious dramas and cannot be viewed superficially. Again, there are far too many anti-film threads about these pieces based on simplistic action-film-style approaches to plot structure that ignore subtexts, characters, emotional meanings and messages. Those might work on Transformers, but they inevitably ignore all that these films mean to say. Even Aliens falls into this class in some cases.

------------------
I am Eywa's Avenger.
Avatar: 40 | Aliens: Not that many, but quite a few

[–] mandrakeroot 13 years ago

Avatar may not be that narratively complex but it still offers to think about. It has many great concepts and themes, and it raises many great questions that should be discussed. Also has a lot of interesting science behind it that one could dig into if inclined.

The Abyss also has all of the above features, and while not visually as exciting (it still is, don't get me wrong), it has the edge in excellent characters and a little more depth plot wise. The waycit blends action, drama, sci-fi, character film, FX, and humor so flawlessly it s easily one of the best films ever.

[–] ffwakka 13 years ago

I actually agree with the first posters statement. This movie was so boring!
Probably just not my movie. I usually loves Sci-fi - watched Blade Runner yesterday and are about to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. But i must admit i almost fell asleep watching The Abyss. It is just so slow pacing (and he didn't succeed in building tension). This film like most of James Cameron's films require no brain to see because of the simple plots.

[–] tilj 13 years ago

This film like most of James Cameron's films require no brain to see because of the simple plots.
This is false. You obviously do not understand what a thinking man's film is. With the exception of True Lies every single one of Cameron's films is indeed a thinking man's film. Just because you don't realize that, well, then you're at fault, not the film. It's really that simple.

=======
Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton are the best sci-fi heroines.

[–] Jakksid 11 years ago

Avatar? A 'thinking man's film'? ...You're going to need to see more films, buddy. It was a glorified cartoon with the most simplistic plot possible.

[–] rob1970 11 years ago

I've always loved this movie, but tonight I watched it with my two sons for the first time (aged 13 & 14). Being teenagers they, shall we say, don't have the world's longest attention span, and they were glued to it all the way through... result!

Lando Calrissian to Nien Nunb "That was too cloose!"

[–] PepitoBenito 11 years ago

This film, like all of James Cameron's films, requires a brain for you to see it. It's fine if you found it boring, but maybe sci-fi isn't your cup of tea then...?

Whoa hey there. I'm definitely also a huge fan of Cameron's older works, but let's not forget he made Avatar too. Your brain can take a 3 hour vacation and you won't miss a beat during that movie.

[–] barrin21 11 years ago

This comment really makes you look like a pretentious douchenozzle. This film was not hard to understand.

[–] Jose_Accent_On_E 10 years ago

This comment really makes you look like a pretentious douchenozzle

How bad could it be to be one of these?

[–] gabdoidao911 9 years ago

calling him brainless because he found a movie boring.. you must a fine specimen yourself.. this movie is indeed dull and many of the scenes are unnecessary.

[–] artao 13 years ago

The Abyss, BORING???? wow, i ... i ... wow
i've seen other movies called boring, and can maybe see it (Metropolis most recently) but The Abyss?? REALLY?
I'm just flabbergasted and astounded by that. wow. clearly not your type of movie then i guess ...
.... boring ...
... wow ...
.. if you think so, you think so ...

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[–] smoko 13 years ago

I was bored with the movie too, and actually stopped watching. However, there are other movies that I came back to years later and loved (eg. 2001), so maybe you should try it again a year from now and see what happens. I trust JC's judgement enough from his other work that I'm willing to give The Abyss another go one day.

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[–] TheSelfProclaimedNerd 13 years ago

To me, the godfather is a tricky one. It is long and slow, but it has moments of pure awesomeness sprinkled throughout the film. AWESOME.

Edit 02/03/2016:
Goddammit. I sounded so *beep* stupid in when I was sixteen.

[–] bagzzp 13 years ago

"I actually agree with the first posters statement. This movie was so boring!
Probably just not my movie. I usually loves Sci-fi - watched Blade Runner yesterday and are about to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. But i must admit i almost fell asleep watching The Abyss. It is just so slow pacing (and he didn't succeed in building tension). This film like most of James Cameron's films require no brain to see because of the simple plots."

If you thought The Abyss was slow you gonna be in real trouble when you sit down to watch 2001:A space Odyssey.

Life is too short for us to love.Where do we find the time to hate.

[–] Zvoni 13 years ago

Aliens was bit of boring
Abyss is great

[–] rabksaj 13 years ago

The film has aged thats why its boring for you. At the time when it was released 22 years ago it was a popular blockbuster. People really liked it.