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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.
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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.Best Deals for Ghosts of the Abyss 3D (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD)
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.
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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.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Ghosts of the Abyss 3D (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD)
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!
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