Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: James Cameron, Bill Paxton
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: Walt Disney Video
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Running Time: 60 / 90 minutes
3D Theatrical Edition: 4 out of 5 stars
Extended Edition: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of of 5 stars
After being on a withdrawal from “Titanic”, I remember running out to see “Ghosts of the Abyss” in IMAX 3D. This was before 3D was in regular theatres, IMAX was the only way without red and blue glasses to see a film in the third dimension. The documentary follows director James Cameron and actor Bill Paxton, director from 1997 film “Titanic” as they travel to the final undersea resting place of the fated ship of dreams. The film itself is very interesting and gives some really great footage of the sunken beauty.
This release looks absolutely fantastic on 3D Blu-ray. Obviously the 3D looks far better then it did in theatres almost 10 years ago. The depth on the effects are very intense and really takes you exploring through the remains of the ship. Besides the 3D disc, this three-disc combo pack also comes with a Blu-ray (2D) of the film and also a DVD copy. The 3D disc presents the theatrical cut of the film, which runs 60 minutes. Though there is the extended edition of this film, which is located on the 2D Blu-ray and it runs 90 minutes. I enjoy the 3D tighter version a lot more, especially since the film was made to be watched in 3D.
The 1080p video resolution is overall very impressive and even though the film takes us to a dark park of the ocean, it is still sharp and bright. The film is also presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The audio on this is also very impressive with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The score takes advance of this feature the most. The special features on the release are disappointing though if you don’t count the extended edition as an extras (which I don’t). The first extra is called “Reflections From the Deep”, runs 30 minutes, and is a 6-part feature with James Cameron, Bill Paxton, and other crew chatting about shooting the film and the CH work that went into the project. The only other extra is called “The Cheese Sandwich Prank”, which is a very short clip of more unseen footage from the expedition.
Premise: Academy Award-winning Director and master storyteller, James Cameron journey’s back to the site of his greatest inspiration – the legendary wreck of the titanic. With a team of the world’s foremost historic and marine experts and friend Bill Paxton, he embarks on an unscripted adventure back to the final grave where nearly 1,500 souls lost their lives almost a century ago. Using state-of-the-art technology developed expressly for this expedition, Cameron and his crew are able to explore virtually all of the wreckage, inside and out, as never-before. With the most advanced 3D photography, moviegoers will experience the ship as if they are part of crew, right inside the dive subs. In this unprecedented motion picture event, made especially for IMAX 3D theatres and specially outfitted 35MM 3D theaters across the country, Cameron and his team bring audiences to sights not seen since the sinking 90 years ago and explore why the landmark vessel – more than any shipwreck – continues to intrigue and fascinate the public.