Ghosts of the Abyss (2003) 3D Blu-ray

Walt Disney Pictures | Buena Vista Pictures
Original Release: March 31, 2003
Home 3D Blu-ray Release: September 11, 2012
Directed by James Cameron
Rated G
Review by Rob Grabowski

For the first time on Disney Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray 2D, see the real story behind Titanic and watch this groundbreaking cinematic achievement in a beautiful new digital restoration!

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.

Ghosts of the Abyss is a truly fascinating look at the Titanic and where it has rested at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean on that fateful night after hitting an iceberg 100 years ago. Cameron’s documentary was filmed back on 2001 and is a perfect follow up to his 1997 movie Titanic. With two submarines, Cameron takes actor Bill Paxton 12,000 miles underwater to explore the Titanic where it lays. The nervousness on Bill Paxton’s face as they descend adds to the excitement and emotion as they bring the audience on this journey to witness one of the biggest catastrophes in history. There are two little robots with cameras that brings the viewers inside to further see Titanic up close. The robots actually encounter a problem that leads to a rescue mission, and while I’m sure Cameron didn’t plan for it to happen, it makes an excellent back story and keeps the documentary energized. There are scenes where as we are seeing spaces on the ship there are actors imposed over the wreckage and shows how they would have been during the voyage.

Since this was filmed back in 2001 they were at sea when the 911 terrorists attacks happened and first learn about them at sea and it adds to the emotion of another fateful moment in history.

The 3D Blu-ray format is really something to see. The depth of the ocean against the ship adds a dimension that just can’t be appreciated in the standard 2D version. While there are only a handful of scenes that makes the 3D add to the experience, I found it to be more satisfying than the 2D version. I would highly recommend watching the 3D version. The 2D version does have an extended cut, which is 30 minutes longer.

If you are a history fan and are as fascinated with the story of the Titanic, this is a must own 3D Blu-ray. Ghosts of the Abyss can be enjoyed by the whole family and will have you imagining what it must have been like to be on the Titanic when it hit the iceberg that would seal its fate. Be sure to get the 3D version as it also comes with the standard version and plenty of bonus material.

Disc 1:

• Ghosts of the Abyss 3D Blu-ray (Theatrical version only)

Disc 2:

• Ghosts of the Abyss 2D Blu-ray (Theatrical and extended versions)


• Reflections from the deep:
  
  
  
  • Echoes in Time – 4 minutes
  
  
  • Paxton under pressure – 5 minutes
  
  
  • Zodiac cowboys – 4 minutes
  
  
  • The Saga of Jake & Elwood – 6 minutes
  
  
  • The Unthinkable – 3 minutes
  
  
  • Keldysh home videos – 5 minutes
  
  
  • The cheese sandwich prank – 2 minutes
  
  
  
  

Disc 3:

• Bonus DVD