Abyss, The: Special Edition (Australia)

After reading about region 4 discs on this web site, I decided to order one and this title is my first. It`s got a great video transfer except that it is not an anamorphic picture. This is a really big shame because you`ll never quite get the full scale of the film. It`s one of the first discs which includes seamless branching. Now I had a problem with my Samsung 709 watching the special edition version but it was perfect watching it on my Playstation 2. A good sound through Dolby Digital 5.1. Loads of extras except here is the difference between R1 and R4 versions, whats missing in R4 version is the DVD rom stuff, theatrical trailers for other Cameron films and Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. I still prefer R4 version because of it`s superior Pal picture and it also includes Region 2 coding. This also includes the Rat scene that will taken out in the U.K. dvd version. If you like this movie than get this DVD and you will not be disappointed.

I really liked the original theatrical release of this movie. However, I always categorized this movie as an action thriller with an unexplained sci-fi ending. And, indeed, the original ending was a bit awkward, since a lot of information was missing.
This disk contains both version - the theatrical one and the director`s cut (about 30 minutes longer than the theatrical one).
The director`s cut is a whole lot better. It gives a lot of background to the sci-fi parts of the movie, plus the characters are much better developed. But the biggest issue in the director`s cut is that the movie gets a whole new meaning, and it actually makes a lot more sense than the theatrical version.
The video transfer is very good. There are no compression signs to be seen and the dark scenes are rendered very nicely. It`s very difficult to capture the blue hues of the ocean on DVD, but the transfer does so quite beautifully.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is very good. The surrounds are used quite frequently, especially to enhance the claustrophobic atmosphere underwater. The sub plays a big roll in many scenes, as well.
The menus are beautifully animated with sound.
The extras include: Disk 1 - the 2 versions of the movie with seamless branching.
Disk 2 - about an hour an a half of behind the scenes featurettes, storyboard of the entire movie, 2 sets of scripts, explanations about the special effects, some extensive production notes, a multi-angle scene and a picture gallery with hundreds and hundreds of pictures.
While there is no director`s commentary, the rest of the extras really compensate for that.
Bottom line - a great movie (not with an important message) and a great 2-disk set that everyone should own.