The new IMAX film Ghosts of the Abyss from blockbuster filmmaker James Cameron is about a real expedition down to the wreck of the Titanic. It is being presented in a 3D format, though there is no need for it. When someone sees a 3D film, there is an expectation: that they will see every-day objects shoved directly into our faces for a "cool" effect.
Does it happen here? Yes, but only twice. The 3D format is apparently to show the audience how cool the waters of the North Atlantic are, but it fails miserably. Also, Ghosts of the Abyss is incredibly pointless. OK, so James Cameron is going down to Titanic for the second time. And I should care for what reasons?
To give credit, this is an entertaining film. Actor Bill Paxton (who also appeared in Cameron's Titanic) is the main character here. He is a normal man being shoved into a three-man submersible 12,000 feet under the sea. The first segments of the film show, quite humorously, how extremely freaked out Paxton is on his first mission. However, nothing truly meets the first quarter of this hour-long IMAX film.
All we get is more history of the Titanic, clips of Cameron's famous Oscar-winning movie and re-enactments from less accomplished actors. Sure, the special effects are nice, but where does it get us?
It seems to this reviewer that James Cameron has made this movie to prove to America that he can. It's as if he's telling us, "Look at me! I'm James Cameron and I can make a 3D movie out of material I've already used! And don't forget: I'm the king of the world!"
There is much to praise in the film. The camerawork is impressive, from both submersible vehicles and two special robot cameras dubbed Jake and Elwood. Ultimately, it is a good history lesson for those who didn't already know about the Titanic.
Ghosts of the Abyss isn't a bad film, but its entertainment value has been seriously undermined by the fact that this only seems to be a vanity project for James Cameron.
Joshua Spiegel is an entertainment writer for the Web Devil. Reach him at joshua.spiegel@asu.edu.
