Jaws (Widescreen)

 

 

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Jaws (1975)
Thriller, 124 minutes
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw

As I continue working on this 100 movies project, I am realizing that my tastes are all over the map. It ranges from 50's black and white dramas set in one room, to foreign language films, to recent blockbusters. In a way, I'm happy to find that I'm open to all types of film. Today's entry falls into the blockbuster category and was the highest-grossing movie ever made in its day.

I remember a conversation with friends when I was 13 telling me that I had to see Jaws. They talked about the shark more than anything, and people being torn apart. I caved and ended up seeing the movie and then I read the book. There are plenty of people who have never lost that fascination for deadly creatures. Would we have Shark Week without Jaws? Why do we want to watch such a creature?

Actually, that's not why I like Jaws.

Jaws works for me because of the quality of the acting and the suspense created by wondering where the shark will strike next. The first hour of the movie sets everything up. Although there's nothing particularly bad about the first half, it's far from remarkable. We see a few attacks and meet the main characters.

Chief Brody (Scheider) is my favorite character. He's intelligent, sensible, practical and calm under pressure. Hooper (Dreyfuss) is a marine biologist who thinks the problem can be solved through the use of modern equipment. The most colorful character is Quint (Shaw), who is experienced and outspoken. This group ends up tracking the shark on Quint's boat and it's here that the movie really takes off.

The movie was made at a time when special effects had to be created by using models and machines rather than CGI, so the shark doesn't look at all realistic by modern standards. Spielberg did his best to overcome those limitations by showing the creature as little as possible. We are shown the attacks, but the camera focuses on the victim rather than dwelling on the shark itself. The fear exists in our minds and we fill in the gaps.

The best scene in the movie takes place on the boat. All three men are drinking. Hooper and Quint begin showing each other their scars. It's a moment of release and humor while they wait for the shark to appear. Brody looks bemused by the whole exchange, but it's clear that the group is bonding. In a lesser movie, all we would see is action and more frequent and bloodier attacks.

Another thing which should be mentioned is the music. John Williams created such a simple score, and yet we will never forget those two notes every time the shark is poised to attack. How often has it been used over the years, I wonder? The movie picked up two Oscars in the technical categories, and also won for Best Original Score.

Jaws deserves its place in movie history. I hope nobody ever suggests remaking it to update the effects. The plot is simple and predictable, but the execution is superb.

this is a great movie but watch it at your own risk of going back into the water yea yea the shark looks kinda fake but the monster is real.

Love this movie! My parents showed me this when I was WAY too young - but who doesn't like being scared!?! Classic!

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5.0 out of 5 stars did for swimming what psycho did for showering (4.5/5)
this is the movie that ushered in a whole new era for movies.the
original shark movie.the movie quickly became part of pop culture
history, and has inspired(and i use... Read more

Published on Aug 30 2007 by falcon

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless!
Simply the best movie i have seen in my life!

Published on Dec 15 2006 by Eric Simard

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaws--This film has bite!
Based on Peter Benchley's bestseller Jaws tells the story of Chief of Police Martin Brody's attempts to convince the Mayor to close down Amity Beach after a teenager is attacked... Read more

Published on Feb 13 2006 by Christopher Jackson

5.0 out of 5 stars A real checkpoint in film history...
When Steven Spielberg finished making the smash hit action film DUEL, he began venturing to make another film, scarier, more exciting, and, as well, a money maker. Read more

Published on July 24 2005 by RICK

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and unbeatable
This film is the heart of all new ideas for movies, the movie is basically a large shark which has inhabited an area where sharks are not usually found. Read more

Published on Feb 22 2005 by Andrew Temperley

4.0 out of 5 stars Deep and personal
When director Steven Spielberg set out to create the motion picture "Jaws", he had no idea how much trouble the film would cause him nor just how incredible, exciting, and... Read more

Published on Nov 20 2004 by Bradley Wallace

5.0 out of 5 stars Something to chew on
Steven Spielberg's second feature film (and one of his most challenging projects), Jaws was THE blockbuster event of 1975. Read more

Published on Nov 6 2004 by Bill Brunner

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ALL-TIME SHOCKER
I`ve seen this over and over... It simply never outstays its welcome. The thrills are still at potent as in 1975. Read more

Published on July 19 2004 by Henning Sebastian Jahre

5.0 out of 5 stars May be too intense for Younger Children
Before the PG 13 rating existed, producers of Jaws placated the MPAA ratings board by adding "May be too intense for younger children" after the PG. Read more

Published on July 14 2004 by John Gentile

5.0 out of 5 stars Over Three Tons of Horror!!!
I first saw this movie shortly after its release in 1975. I didn't know what was going to happen when it kept me at the edge of my seat hair raising and harrowing that it was. Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by Huge Viking

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