Do not watch this film before going to the beach; no one is going to want to be anywhere near the water. Based on the 1974 best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, which were partly inspired by the real shark attacks at the Jersey Shore in 1916, Jaws was one of the first films to be what is called now a summer block buster. It raked in nearly $471 million at the box office in 1975, and another hit for Steven Spielberg. It is considered to not only be one of, if not the, best horror/thriller/suspense films of all time, but one of the best films ever; hence why I’m putting classic in the title. If you are not scared of sharks before this movie, you will be after. I am someone who is deathly afraid of sharks, yes I know the shark is fake, and I still cannot watch this film without feeling terrified. If you have not seen it spoilers ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.
Amity Island is a popular beach town with many coming to spend a day at the gorgeous beach. During a late night party teenager Chrissie Watkins (Susan Backlinie) goes skinny dipping in the ocean. Within moments she is dragged underwater screaming but no one seems to hear her. Her remains are seen the next day and the corner determines it to be a shark attack, more specifically a great white. Police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) asks the mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) to close the beaches for safety but as the town needs the tourism the mayor refuses. A bounty is placed on the shark, prompting amateur hunters to come to town. When a wrong shark is picked up and attacks still continue Brody decides to go after the shark along with professional shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) and oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss). The three men then go on a terrifying adventure. I cannot go more into it without spoiling.
I had heard of this movie for many years, but was always scared to watch it. Finally I sucked up and rented it; and I am glad I did. Jaws has the right amount of thrills; believe me when I say I was scared to death. I do not care what year it is, this film will forever go down as a classic. The acting in the film, particularity Scheider, Shaw and Dreyfuss, are some of the best in film. Watching these guys on the boat in between the attacks and even during the attacks is something to behold. I’m positive if you have not seen the film you had to have heard of the famous line “You are gonna need a bigger boat.” Scheider actually improvised that line, and it has since gone down into classic movie history. That being said, this film is not perfect. There are a few things towards the end of the movie that I am positive cannot happen due to animal nature; the other thing which I’m sure you’ve heard of have scientifically proven to be impossible thanks to the Myth Busters. I of course cannot forget that iconic theme; no one cannot hear that theme without thinking of this film or go “hey that is one of the best themes in movie history.” Ok maybe not that last bit, but you got my point. That theme may have been the reason why Jaws won the Oscar for Best Original Dramatic Score (the score also won a Grammy) it also won for best sound and best editing. There were three sequels to Jaws, but only one is worth watching, that is a story for another day. If you have not seen Jaws put this at the very top of the recommendation list, but make sure you are not swimming that day.
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