Horror Movie Marathon Day 10: Jaws
The 1975 classic Jaws is considered a masterpiece of its time, and for good reason. Steven Spielberg’s killer shark tale has continued to resonate with audiences, and keep people far away from the water, for almost 50 years now.
Despite the dilution of the brand with a myriad of mediocre sequels, some certainly better than others, people still love to revisit this classic flick and get the scares all over again.
“I think he’s come back for his noon feeding.”
On a quiet night at the beach, two lovers having fun together decide to go skinny dipping. The boy, too overcome with his alcohol, passes out before ever making it to the waters. The girl however splashes around calling for him.
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Cut to a low point-of-view in the water, the girl's legs swimming against the tide, keeping her afloat. Closer and closer the camera moves as the, now iconic, bass line builds. Seconds later, screams echo out as the girl is being torn asunder, ripped back and forth at the waterline. Then silence.
The following days move forward with a chief of police desperately fighting the bureaucracy of politics and money as he tries to shut down the beach and keep the people safe. Throughout the movie, he must deal with “good ol” boys trying to be heroes, a mayor who insists on keeping the beaches open, and an escalating number of deaths.
The movie culminates with Sheriff Brody, marine biologist Hooper, and fisherman Quint heading out to take on the shark alone in one of the most action-packed, tension-filled, third acts ever. Spielberg perfectly places the viewer alongside this ragtag crew and keeps the tension on high.
Jaws: A Review
Jaws begins with pure tension & terror and ends just the same. There is a reason this is considered a classic. Every actor does an amazing job and the animatronic shark is as scary today as it was back in the 70s.
My only complaint is that, as a baby of the 80s, I never got to see this movie in theaters first. I know they do showings nowadays, but imagine how incredible it was to watch Jaws for the very first time on a huge screen in a dark theater. I don’t envy much of the ‘boomer’ generation, but I sure envy that.
4 skulls.
Jaws is available to stream on Netflix.
