SPOILERS AHEAD
From legendary filmmaker, Steven Spielberg. Being labeled as one of the best films ever made. Jaws, also known as the “father of the blockbuster,” swims back to the theaters for its 50 year anniversary. Not only is it one of the most iconic films ever made but it’s one of the most iconic pieces of media in pop culture ever. I got to experience the film for its re-release, in IMAX, and it blows my mind how it only gets better with time. What is there to say that hasn’t been said about the film? It is an achievement in film-making and the blueprint of the blockbuster. It was the first film ever to make 100 million dollars in the box office and it makes sense why. The entire concept is extremely captivating and it delivers on that as the film perfects everything when it comes to horror, suspense and character development. The most interesting aspect of Jaws might be that the film really doesn’t have the “big bad shark” as the poster and the story make it out to be. The shark doesn’t get fully shown on the screen until towards the last 30 minutes. The entire second half of the film, when the characters get on the boat, has a way slower pace and becomes a hangout movie in a way. This sounds like a recipe for disaster. So many of these shark films all try to do this strategy but end up being terrible, Why is Jaws the exception?
Jaws is more than just a film about a human eating shark. It dives into themes of greed and grief. The film uses this as an advantage and creates an interesting story for the viewer to get sucked into. This could be the mayor of the town keeping the beaches open for money profits even with multiple deaths or the death of Alex Kitner. These plot points get elevated even more with its masterful technical aspects. In the 1970s, there weren’t the norms we see nowadays like the heavy CGI we see in comic book films. Due to this Spielberg had to think outside the box. How did Spielberg film the shark? The shark was the hardest aspect when filming the movie. It was entirely mechanical which meant it could break and it broke down a lot. This would get annoying very quick but the film had solutions to it. The film every now and then would use footage of actual sharks which shockingly doesn’t feel out of place. The film would also make the camera point of view of the shark which makes it not being on screen a lot more suspenseful as the film does a great job making the beast have tons of impact and creates an impression of itself that is horrifying and overwhelming. Speaking of the camera techniques, the film showcases so many it is the dream of a person into camerawork. Dolly zooms and split diopters are filled throughout the film and it’s always a treat to see it when it happens. At the end of the day a film needs good writing to hold up and Jaws is an example of a perfect screenplay. The characters in the film are very compelling, interesting and are written so well that I honestly forgot about the shark as the characters had me hooked.
I could go on and on about how this film perfects everything but it has all been said and I would be repeating myself. Jaws is an achievement in film, a golden standard, and an overall masterclass in film-making. Seeing it on the big screen felt like magic and I can’t wait for the film to get re-released again.
