What makes the modern blockbuster even more incredible is the fact that it came out of a B-movie genre film from a relatively unknown director and by the end of the decade numerous people were copying that model because someone this unlikely concept produced one of the most financially successful features of all time, the highest grossing film of 1975, and left a stinging legacy that still keeps people from feeling one hundred percent certain beaches are safe.
Jaws is a cultural landmark. So much so that every single shark in every single movie since has been compared to it. So much of this movie has just landed as a complete revelation to its genre and that then begs the big question I had while watching it this time… what is the genre of Jaws?
I mean obviously it’s an ocean centered thriller but the market often refers to it as a horror movie. And that is the major issue is that I don’t think anything about it is truly that scary. I mean yes there is a powerhouse emphasis on the dangers of the open ocean and the sensationalized legacy of the viciousness of sharks. But beyond that, the movie is much more about the dangers of political indifference to real threats.
A majority of this movie isn’t actually centered around the shark, it is centered around the dangers of ignoring outside threats in the name of tradition and pride. Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) sees this danger and demands action be taken. Mayor Vaughn (Murry Hamilton) on the other hand is only thinking only of the potential financial gain from a 4 of July weekend at the beach. And because of the Mayor’s stubborn pride, the weekend ends with multiple deaths and the town paying a massive debt to a salty bounty hunter.
But the major piece of this whole movie that truly works is the suspense. The idea that the shark could emerge from nearly any place in the water is phenomenal for keeping that tension throughout. And those final moments where the threat of the actual shark coming and destroying the boat they are on, is truly menacing. The moment sticks with you and you can feel the thrills continue on multiple rewatches.
Overall, it’s truly a thriller, a movie that keeps political suspense with the terrifying danger of ocean predators and ultimately shows a masterful set of storytelling that we have come to expect from Spielberg’s filmmaking. And while this was his first major success, it would certainly not be the last.
So, let’s break everything down.
All Spielberg movies will be judged based on the same five pieces of criteria.
Acting – Are the performances good and do they serve the story or are they distracting and awkward?
Story and Dialogue – Does the story being told make sense and is the use of dialogue allow it to succeed or does the story struggle and/or the dialogue drag it down
Shooting and Editing – How is the camera used, how are the shots arranged, what other elements are used to enhance the movie?
Design – How does the movie look? Does it help the movie or hurt the movie?
Iconic Moment – Spielberg has made several big iconic moments throughout cinema, what are they, how many of them are there, and which ones stand out the most?
All these criteria will be judged on a score of 10 for a total score of 50.
So here is my breakdown of Jaws.
Acting – The cast is stellar in this movie. Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss lead a cast with sensationally grounded performances. They do fall a little flat but still has some stellar moments. But the all-star of this whole affair is Robert Shaw’s fearsome Quint. His presence is both comforting and off-putting simultaneously. (8/10)
Story and Dialogue – The plot of this movie has some serious legs, but it could certainly go farther. It feels like the first part in a series that could be very interesting and dive into the struggle between nature and economy. But for how simple it is, it does its job incredibly well. And the dialogue is sharp pointed, and keeps you just as interested as the thrills sometimes. (7/10)
Shooting and Editing – The perspective shots of the shark are sensational. The way the movie sharply plays with angles helps exude a sense of the mounting pressure. And several shots show Spielberg playing with his craft in a way that absolutely stuns even here near the beginning. (8/10)
Design – The genius of the design of this movie is actually due to the fact that the shark animatronic malfunctioned and they had to use limited angles and partial shots to show the shark in pieces before we actually see it. But the piece the makes this complete is John Williams’s incredible score. Williams made two notes are almost more immortal than the movie itself. (9/10)
Iconic Moment – There may be no more iconic line than Brody’s “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” just after the shark leaps from the water. And that entire final sequence of carnage and survival is just phenomenal. (9/10)
Total Score: 41/50
Current Ranking:
Jaws
Duel
The Sugarland Express
And now we get to spend time with the Spielberg we all know and admire. He’s made the movie that made him a success. And while this is certain to be his first blockbuster, it is nowhere near his last. So keep coming back to see the rest of them.
So until then, thanks for taking the time to get Ploominated!
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