As a seasoned gamer of cinematic history with over two decades under my belt, I must say that Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, “Jaws,” holds a special place in my heart. The original film set the bar for suspense and tension so high that it left its sequels swimming in its wake, but not without a few interesting twists and turns of their own.
Back in the day when I was just another gamer on the block, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (now streaming on Peacock) was more than just a movie – it was an unforgettable cinematic milestone. Reflecting upon it now, it’s clear why. Beyond the gripping storyline, iconic poster, and the universal allure it held, Jaws was simply… near perfection. It was like capturing lightning in a bottle, and its triumph paved the way for sequels that were bound to follow.
What wasn’t inevitable, of course, was the sequels getting quite so strange.
For a dozen years after the debut of Jaws, we witnessed the emergence of three sequels centered around menacing sharks and the Brody clan. These films shifted settings, plots, and even disregarded certain elements from earlier installments. Each attempted to recreate the unique charm of Spielberg’s initial production, although they fell short. Despite their failure to fully capture that essence, they serve as a captivating snapshot of franchise filmmaking in an era before everything seemed to be part of a franchise.
Given that it’s summertime, and chances are you might be watching the classic movie “Jaws” regardless, let’s delve deeper into the intriguing, occasionally puzzling trilogy of these films.
For More on Jaws:
The Ending of Every Jaws Movie, Ranked
The Viewer’s Guide to Jaws
The Most Memorable Moments in Each Jaws Film
The Long Strange Trip of the Jaws Sequels
Jaws 2 (1978)
In a predictable turn of events, the first sequel to “Jaws” presents a straightforward continuation of the original storyline. It centers around Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), who finds himself dealing with another shark terrorizing Amity Island and its inhabitants, as well as vacationers. The town is in the midst of promoting tourism by opening a new Holiday Inn, which creates tension when Brody tries to warn others about the water-borne danger. Unsurprisingly, local officials are reluctant to heed his warnings, given their focus on tourism growth. However, it’s evident that Brody is grappling with lingering trauma from past events and may be suffering from PTSD as a result.
In the style of “Jaws,” the movie presents a tension between the police chief and powerful locals who prefer to ignore threats, while introducing additional unique aspects. The film attempts to manage two significant storylines: one portraying the protagonist’s (played by Roy Scheider) growing anxiety as he confronts his deep-seated fears, and another following local teenagers like Mike (Mark Gruner), who are blissfully enjoying water activities while oblivious to the danger. Both storylines show great potential, but the film falters in its efforts to harmonize them effectively. Director Jeannot Szwarc does a commendable job, even incorporating visual themes from the original, but the movie lacks the efficiency and expansive perspective of Spielberg’s direction, leading to an uneven and sometimes overloaded feel. Despite being competently made, it falls short compared to “Jaws.”
To put it another way, it boasts undeniably the most extravagant and awe-inspiring shark fatality scene among all episodes in the series.
Jaws 3 (1983)
Initially, the creators of the “Jaws” series considered changing directions, introducing new characters and settings while still featuring a menacing shark. This idea could have been successful, but it never got a chance to be tested because for “Jaws 3,” they chose to focus on the Brody family instead. This decision was made once and for all, shaping the rest of the franchise’s course.
In an exciting twist for the Jaws series, particularly the third installment which I find appealing among sequels, the filmmakers chose to relocate the story, shifting the action from New England to Florida, more specifically to a modern SeaWorld attraction boasting underwater viewing tunnels. In this new setting, an adult Mike Brody (played by Dennis Quaid) finds himself working with marine life. Unfortunately, just as his fearful younger brother Sean (John Putch) arrives for a visit, a great white shark swims into town, forcing the brothers to emulate their father’s heroics and confront another oceanic menace.
Jaws 3 can be described as a significant shift from the narrative of both Jaws and Jaws 2. The earlier films focused on personal, controlled stories, whereas Joe Alves’ third installment is characterized by grand spectacle. Instead of taking place primarily on open oceans, this movie is set in a bustling theme park filled with stunt water skiers, orcas, dolphins, hula dancers, and other attractions. As such, there’s always something visually engaging happening. The key action sequences don’t occur on the beach, but within an expansive network of underwater tunnels, pumps, and gates. In a unique twist, instead of people running away from the beach to escape the shark, they are trapped in a flooding tunnel system while waiting for help. Overall, Jaws 3 has a larger scope compared to the first two films, which doesn’t necessarily make it superior, but it does make it quite intriguing, even if the 3-D effects of the time now seem somewhat awkward in their camera placement.
Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Generally known these days as one of the oddest sequels, “Jaws: The Revenge” disregards its predecessor “Jaws 3” and opts instead to spin a fresh tale about the Brody family, following Martin’s death from a heart attack. After her youngest son is taken by a shark in Amity, Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary) relocates to The Bahamas to be with Mike (Lance Guest), now a marine biologist who assures her that great white sharks won’t venture into the warm waters of the Caribbean. Despite her doubts, Ellen, convinced that the great white responsible for her son’s death is seeking revenge on the entire family, initially hesitates about the move, but eventually gets drawn to a charming local pilot (Michael Caine) and appears to forget her anxieties… until they resurface again.
As a long-time fan of the original “Jaws” movie, I must admit that I was rather disappointed with “Jaws 3.” Being a child during the release of the first film, it left a lasting impression on me, and I’ve always held a soft spot for the series. However, my expectations were shattered upon watching the third installment.
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2024-07-31 20:46