As a lifelong fan of the original “Jaws”, I must confess that I have a soft spot for the sequels, despite their numerous flaws. The third installment, “Jaws: The Revenge,” is undoubtedly my favorite amongst them all. It’s so incredibly absurd and over-the-top that it has become a guilty pleasure of mine, much like watching “Batman & Robin” on a Saturday night.
Is there any more perfect movie than the original Jaws?
Without a doubt, whether it’s the fascinating tales about the movie’s production or the fact that you could potentially watch it countless times without ever growing weary of it, the iconic film Jaws cemented its legendary status nearly as soon as it hit screens in 1975.
As a gamer reminiscing about my childhood, I can tell you that if you’re around my age or older, you might not even know that the iconic movie Jaws has had three sequels! The first one was in 1978, titled Jaws 2. Fast forward to 1983, we have Jaws 3-D, also known as… well, you guessed it, Jaws 3 in 3D. And lastly, the fourth installment, Jaws: The Revenge, was released in 1987. Now, none of them can hold a candle to the original, but each one has its own unique charm (and flaws). So, let’s dive in and discuss!
Jaws 2
Best Thing About It: Some Of The Characters From The First Movie Return
One of the standout aspects of the original “Jaws” is undoubtedly its compelling characters. The leading trio, played by Roy Scheider as Police Chief Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper, and Robert Shaw as Quint, are all incredibly memorable. Notably, even the supporting roles, such as Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary), and Deputy Lenny Hendricks (Jeffrey Kramer), significantly enhance the film.
Indeed, it’s reassuring to know that some familiar faces from the first movie reappear in Jaws 2. Specifically, Martin Schieder, Roy Scheider, Murray Hamilton, and John Kramer play important parts in this sequel.
It features a plot pretty similar to the original (which I’m going to harp about in a moment), and so the returning characters have to deal with yet another shark attack at the beach.
With Schreder’s return, there’s a sense of satisfying resolution to the tale, since he has another chance to slay a shark. However, this installment focuses more on the Brody kids and other young characters rather than just him.
To be frank, despite the return of familiar faces, the absence of Dreyfuss and Shaw is noticeable, and it’s no surprise that Jaws 2 didn’t receive a Best Picture nomination like its first installment. That’s because it lacks much of the emotional depth and essence that made the original so memorable.
Worst Thing About It: It’s Pretty Much The First Movie, But Not As Good
Is this reminding you of something? In the original film, Mayor Larry Vaughn underplays shark attacks at Amity Island, and Police Chief Brody confronts one. That seems to be the storyline, doesn’t it? Indeed, it is the plot for the first movie, but it’s also the storyline for Jaws 2.
This time around, Hooper and Quint aren’t accompanying us. Instead, Chief Brody finds himself largely alone, and his fear of sharks has never been greater (given the circumstances). At one point, he even fires into the sea on a bustling beach, convinced it was a shark that he saw.
Given that incident in the initial film, it appears Vaughn is utterly oblivious to Brody’s worries, which makes his repeated opposition to the police chief’s apprehensions seem rather far-fetched.
In the end, this feels very been-there-seen-that, and not in a good way.
Jaws 3-D
Best Thing About It: The Plot Is Really Interesting This Time Around
3D films continue to be popular today. We even have a series called “To 3D or Not 3D”, where we help you decide if it’s worth spending a little more money to see a film in 3D, or if you might prefer the traditional 2D experience instead.
3D technology, which saw a resurgence thanks to the blockbuster success of James Cameron’s Avatar 1 and 2, was once extremely popular, particularly in horror films like Parasite, Amityville 3-D, Friday the 13th Part III, and Jaws 3-D. It may have faded from prominence for a while, but it is still in use today.
Essentially, I’m conveying that 3D was more of a marketing stunt in those times, not really contributing to the storylines, and the same applies here as well.
Nevertheless, the storyline turns out to be quite engaging. In this latest adaptation, the Brody children have grown into adults, portrayed by Dennis Quaid and John Pucht. Bess Armstrong and Lea Thompson take on the roles of their romantic interests within the movie.
The story revolves around a great white shark (actually two of them) infiltrating a SeaWorld amusement park, and one of the Brody children and his girlfriend trying to stop it before it kills some of the park’s guests.
I find this storyline unique because it stands out from the first two, making it a notable strength of the movie.
Worst Thing About It: It Takes Way Too Long For Things To Get Moving
Absolutely, the storyline is engaging, however, it seems that the exciting parts are delayed excessively. The film initially focuses on the Brody children and their companions, providing a substantial build-up to the main events. Unfortunately, it takes nearly an hour for the enjoyable aspects of the movie to unfold.
Instead, the movie offers multiple scenes of people sailing on water, talking about marine life, but it lacks substantial content related to shark attacks. In fact, I watched this film with my son who is a big fan of the initial films, and he admitted that it was making him drowsy. If a production can’t engage its intended viewers, then it’s evident that something went wrong in the process.
Jaws: The Revenge
Best Thing About It: The Story Is Utterly Bonkers…In A Fun Way
I’m quite fond of those campy films, such as “Batman & Robin”, and since I hold that view, I must admit that I believe “Jaws: The Revenge” stands out among its sequels.
The storyline is incredibly bizarre, and it’s quite evident from the title itself. A shark, for some reason, has pursued the Brody family to the Bahamas, seeking retribution against them.
Instead of delving into why revenge is being sought, it remains unexplained (with only a hint of voodoo), which adds to its comedic absurdity. The film unfolds as one peculiar incident after another. An unexpected twist comes when Michael Caine’s character appears as a pilot, and the shark even manages to attack the plane, causing it to plunge into the ocean.
The ending makes absolutely no sense, and the shark even roars like a dinosaur at one point. It is an absolute train wreck of a film, and I kind of love it to pieces, just like I love Mortal Kombat Annihilation, which I know is bad, but I enjoy it anyway.
Worst Thing About It: It Was So Hated, It Effectively Ended The Franchise
In all honesty, it’s safe to say that Jaws might have had a more impactful ending if there weren’t any follow-ups. However, given that sequels do exist, I must commend The Revenge for being as far from the original’s somber tone as possible.
Regrettably, the response from viewers wasn’t favorable, with many considering this sequel to be not just the poorest film in the series, but also one of the poorest films ever made. It was widely ridiculed, and with good reason.
Michael Caine famously told Australian reporter Andrew Denton:
I haven’t seen it, but I have seen the house it bought my mother, and it’s marvelous!
So, yeah, even though I love Jaws: The Revenge, most people think it’s hot garbage, and it effectively sunk the franchise forever. It’s a shame, too, since I would have loved to have seen Jaws floating around in space sometime, biting astronauts in half.
Have you seen all of the Jaws sequels? If so, which one is your favorite?
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2024-09-08 16:39