Michael Sragow's 2012 assessment.
Roger Ebert's 1975 review.
The Guardian's 1975 review.
The Washington Post's 1975 review.
And here is a negative review from the LA Times.
And just to let you know: there were three sequels. Watch at your own risk. And finally, if you think sharks and swimmers are old hat...
Question 1. You're a film critic for The Forum. Write a hundred work review of Jaws.
2. Yesterday, we talked about your criteria for what makes a movie worth seeing. To refresh your memory, this is what a few of you said:
—It has to have interesting characters.
—The cinematography—specifically the color—has to be well done.
—There has to be a plot or story that pulls you in.
—The acting has to be believable.
—A world is created that is escapist, or realistic, or believable.
—You have to connect with the characters.
—There has to be an emotional impact.
Using one of these criteria, or one that's not there because you didn't have a chance to state it, apply it to Jaws. I asked you to do this last night, but in this case, be really specific: how specifically—citing a specific scene or moments—does the movie fulfill your requirement. 100 words.
See you all tomorrow. We'll talk about the above for about 30 minutes or so. Then...
Watch this preview for Mad Max: Fury Road.
See you all tomorrow.
1. “Jaws,” directed by Steven Spielberg, is a summer blockbuster that people will talk about for years. The movie starts slow which reflects the town where the story is set. Family man and police chief Martin Brody has concerns about a shark when a girl is killed in “uncertain” circumstances but when he tries to tell the mayor to close the beaches the mayor refuses to lose the potential income from the beach over a one time attack that he wants to believe wasn’t by a shark. When a young boy is killed the whole town rises up, half the people storm the town hall while everyone else decides to take the issue upon theirselves and try to catch the shark. A shark is caught but shark expert Hooper says that it’s the wrong one. Finally the mayor addresses the problem and closes the beaches after Brody’s son is almost attacked in front of a crowd by the monstrous shark. Hooper and Brody team up with local expert fisherman and town crazy Quint to go out and kill the beast once and for all. Finally out on the water the energy of the movie ramps up and the interactions with the shark becomes more frequent. The three men risk their lives trying to kill the shark but out on the water they get over their differences and become a team.The men pool all their ideas together and try just about every single one in their final fight to the death.
ReplyDelete2. I agree with what John said in class, I think that Quint is the most interesting character and he’s the one I felt the greatest connection with. I didn’t feel a connection with him because of the similarities between him and me but instead I just felt that he was the one who I knew the most about. Quint tells of his life’s struggles and hardships but also sings these songs and whistles with the happiness and ignorance of a mad man. I didn’t relate to Brody as much because I don’t think he ever really showed and emotion. Quint really comes out the night where all the men are drinking and singing after a long day of shark fighting and they compare scars and stories. Quint and Hooper go back and forth until Brody asks about a mark on Quint’s arm. Quint says that the mark is a tattoo that he got removed and Hooper laughs thinking that it is a meaningless and mockable tattoo but Quint then describes the story behind it. Quint tells how he and all of his friends were on a ship that was torpedoed and sunk. Out of around 1100 men on the ship, 300(ish) survived. Quint even saw his buddy “asleep” and bitten in two floating by him. This moment shows that Quint isn’t just a loony ol’ sailor and that he has more depth than what people give him credit for.
(little over 100 words for both... whoops)
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ReplyDelete1.It is impossible to live in today’s society and not have heard about the movie Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg. It is a classic American 50’s summer blockbuster that focuses on what happens when the perfect beach town Amity is infested with the fiercest great white shark of all time, with only a police chief, an oceanographer, and a crazy shark hunter to take it down and save the beach goers. This movie plays on your emotions throughout. It builds up tension and paranoia in the viewer, and ultimately turns an extremely extravagant fight scene between man and beast that is terrifying, but also somehow hilarious. This movie is perfect for a wide range of people, and deserves to continue to be watched and referenced to in the future.
ReplyDelete2. The most important thing a movie has to have for me to think it is worth seeing is its emotional impact. I don’t need it to be jam packed with action, but if it doesn’t make me feel anything, it feels like a waste of time. I don’t care if it makes me scared, happy, sad, amazed, etc., I just want it to impact my emotions. My favorite type of movies are ones that play mind games with you, especially when after you realized you were played you get that “woah!” feeling. It’s hard to explain, but for example when I watched Silence of the Lambs and I saw why the murderer was doing what he was doing I felt that feeling where you go “ohhhh I see”, which feels awesome! Smart movies that play with your emotions are the best movies. I think Jaws did a great job playing with my emotions. I was on edge the whole movie, and it kept teasing us on who was going to die, and when the shark was going to appear. I loved that the whole class was on an emotional rollercoaster and kept jumping at all the jump scares! It was so fun. Scenes that played our emotions were definitely the beach scene where we get freaked out so everything in the water looks like a shark is about to eat people, and every moment on the boat when they are waiting to see the shark or the shark is knocking into the boat. Another minor scene that got a hilarious crowd reaction was when the dead man showed his face underneath the boat.
1.The iconic summmer blockbuster, Jaws, directed by Stephen Spielberg will have you nail bitting at the edge of you seat my the end. The movie takes place in a small New England town where nothing so extreme as a shark attack has happened in the 50 years there. Both a young boy and a woman are murdered by the shark, howvever the mayor of the town refuses to close the beaches. The movie focuses on the cheif of police in the town, an oceanographer, and the local crazy fisherman as they set off on a course to kill the frightening shark. You'll be laughing, screaming, and cheering before the movie ends as you see a group of three men come together against one common enemy.
ReplyDelete2. I think this movie gives you a really emotional connect because of the general fear of being killed by a shark. I think the final scenes of the movie you feel a lot of emotions and it's because the shark is most present. When Hooper's cage is destroyed I think the watcher too felt the panic that was occurring. Also my the end of the movie I felt accomplished and relieved like I had been hunting the shark myself and it finally died. Also you feel sad however because one of the men didn't make it to see the end. This movie makes you feel multiple emotions all at once in only a short period of time.
1. "Jaws," directed by Stephen Spielberg, follows the events in a small town during a series of shark attacks. The main characters include that of Martin Brody, the new-to-town police chief, Matt Hooper, the rich oceanographer, and Quint, the obsessive shark-hunter. Spielberg proves his mastery of suspense and the ability to mix horror elements with comedic ones in this film, weaving a rich tapestry of relatable characters and a compelling plot as based on the book Jaws by Peter Benchley. The ominous score, crafted expertly by John Williams, plays with the more suggestive imagery in the first half of the film to create an atmosphere of tension. This tension is kept up throughout the film, and pays off brilliant with the adventurous endeavor of the three main characters out to sea to finally kill the monster.
ReplyDelete2. "Characters" : "Jaws" certainly fills the requirement of a movie worth watching just by the interesting and relatable characters. The three main characters; Brody, Hooper, and Quint, all have their own backstory and compelling motives that makes them willing to venture out to kill the shark. Brody, a new-to-town police chief, is played as a good hearted person, and as the audience is introduced to his entire family, it's hard not to like him, whether it be from the short but enjoyable mimicking scene that he has with his son, or the more serious compelling moments when he is in fierce battle with the shark. Hooper, the rich oceanographer, truly has a love for sharks, as he has no need to actually work hard (because he has money), but still follows his passion wherever it takes him (which I'm sure we all can relate to). Quint provides the most heart wrenching and emotionally driven character. His horrific story of watching hundreds of his comrades being eaten by sharks in the waters of the Pacific gives him the truest drive to kill the shark, and allows him to keep the plot going as he does whatever he can to get his revenge (destroying the radio and running the engine too fast). He makes it his goal to kill the great white, which makes his ending all the more poetic as he joins his comrades at last. Just these three main characters by themselves drive the plot of the movie forward, and also keeps the audience interested as they interact (especially when they started comparing scars and singing). But aside from them, the rest of the characters each have their own moments; whether it be the wife's small comedic moment with the shark book and her son on the water early on in the movie, or the mayor's greed, or even the numerous humorous baby moments when he's playing in the sand or mimicking his father (or even the more serious small subplot of him trying to get his father's attention), each character is not a bland imitation of humanity, they all represent the imperfectness of life and our society.
1. The summer blockbuster, Jaws, has remained a classic film among people of all ages since its release in 1975. Although the movie has become a cliche, it is a must-see for teenagers because of its iconic quotes, action, and script. The story begins with the chief of police on a small island called Amity. The weather seems to always be nice, the people are friendly, and day-to-day tasks are mundane and routine. When a girl is mysteriously mutilated and found on the beach, both the chief, Martin Brody, and the coroner suspect it's a shark attack. However, due to the Fourth of July being just around the corner, the mayor convinces them to change the report to a boating accident; he does not want to lose paying visitors. Not long after the girl comes a young boy, who is in the surf and gets pulled under by the shark. It is not until this attack that people begin to worry and seek revenge from the shark. The boring and simplistic island gets flipped on its head, and the whole town turns into a frenzy. Many men venture out on boats to catch the shark, but end up catching the wrong one. The stubborn mayor still refuses to close the beaches despite the two deaths. On the Fourth, the busiest day of the year for Amity, another shark attack occurs; this time, Brody's son is close to being the victim. A shark scientist named Hooper, a crazy fisherman named Quint, and chief Michael Brody team up to go out at sea and kill the giant shark once and for all. In an epic ending, the shark is blown up and justice is finally restored to Amity.
ReplyDelete2. Although at first I thought the whole plot of the film would be some shark attacks, the whole town was scared, the shark dies, the end, I would have to say the gradual progression of the intensity of the plot was the best aspect of the movie. The film is quite predictable and simple, but that's not to say it was not interesting. Towards the end of the movie, it was solely because of the suspense and action of the last 30 minutes that I loved it. Because it starts off so slowly, the watcher is definitely expectant of an epic ending, which there was. The simplicity of thrown also ties in to how relatable it was, and how easy the story was to connect to your own. Although I have never experienced or seen a real shark attack, it was how the characters were so bland and unheroic that I related to the most. Spielberg did an excellent job at crafting an average summer vacation island, and casting convincing actors who made their roles extremely believable.
1. Jaws somehow finds a perfect balance between horror and comedy. While creating fear in the watcher with jump scares and a huge great white shark, Jaws simultaneously will make you laugh with witty lines and scenes. It really takes you on a ride, where you can genuinely say that you had fun at the end. It’s not just a movie, but an experience. The watcher will find themselves actively engaged in a movie that is essentially about man vs. shark.
ReplyDelete2. Using the criteria that a movie must have interesting characters to make it worth seeing, Jaws fulfills the requirement. The main trio: Brody, Quint, and Hooper, are all compelling characters that I personally felt invested in. Brody was a perfect character that the audience could relate too throughout the movie, while Quint and Hooper provided comic relief. The characters are fun when needed, but also provide emotion and fear when needed. The monologue about the Indianapolis by Quint really gives the audience another dimension to the character. Overall I felt myself invested and interested in the characters, and throughout Jaws based off of the character criteria Jaws did really well.
1. Jaws is the summer blockbuster that will scare you out of the ocean. This is an intriguing thriller that I enjoyed.The Classic starts off in a normally safe town. A young woman goes out to the ocean for an evening swim and gets killed by the massive great white which stars in this movie. The chief of police, Martin Brody, finds out about this incident and immediately wants to shut down the beach. When the mayor finds out about Brody's plans to shut the beach down he persuades Brody to keep the beach open to the public. Later, Brody witnesses a young boy and a dog being eaten by the shark. This attack brings the town into terror, a generous award for catching and killing the shark brings several fishermen searching for this great white. A shark is brought back to land by a fisherman which brings the town to joy, but Hooper, a shark fanatic, deems that this dead shark is a different shark then the one that had previously killed two people. The movie suddenly gets more intriguing after the attack of the third man, this is the first time you see the shark. Hooper, Brody, and Quint, a fisherman in this town, go on a fishing trip to try and kill this great white. The movie kicks into full gear as the shark appears again, and this time recurring more often. All of these mens' strategies to kill the shark haven't worked, and finally as the boat is sinking and Quint had just been chopped in half by the shark, Brody is able to blow up the shark saving Hooper, himself, and the entire island. Although this movie will terrify you into never wanting to go into the ocean again it is still a movie I believe is worth seeing.
ReplyDelete2. I feel that I had a strong emotional connection with Jaws, and that is a very important part of movies. Jaws brings out the childhood fear of sharks and amplifies it. One example of fear being present in Jaws was towards the end of this movie when the boat was sinking and the massive shark was on the deck with its mouth wide open. At this point in the movie I felt my self moving backwards, and at one point even trying to reach out for Quint before he got eaten by the shark. Throughout the movie there is also a very stressful feeling and once the shark is blown up all the stress is relieved and i found myself cheering. Although the emotion I felt in the movie was fear and anxiety I still had a strong emotional connection and enjoyed the movie.
1) Every year there's a summer block buster. This year it is Guardians of the Galaxy 2. But maybe you've already seen it. Maybe you prefer The Avengers. Maybe you are looking for something a bit more nuanced or slower paced. Maybe you are looking for a new world, not just another sequel. Watch Jaws. Jaws is a movie all of us are familiar with but likely very few have seen. I recommend Jaws because it's a classic. It's a movie you can enjoy without perfect camera quality, without actors you've already seen in various other films of the same genre and without hearing 20 basic references to modern day pop culture. For people who aren't fans of horror, the film is terror inducing not because of ghost girls and jump scares, but because of the stunning size of the mechanical (but not necessarily obviously so) great white shark and the confusion over who he'll attack next. Horror fans will enjoy the gushing blood and the heroes who always defeat the evil, unrealistically and with at least one sacrifice. When Jaws begins, we expect a speedy blood bath like so many of modern movies. However, the suspenseful, slow pace of the the first part of the film excentuates the epic battle scene of man vs beast in the second half of the film. It's a must see not only because it's a classic, but because it is undeniably enthralling and not overrated.
ReplyDelete2) I think this is a movie worth seeing because it has interesting characters. From small children to important towns people to foreign oceanographers, every character has a different motive and is interesting to watch. Both of Brody's kids have distinct personalities and do a great job encapsulating what it means to be a child. The older brother wants to explore and play with his friends even when his parents are trying to keep him safe. One of the most touching and laughable moments for me was when Brody's youngest son imitates all his actions before the oceanographer comes over. When Brody says he is going out to sea his wife supports him, instead of immediately breaking into tears and begging him not to risk his life. She shows a lot of strength and bravery in that scene. Both the fisherman and the oceanographer have different plans for how to kill the shark, different social statuses and life experience, but we get to see what their true personalities are under the influence of alcohol. Getting drunk together contrasts them greatly but also bonds them and brings them together. I won't even mentation the business owners, the woman who lost her son or Brody. Pretty much every character brought something to the movie and what made the movie worth seeing was the diversity of character.
1. Jaws is a dramatic thriller attracting its audience with its relatable characters, comedy, and the elaborate action scene at the end that neatly wraps up the movie. While created with the intent to scare its viewers, the film seemed too silly to be just a thriller and could potentially be entertaining to watch as a family. This classic summer film is definitely worth watching, centering around a slow town that receives the shock of a lifetime when shark attacks begin to threaten the islanders. Faced with the dilemma of how to resolve the issue without arousing a panic, the chief, a mysterious shark hunter, and a marine biologist team up together to take down the shark that's been causing a disturbance in the town.
ReplyDelete2. I think Jaws definitely works with the emotional impact it has on its audience. I think by focusing on and developing the story of a family the film is able to create a sense of nostalgia. It makes you think back to when you were younger and makes you feel an urge to protect these characters you've grown to learn about and know, especially the family's vulnerable children who want nothing more than to play on the beach. The scene where we see the older son in shock laying on the beach after a close encounter with Jaws makes the audience feel a need to reach out the family and connect with them.
1. Jaws is an excellent movie. There are numerous ways it is remembered in popular cultural, but perhaps it is most recognizable for its theme. The slow but uneasy beginning quickens into a climax. It is simple, but good. The movie is not too different. The beginning is perhaps on the slow side for modern audiences, but absolutely necessary for the plot. The theme would not be good if it started fast. Similarly, if you were dropped into Jaws as Brody leaves on the boat, you would have none of the base we see in the first half. Jaws builds the suspense from the beginning and has a satisfying and exciting finish.
ReplyDelete2. These might not be incredibly complex characters, but there is depth to them. They're not the bags of muscle you see in some action movies. This is largely because it is not all action. There are breaks. In particular, we get to see Brody around his kids, and we see the three men bond over drinks on the boat. Seeing Brody care for his children, and seeing his younger son especially mimic him and wonder what's happening, we understand at the very least that if something happens two boys will grow up without a father. This gives us a connection and emotional investment in what happens to him. As the men bond on the boat, they open up not only to each other, but to us. We have to have this scene to get to know them for the ensuing battle with the shark to have any meaning. If we had no connection, it would just be a fake fish banging against a boat full of fake people, and then we would not have been nearly so tense.
ReplyDelete1. Jaws, the 1975 classic is not only a thrilling watch, but a film with many layers explaining its huge success. This movie lives up to its hype and leaves you exhausted but satisfied from the treacherous plot and the long-wielded shark chase scene that consumes the second half of the movie. Along with the jump scares and suspense there are many comedic scenes and well developed characters such as Quint that give the movie flavor. We also see family dynamics and inner conflicts of police chief Martin Brody. The movie is a must watch because it is a true classic that seamlessly combines the genres of horror, drama, suspense, and comedy.
2. This movie is interesting because at first I had the opinion that it purely was a movie worth seeing because of its iconic references but after finishing it and looking at the list we put together of what makes a moving worth seeing I changed my mind. In the case of interesting characters I think his movie fits the bill. The addition of Quint in the second half helped to change my mind in this area. Quint made the most suspenseful moments almost comedic and relieved the tension while also portraying an interesting character with a unique history. Also the shark expert, Matt, adds a comedic and convincing character with many clever one liners.
1. Spielberg’s classic thriller, Jaws, set the bar high for summer blockbusters, in fact, it created the bar. The first of its kind, this cinematic experience has it all: small town, idyllic American life, the struggle between man, nature, and bureaucracy, as well as a hero you’ll love. Martin Brody, the chief of police, must fight to save a town that doesn’t believe it’s in need of saving before the capitalistic inclinations of the mayor doom the entire community to a bloody end. Can he do it before another life is lost? Watch Jaws today, and find out whether man truly is greater than nature, greater than the beast from below, the killer of the waves, the monster to end all monsters.
ReplyDeleteI think the emotional impact Jaws had on me is the reason it’s worth seeing. By other calculations, movies like “The Avengers” should have the same effect on me as Jaws—they both have heroes, enemies, and a life-threatening mission, but I can’t even remember what “The Avengers” was about, whereas “Jaws” promises to stick with me for a time to come. While watching “Jaws”, I found myself laughing while the men were singing on the boat, hiding in fear when the shark munched Quint from toe to tip of the head, and sighing in genuine relief when the chief and Hooper start paddling back to shore. This film really was a rollercoaster, but one I gladly endured to see the shark defeated. Besides Voldemort, the shark’s demise was probably my most anticipated fight from any movie, and I can’t imagine forgetting it
1. Jaws, the masterpiece by Steven Spielberg, is a summer-blockbuster film you won't want to miss. The film is set in Amity Island, where summer vacationers head to spend their weekends and holidays, especially on July 4th. After multiple shark attacks, Chief Martin Brody must protect the people of the island while also managing the mayor and his group of businesspeople. Brody leads a group of three, which features Quint, an eccentric shark hunter, and Matt Hooper, a marine biologist. The group ventures deep into the sea to catch the killer great white shark. At the cost of Quint's life, Hooper and Brody finally kill the shark and head back to Amity. This movie does not live up to its PG rating, as it will scare you right out of your beach vacation. However, despite its predictable ending, you feel as though you are almost on the boat with the three men living their thrilling ride with them.
ReplyDelete2. I think the plot in Jaws makes it worth seeing. Sure, the cinematography and character development are also very good in the film, but at the end of the day I get a thrill out of the storyline. Despite knowing the ending from the beginning, I still feel a rush after watching it. Throughout the chase of the shark I know that they are going to catch it, but I steel feel suspense and a thrill from the journey on the boat. The thing that makes a movie worth seeing is when I continue thinking and pondering about the movie days after seeing it. The first time I saw Jaws, I was scared to death to go swimming. I had nightmares for the rest of the week. But that is what makes the movie a must-see: the plot makes viewers continue to think about swimming on the beach and what would happen if a shark attacked them.