Classic and essential horror filmmaking.

Rating: 9/10 (18 October 2017)

"Jaws" was Steven Spielberg's breakout film and one of the most shocking summer blockbusters to hit theaters before the turn of the century. The film centers on a young police chief and his quest (along with other character's) to find and kill a monstrous, great white shark. "Jaws" can be seen as one of the best horror classics ever put to celluloid, and for good reason.
While the film is plot driven, John William's menacing score creates a unique mood of terror and paranoia, striking fear into anyone who watches the film. The score has become iconic (much like most of John Williams' work) and is instantly recognizable with the idea of a prowling, killer shark.
Where "Jaws" succeeds the most has a lot to do with editing and pacing of the film. A movie with mainly dialogue scenes that promises killer sharks can have the great potential to bore. Fortunately, Verna Fields edited and paced "Jaws" with little to no mundane or uninteresting content. Every scene is there for a reason and even during the "break" periods in between the peril, we still can't take our eyes off the screen and characters.
Given the modern takes on horrific shark disaster movies, it's well known that a lot can go wrong in the screen writing department. Luckily "Jaws" and it's script is air-shut tight with little to no gaps. The story is compelling from the first scene to the very last, and while it isn't the best looking movie in 1975, it definitely might compete for the most entertaining.
Having a young director with a risky summer movie idea was bold choice, but the rest of the world has benefited from gamble. We're treated to one of the best classics available with great performances, unique direction, and one hell of an entertaining movie.