Still Spielberg's best

Rating: Null/10 (22 April 2000)

I think "Jaws," after all these years, remains Steven Spielberg's best film (outdistancing his second-best, "Raiders Of The Lost Ark.") And it's my all-time personal favorite movie. While you'd likely not find it on many critics' best-of lists for the 20th Century, it's the most fully entertaining film I've ever seen -- a classic mix of drama, plot and characterization.
I believe Spielberg was quoted as saying he was disappointed that the shark scenes near the chief's boat looked less than authentic. And while it's true the shark that attacks the boat looks more mechanical than real, it's only in the film for a relatively short time, and does not distract from the overall brilliance of the movie.
An expert buildup to the shark attacks, a sense of chaos and fear that never feels phony, a fine (and underrated) collection of acting performances, a terrific score by John Williams, and refreshing moments of comic relief to ease the tension. All this and more make "Jaws" one of the great Hollywood films.
I especially like the acting chemistry between Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss when the three are trying to hunt down the shark that's been terrorizing their beach-vacation town. Also, I found Shaw's character's tale about shark attacks on survivors of his sunken WWII boat to be a memorable piece of acting.
Spielberg aimed for higher meaning with films like "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan," and he made more money with "E.T." and "Jurassic Park," but I maintain that "Jaws" is Spielberg at his best, doing what he does best: solid storytelling and characterization, memorable and gripping plotlines, and first-rate entertainment that pushes all the right buttons.