Not a film for a new audience

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2005)

Made in the year of my birth, I can remember seeing this when i was very young, and i came away from from it terrified. I would go to bed and wrap myself in my duvet (somehow that made me feel safer - the reason why now escapes me). Only one other film that i saw as a child had this effect on me and that was Alien (i could never get passed the face-hugger leaping on to John Hurt's face).
Although i realise how amazing this movie is, and can still thoroughly enjoy watching it (the scene on the boat with Richard Dreyfus, Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw comparing scars is pure genius), i do think that for a new audience it must appear a mystery as to why it was ever considered scary. Even its rating has been lowered for today's youth.
To be honest the special effects which seemed so terrifying now look quite comical (The ending, when the shark flops on to the boat and chomps Robert shaw, looks kind of like a giant grey rubber dildo). The story and Cast stand the test of time well, but the truth is, there is nothing here to scare the modern audience.
All that said, i can't think of a modern day equivalent thats even close to being as good as this was in its day.
Still a classic 9/10