The 3 "R's" - Roy, Robert and Richard.

Rating: 9/10 (15 April 2005)

Although it misrepresents true shark behavior, this film is pretty entertaining. The dramatic elements are off-set well with the action sequences, and the overall structure of the film is nicely balanced (even though it is quite long).
Robert Shaw is probably the highlight character, and Roy Scheider is pretty good as Chief Brody. Richard Dreyfuss is just as good as Hooper, who is the "rational" voice of the film, (opposing Quint's recklessness). The scene where Hooper tires to prove his way onto the "Orca's" crew is worth the sitting alone - it is ridiculously hilarious.
Spielberg used his resources effectively, and there are no real cop-out scenes or short-cuts taken within the story. The real threat of the shark becomes apparent suitably, and you suddenly feel as if there is real danger for the crew, however see-through the dramatic devices/special effects are.
This film is too legendary for me to add anything more - it is general knowledge that it is (or should be) the definitive modern (Moby Dick) adventure story.
(Question: When Brody cannot close the beaches because of the Mayor, why doesn't he just go over his head to the next level of Government?)