Truly Magnificent

Rating: 10/10 (6 March 2001)

So, here it is: the film that made everyone afraid of the water and gave sharks a bad reputation that they are still unable to shake off. "Jaws" is my personal favourite of all of Spielberg's films, it has it all: humour, suspense, a great story, magnificent acting and, most importantly of all, it grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go. The film is set in the small seaside resort of Amity, a peaceful holiday town and to its residents, the summer means everything to their business. However, all is not well beneath the surface of the ocean, for a 25 foot great white shark has staked a claim in the waters. It begins to pick off some of the townsfolk and the panic begins to spread. Enter Police Chief Brody (a career-defining performance from Roy Schieder), who tries to close down the beaches to protect the people but is soon met with opposition from the Mayor (Murray Hamilton) who refuses to have them shut down for the 4th of July weekend. As a compromise, Brody calls in an expert from the oceanographic institute, Matt Hooper (one of Richard Dreyfuss' early roles, and one of his best) who warns the mayor also of the dangers of allowing people into the water when a beast of such mammoth proportions is lurking below. Predictably, disaster strikes and the mayor finally relents, allowing Brody to hire a contractor, someone to go out and kill the shark. The contractor comes in the form of an old sea dog in the mould of Captain Ahab, namely Quint (Robert Shaw in fine form as usual) who has had several experiences with sharks on his many voyages. He accepts the duty ("I'll find him for three, but I'll catch him and kill him for ten") and so he, Brody and Hooper set out to hunt down the beast. However, it isn't long before the hunters become the hunted...
I don't think I've had as much sheer enjoyment watching a film as I have when watching this 1975 classic. Everything about it is perfect, the cast, the script, the effects, everything. Anyone who criticises the shark for being unrealistic ought to have their heads examined, not only was it as good as was available at the time, but I haven't seen it bettered in any modern offerings - "Deep Blue Sea"? The sharks in that pathetic excuse for a film are shamefully poor, I am still shocked to hear people claim that that production bettered "Jaws" in any way. Steven Spielberg's offering is far superior to any other tale of the ocean and I doubt it will ever be bettered.
I couldn't write a review of "Jaws" without commenting on John Williams Academy-Award winning score - the best score I've ever heard. Just listening to it without the images encaptures the spirit and mystery of the ocean and who could possibly forget the oft-imitated main theme used to indicate the shark's arrival?
This is as close as cinema can get to perfection in the action-horror genre, every moment of "Jaws" is priceless, and I for one will never tire of watching this marvel.