The infamous shark movie of all shark movies, “Jaws,” has recently returned to theaters to celebrate 50 years since the film’s first release. For many, it was their first time watching it in theaters or revisiting the film that has made them so deathly afraid of sharks.
“Jaws” is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, giving birth to numerous different influences that shape the way we see blockbuster movies today. The film helped to put Steven Spielberg on the map, who later gave us other blockbuster films such as “Jurassic Park,” “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial,” and the “Indiana Jones” franchise. For a time, these films, including “Jaws,” were considered the highest-grossing of all time.
However, 50 years later, “Jaws” is in a very interesting position. While many consider it to still be a timeless classic that holds up very well, others might not be as impressed with the film upon watching it.
In my experience watching the film, I didn’t see what all the hype was about. I could appreciate the story and influence for what it was, but that’s it. I’ve only seen the film once, so maybe I’m due for a second watch for a better opinion.
After all, the film is not really about the shark; it’s more about the men on the boat encountering the shark and a fear of the unknown. It’s also why people argue about whether or not “Jaws” is a horror movie.
I believe that some viewers (like myself) think when they see the film for the first time: what makes it so special? It’s two hours of three men hunting for the big shark in the water that has been attacking people. Right?
When explained in that way, the movie doesn’t seem like it lives up to the hype. With a Rotten Tomatoes score close to 100%, it would probably sound boring to someone who hears the plot based on a verbal summary.
As for the viewing experience, watching three men on a boat on the hunt for a killer shark can get pretty old, pretty fast. They’re driving each other crazy, getting into arguments and somehow haunted by a shark they don’t see that often. It all culminates in the final few minutes of the film, where the shark suddenly appears and attacks the men on the boat, giving us the iconic line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
What could make “Jaws” appear this way for the modern-day movie watcher is the fact that the film has been highly influential for the blockbusters it inspired. Popular franchises, high-budget films and even Spielberg’s own movies have been influenced by “Jaws.”
Blockbusters would reign supreme at the box office, with studios producing films with major budgets and hiring A-list actors to star in them. Extra points if it’s released in the summer, a crucial time for blockbuster films, which turned out to be the best time for “Jaws.”
Studios still tend to follow this same method today, as movies released during the summer are the key to getting high box office numbers. The most recent “Barbenheimer” craze in 2023 was a hit for both Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures.
The filming process of “Jaws” was far from perfect, as many directors will go on record to say that filming in the water is one of the most difficult and frustrating things to do for a movie. What a lot of people also don’t realize is that “Jaws” was based on a book. We’ve seen tons of blockbuster movies based on books, with some turned into huge franchises — “Harry Potter,” “Forrest Gump,” “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Schindler’s List,” to name a few.
Naturally, “Jaws” gave birth to a sudden rise in people who were afraid of sharks. After the film’s release, the public became suddenly more aware of the “dangers” of a shark silently lurking in the water.
“Jaws” showed that films could be something more than just a money maker. They can be artistic,high quality and exceed people’s expectations as a visual medium. I think all of Spielberg’s films come across this way. Spielberg is a great director and doesn’t seem to get enough credit for being the mastermind behind so many movies that have been extremely successful. For that reason, Spielberg already has a legacy of his own that will see him as a masterful storyteller.
In that case, “Jaws” will continue to also have a legacy of its own — thanks to having Spielberg’s name attached to it. It’s no wonder viewers to this day still find themselves deathly afraid of that great white shark.
With that being said, if you haven’t seen “Jaws” already, now is the time. It’s one of those movies you need to see at least once, so you’ll have to come across it at some point.
