HALLOWEEN REVIEW OF THE DAY: Jaws (1975)

A film about the dangerous side of nature, Jaws is about a killer great white shark that eats people alive near a small New England island. Originally supposed to be a rushed B-Movie, director Steven Spielberg decided to add so much to this film that were risky during actual production, but more than worth it when the finished product was released to the general public. This film back in the summer of 1975 actually scared people away from the beaches because they did not want to experience the horrors that were featured in this film. The idea of not showing the actual beast until an hour into the movie was a genius move, all we needed up to that point where the gruesome attacks of the monster. Just the attacks alone are more than B-Movie worthy. The scenes are done so well like the killings of the girl, the boy, and the boater did not seem so over the top, these are probably real reactions people would have. Though I really love this movie to the point where it is actually one of my favorite films of all time, the only little peeve I have are the beachgoers. These people are so unbelievably stupid and naive especially when the shark is around, there's even a moment where a woman is STANDING STILL in the water and HOLDING HER CHILD, while screaming like a maniac. Woman just get out of there, you are with your child and a killer shark is about to eat you! I always wanted a screen pic of that frame and just frame it and put it on my wall it's so funny to look at! But to the movie's credit they add fun and entertainment to the movie, plus the movie is also equipped with great and memorable characters along with a well-paced story and an unbelievably well-done antagonist. Officer Brody, played by Roy Scheider, Captain Quint, played by Robert Shaw, and Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss , are all completely different unique characters with different unique characteristics, different unique personalities, different unique interests, different unique ideas, different unique beliefs, and different unique backgrounds. The three egos work off each other perfectly and all three share great dialogue together whether they are hunting the shark, working out a plan, or bickering like a bunch of brothers. They are one of the reasons of what makes the second and third act of this movie so memorable and entertaining. The other reason what makes this movie so great is the suspense and action that happens throughout the movie. You absolutely never know when that shark is going to attack again, all you know is when you hear composer John Williams play those two memorable and intimidating notes, you know things are going to get real. Like Psycho, you know the attacks are going to happen but the suspense helps you be surprised when it eventually happens. The last thing that makes this movie really work for me is of course the shark. Despite being an animal, despite having no lines, despite having no background, despite having no specific characteristics or personality, despite of it being a savage-like killing machine, the shark, for me anyways, surprisingly seems like a contributing complex character. It sounds weird since he has no lines, characteristics, or special background, and all we know about it is that it's a shark that likes to eat people, but really what we know about sharks in reality is that when they eat people, it is often considered that they mistake humans for something else like a seal. But this shark, this demon is persistent. I mean it crushes boats, fakes out hunters and outwits them, is somehow familiar with are three main leads, and it is so odd. I have very high doubts that real sharks can act like this and despite this not being very realistic like it came out of a cheesy horror B-Movie, which it was intended to be, the unbelievable persistent nature and the goal for this shark surprisingly works. It works because it makes this shark very mysterious, you become curious on why it's doing these things and why is it so persistent. The mystery and curious thoughts brought up about this shark is what really makes this movie so enjoyable to watch, because everything I saw in it, I totally bought it! Jaws is one of those must-see movies not because it is widely considered a masterpiece in both the horror and thriller genre, but because it is an all around entertaining movie and Steven Spielberg really went above and beyond to make sure that his vision for this movie would be so memorable and stick with us in our minds whether we are in love or afraid with the water. Grade: E