Review of Jaws (1975) by Jake B — 27 May 2017

As a relatively young film viewer and critic, I was newly exposed to Steven Spielberg's Jaws last year. Since Jaws has a huge fan base and is the most notorious shark film, I already had an idea of the plot. However, knowing what was going to happen before I saw the film and knowing it was created more than two decades before I was even born, Spielberg still created one of the most memorable works of cinematography. When I was a kid, I remember being out in the ocean and my older cousin imitating the music that corresponded to the shark. Even at a young age I knew what the music signified, a shark.

After seeing Jaws for the first time last year, I really enjoyed the movie and was happy to have finally watched it. I have just watched it for a second time a week ago and the movie was just as good or even better than it was before. A huge scene that makes this movie for me is the Indianapolis Speech that Quint delivers. The whole time the crew of men are showing their battle wounds and sharing a good laugh, as a viewer I feel like I am on the boat with them and it's a typical night out at sea, void of problems. As Quint begins his speech, his speech captivates the audience and causes me to hold my breath. Quint is this strong, fearless, confident fisherman throughout the whole film. Once he reaches the speech we see a more vulnerable side of him, showing the similarities the three men actually have with their caution towards sharks and the ocean around them. His speech shows a huge turning point in the atmosphere and foreshadows a possible death the men can face as no one can reach them out at sea just like the Indianapolis.

Overall, the movie is perfectly structured with each scene having a purpose that drives the plot and makes the film a huge success.