Review of Jaws 2 (1978) by Ryan A — 27 Jan 2013

Not unlike the sequel to 2001: A Spacy Odyssey, which was 2010: The Year We Make Contact, it must have been both a curse and a blessing to try and follow one of the greatest success stories in film history.

A success that ran so deep that it forever embedded itself in popular culture as well as becoming a permanent part of human discourse. In all likelihood, that probably wasn't the case, and Jaws 2 is simply a sequel designed to cash in on the original film's success.

With each sequel that was made, the threat began to deteriorate, as did the thought and execution put into each film. It began with this film, and although most of the main cast and supporting characters returned to reprise their roles, it doesn't have the impact that the original did.

It's just another shark doing shark things and no one believing Chief Brody. There are some inconsistencies, which is to be expected, like Mike being an avid boater, despite being traumatized by a near shark attack in the first film.

Little things like that. On its own, it's a well-enough made film, despite being unevenly paced with mostly uninteresting new characters. It's a heck of a lot better than the two sequels that followed it, but Jaws 2 is an enjoyable but mediocre popcorn movie with some charm.