I went to see Jaws this afternoon at my local Cineworld for a mere £5.40 instead of the excessive £11 it cost to see Prometheus (which although was visually stunning, was also frustratingly disappointing. It had far too many story flaws for an experienced filmmaker like Scott not to notice, all which could have easy been solved).
It was a sheer pleasure to finally see Jaws on the big screen and looking so clean and crisp. I was only three when it was originally released and it's odd to think I am experiencing a better picture and sound than audiences would have done back in 1975.
The first half of the film is perfect in its set up, not a frame is wasted, constantly feeding you information that helps build up the enormous pressure Brody is under from residents, the mayor and his family (and this is even before they know they have a genuine shark problem).
I became aware of just how clear cut 'the point of no return' for Brody is. When his kids come too close to being eaten themselves, the shark problem becomes personal for Brody. This is the moment he has to man up, set aside his fears of the water and go and get that son of a bitch once and for all. The momentum and drive built up here is so satisfying.
Having recently become a father I was also surprised how much more upset I was with certain moments in the film. The second victim, a little boy on yellow raft, is harrowing to watch, not so much his attack, but his poor mother who slowly realises her son never made it to the shore. Then later when Brody has just uncovered a shark prank, a girl shouts 'Shark!' He almost dismisses it but then remembering his kids are in the pond we see his reluctant walk turn into a full and desperate run. It is every parents worst fear.
Another amusing but subtle moment I don't remember noticing before is when the three men are relaxing and drinking inside the Orca. Richard Dreyfus and Robert Shaw are revealing to each other their scars. Brody desperately wants to join in and glances down under his shirt at a past injury only to decide it is not impressive enough. It is brilliant storytelling!
Unlike most of the current summer blockbusters, even after 32 years JAWS is still an incredibly satisfying film to watch and well worth the price of even a 3D film ticket.
It was a sheer pleasure to finally see Jaws on the big screen and looking so clean and crisp. I was only three when it was originally released and it's odd to think I am experiencing a better picture and sound than audiences would have done back in 1975.
The first half of the film is perfect in its set up, not a frame is wasted, constantly feeding you information that helps build up the enormous pressure Brody is under from residents, the mayor and his family (and this is even before they know they have a genuine shark problem).
I became aware of just how clear cut 'the point of no return' for Brody is. When his kids come too close to being eaten themselves, the shark problem becomes personal for Brody. This is the moment he has to man up, set aside his fears of the water and go and get that son of a bitch once and for all. The momentum and drive built up here is so satisfying.
Having recently become a father I was also surprised how much more upset I was with certain moments in the film. The second victim, a little boy on yellow raft, is harrowing to watch, not so much his attack, but his poor mother who slowly realises her son never made it to the shore. Then later when Brody has just uncovered a shark prank, a girl shouts 'Shark!' He almost dismisses it but then remembering his kids are in the pond we see his reluctant walk turn into a full and desperate run. It is every parents worst fear.
Another amusing but subtle moment I don't remember noticing before is when the three men are relaxing and drinking inside the Orca. Richard Dreyfus and Robert Shaw are revealing to each other their scars. Brody desperately wants to join in and glances down under his shirt at a past injury only to decide it is not impressive enough. It is brilliant storytelling!
Unlike most of the current summer blockbusters, even after 32 years JAWS is still an incredibly satisfying film to watch and well worth the price of even a 3D film ticket.
