DrPhibes1964

I didn't get to see Jaws when it was released in 1975 and had to wait until it aired (in an edited form) on network television, and later unedited on HBO. Seeing the film on an IMAX screen was quite an experience and I jumped a little at a moment I knew was coming but the sound and the enlarged image provoked that reaction.

Jaws is one of two films by Steven Spielberg that I can actually sit through and enjoy---the other being Raiders of the Lost Ark. I've seen it many times over the decades and still become absorbed in the story. This is primarily due to the characters and the actors bringing life and charm to them, especially Robert Shaw. I cannot believe he wasn't even nominated for an Academy award for Best Supporting Actor. Quint is by far the best character in the film and his monologue about his experiences on the Indianapolis during World War 2 is a scene that is amongst the best in cinema history. I know Shaw himself is a writer and I don't know if he contributed anything to his character, but he steals every scene he's in, even when the Great White is also present. The interaction between Quint, Brody, and Hooper are the lynchpin to the entire film. I don't know if they had others in mind when it came to casting but Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss are absolutely perfect together, especially the tension that existed between Shaw and Dreyfuss. Whether the antagonism was genuine or just to enhance the relationship between those two characters is a matter of speculation. It worked in the benefit of the film.

I highly recommend watching it on a big screen. I don't know how the 3D version looks like but it really doesn't need to be embellished by any new technology. It's a timeless classic that looks and feels as fresh as it did 50 years ago. It's hard to believe it's been that long.

Don't be swayed by the majority of negative criticism towards the film and give it a chance. Is it the "weakest" of the series? I don't believe so. I'd actually nominate Beneath the Planet of the Apes for that distinction. It's sad to hear that the cast was very down on this production and most were there for a paycheck. It's not that bad, especially given the budgetary limitations they were under. The studio was reaping the rewards of the previous films and saw fit to cut the budget of this one, which probably knew was going to be the last one. Under the circumstances I think they did an admirable job. What sticks out most is the tension that builds between the human and ape population. The gorillas are more aggressive and prefer to dominate rather than share a coexistence with the humans. The orangutans are the more intellectual population. The apes are the bridge between those factions. Despite his unhappy feelings towards the film, Roddy McDowell turns in an unforgettable performance as Caesar. I was obsessed with the Ape series as a kid and this was the first (and only) I got to see on a big screen at the local drive-in. I think it holds up very well. The last three, Escape, Conquest, and Battle, are among my favourite. Each is less action driven than the first two and has more of a social commentary that might have gotten lost on me as a kid, but as an adult it made these films more interesting. On an episode of Trailers From Hell John Landis (who had a small part in the film) gives a very snotty and snarky commentary for the film. I don't share his perspective. I thought it was a satisfying conclusion to the series, leaving it on an ambiguous note in regards to future of apes and humans.