Amazon.com essential video: In the vastly overrated 1998 book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, author Peter Biskind puts the blame for Hollywood's blockbuster mentality at least partially on Steven Spielberg's box-office success with this adaptation of Peter Benchley's bestselling novel. But you can't blame Spielberg for making a terrific movie, which Jaws definitely is. The story of a Long Island town whose summer tourist business is suddenly threatened by great-white-shark attacks on humans bypasses the potboiler trappings of Benchley's book and goes straight for the jugular with beautifully crafted, crowd-pleasing sequences of action and suspense supported by a trio of terrific performances by Roy Scheider (as the local sheriff), Richard Dreyfuss (as a shark specialist), and particularly Robert Shaw (as the old fisherman who offers to hunt the shark down). The sequences on Shaw's boat--as the three of them realize that in fact the shark is hunting them--are what entertaining moviemaking is all about. --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - THE BEST JAWS EVER!!!
THIS IS THE BEST JAWS EVER!!! It's bound to make you afraid of the water! If you like sharks you've got to see this. ...
YOU MAY NEVER GO IN THE WATER AGAIN.
Rating: - FABULOUS
JAWS is probably the best film ever made in a century besides Citizen Kane. Otherwise, Jaws still frightens millions of people.
Rating: - Spielberg At His Absolute Best
When future generations examine the Steven Spielberg canon, two films will stand out: "Schindler's List" (1993) and "Jaws" (1975), the director's breakthrough thriller. More than 30 years later, the picture remains a textbook example of storytelling and characterization - somehow managing to transcend Peter Benchley's source material. Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss make a formidable ensemble while Spielberg keeps a tight grip on the watery suspense. No matter how many times you see it, "Jaws" still packs a powerful cinematic punch.
Rating: - You ruined my life...
I like to call this my favorite movie. I think it's because its the first movie that impacted the rest of my life. I couldn't swim in a pool without getting the creeps. Forget the ocean. After 30 years, I was finally able to swim in the ocean this past summer without thinking a shark was going to get me. I realize I'm 38 year old but this movie scarred me for life. I won't let my kids watch it for fear it will ruin our beach trips. Thanks for ruining the beach for 30 years, Spielberg!
P.S. The novel stinks. Stick with Spielberg's version.
Rating: - One of the best movies ever!
I remember being scared to death of this film when I was younger, but I of course grew to love it. Jaws is one of my favorite all time movies, and this special edition DVD was certainly a blessing. I recommend to all who have not seen it to check it out.
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