Jaws 2

No Masterpiece, But Still Worthwhile...
To believe that any effort to make a 'Jaws' sequel could compare with the impact of Steven Spielberg's original was a doomed notion even in 1978: the original was and is a cinematic classic of the highest order (despite having spent much of the '90s in almost-infinite rerun on the Turner networks), so much so that no sequel would ever have been able to measure up to its legacy. What happened basically is this: Universal execs saw the budget and schedule for 'Jaws' balloon so badly because of all its production troubles that they told Spielberg he'd never work in Hollywood again, UNTIL the movie was released and broke every box-office record imaginable. As they are wont to do in the face of staggering profit, these moneymongers quickly turned keel and told Spielberg they were behind him 100 percent the whole time and they wanted to know when he was planning to start shooting 'Jaws 2'. Spielberg, being smart, said 'No thanks', so the execs decided to go ahead with 'Jaws 2' without...

A very solid sequel
I was only 4 when the original groundbreaking film Jaws was first released in 1975. In 1978, I was old enough to see Jaws 2. A film, that while it pales in comparison to Spielberg's classic, it's still an exciting and enjoyable action thriller.

The story takes place several years later and focuses on Martin Brody's (Roy Scheider) two sons and their group of teenaged friends. The summer resort island of Amity is once again facing a threat from a great white shark. After several mysterious deaths Brody is convinced that a another shark is lurking in the waters. The Mayor and town council think otherwise. Brody's two sons and a large group of their friends take off in their sailboats and big trouble ensues. Acting alone, it's up to Brody to come to the rescue.

While lacking the intial shock and surprise Jaws generated, this sequel manages to capture a couple of nice surprises. The film's big climax is geniunely exciting. Roy Scheider delivers a first rate performance. The...

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...
Jaws II DVD

Roy Scheider returns as the police chief of Amity, a resort town somewhere in New England, which has been terrorized by a Great white Shark (GWS)

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, he's back.

The excellent music composed by John Williams will always make me think of JAWS.

Watch out for the seabirds, they'll know when the GWS is around.

The parasailing shown reminded me of using a bobber while fishing or fly fishing for trout... The skier was like trolling for marlin. When the ski boat blows up there is no direct evidence of what happened and of course the mayor and the city council don't want to believe. The police chief is fired. He didn't help himself when he cleared the beach and shot at a school of blue fish.

Throughout the movie the GWS is anthropomorphized so that we / the movie makers give him almost human intelligence.

Not recommended for anyone who wants to...

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