JAWS 2

US, 1978, 116 minutes, Colour.
Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Colin Wilcox Paxton, Anne Dusenberry.
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc.

Jaws 2 is something of an unnecessary sequel. Steven Spielberg’s classic made an enormous impact in the mid-70s. This is merely a repeat, something of a smaller remake of the original. It stars Roy Scheider reprising his role as Chief Martin Brody with Lorraine Gary as his wife and Murray Hamilton reappearing as the obtuse mayor. Sharks also make their reappearance in the town of Amity.

The film is rather long – but has its exciting moments. The film is directed by Geannot Szwarc who made a number of telemovies as well as a range of films for the big screen including Santa Claus, Supergirl and Bug. Thirty years later he was directing many episodes of television popular series including Jag, Boston Legal, Smallville and Without a Trace.

The success of Jaws 2 led to two more sequels, the third in three-dimensional process, Jaws 3D, and finally, with the touch of the ludicrous, Jaws 4.

1. An enjoyable and interesting film in itself, as a sequel? Audience expectations from the original and its theme, characters, treatment? Audience knowledge of the background, characters and issues? Comparisons? Better, equal, less good?

2. The importance of the technical qualities of the film, Panavision, colour, the presentation of Amity, the beaches and the sea? Underwater photography? Subjective photography as in the original? Shock sequences, gory sequences? The presentation of the shark? scenes of destruction?

3. Audience interest in and response to sharks? Knowledge and ignorance of them, fear? Sharks as evil, destructive? Sharks in stories and myths? The background of the original film and the presentation of the shark, a shark with personality? The presentation of sharks in this film merely as destroyers? Audience seeing the shark, not seeing it? The contribution of the original musical score and its reprisal here?

4. The importance of the atmosphere of fears the presentation of the holidays and their relaxation and joy, sunshine, the water, sailing and the pleasure of the sea? Presumptions of safety? The menace to safety? The background of commercialisation, decisions, big business?

5. The link with the original via the credits, the Orca photos musical score? The destruction and shock during the credits to create atmosphere?

6. The picture of Amity township - beach resort, island? the importance of the sea? Brodie and his authority on the island, his assistant? Seeing them in action in the ordinary management of the island? Mrs Brodie, their sons? Larry as mayor and the background of the initial disaster, his continued interest in commercial development? The holidays? The dedication of the swimming pool with the American ballyhoo - as setting atmosphere and indication of tone especially for commercial interests and their ruthlessness? business, investors? The later visit of the investors to the beach when Brodie is afraid and fires the gun? Politics in administration and Brodie’s getting the sack? The social comment in the presentation of the authorities in Amity? Why would they not believe until disaster struck?

7. The characters of the Brodie family - Martin and his relationship with his family, his calm, fear? Ellen and her love for her husband, sons, her work for the authorities and for the investors? The repercussions of Brodie getting the sack - his principles, dedication? The drinking scene and the reaction to his assistant?

8. Brodie as hero - a man formerly afraid of the sea to aggressive hero? The experience of the initial disaster, his nerves, anxiety? His appeal to the authority and the desperate measures, his scanning of the beach the importance of his ringing the bell and shooting? The photos and his poring over these? Brooding, trying to make decisions? his inability to persuade the elders of the city, his going out on the boat, contact with the helicopter, apprehension about his children? his heroism and quick thinking at the end and the destruction of the shark?

9. The menace of the shark - the Orca and the destruction of the explorers, the photos, the atmosphere of the water-skier and her being killed, the killing of the kids, the menace with all the youngsters out on their boats, the circling, the deaths, the destruction of the helicopter? Audience attitude towards this destruction, identifying? It has been suggested that the film exploited audience fear. Did it?

10. The importance of the presentation of the youngsters of Amity - at parties, holidays, work toying with sexuality? The varying personalities - the shy, the workers, the men trying to make an impression, the girls? Michael and his place, work, home? Disobeying his parents?

11. The visiting cousin? The detail of their life, the enjoyment? The attack and the death of the first boy and the fear of the girl? The menace to Sean? The drifting, the fear, the banding together, Sean and his fear and moving from the boat to the others? The hopes with the helicopter, its destruction? The terror at the end and the final rescue? How important was the match between Brodie and the shark? The sharks’ ever-presence and cruelty, Brodie and his intelligence, fear? watching and waiting? The background to his confrontation, the dead whale and its measurements. the corpse in the sea and the shock? the tests, the photos? His scanning the sea? A credible hero?

12. As getting the sack and his reaction? Being spurred on, the rescue? The help of the assistant? Ellen?

13. The amount of time given to the rescue, the uncertainties, Michael and his injury? Vaughan and his fear? The wondering, the dangers? How convincing was the final achievement in the destruction of the whale and the children's relief?

14. Entertaining, credible melodrama, credible horror? A fable about people and the menace of such beasts as sharks, human fear and courage and achievement?