Jaws

I watched Jaws for the first time over the summer at the McHenry Drive-In Theatre. I realized then that the film was one of the best of all time. Spielberg’s usage of the animatronics, John Williams’ score, and the camera angles helped make this the first blockbuster. 

Bruce, the mechanical shark, brought a real sense of terror. However, the frequent malfunctions prompted Spielberg to rely more on suspense-building techniques than constant shark appearances, which helped add to the overall terror of the movie in my opinion. 

John Williams' iconic score is just as famous as the movie. The “duh-duh” looping theme is synonymous with impending danger, enhancing the suspense. Williams' contribution to the film's overall tension is undeniable. The score helped me feel uneasy every time I heard it play, and I still play it in my head whenever I’m swimming out on a lake.

Camera angles are crucial in showing the terror lurking beneath the ocean's surface. Spielberg's use of the underwater point of vie heightens the suspense and fear. The low-angle shots amplify the sense of vulnerability, allowing the audience to feel the looming threat. I would always picture myself as the shark during these shots, and it had an added effect on the movie.

Even though I hadn’t seen “Jaws" until this summer, I realized the fear of the unknown lurking beneath the water will ALWAYS be scary.