Roses Have Thoughts

Sequels often feel like trying to capture lightning in a bottle again, and more often than not, they end up just scorching the ground where the original shone. That’s the case with Jaws 2, directed by Jeannot Szwarc, which follows in the footsteps of Spielberg’s ground-breaking 1975 original. It’s a film that’s well-made and occasionally thrilling, yet ultimately feels like an unnecessary dip back into Amity’s waters.

Roy Scheider returns as Police Chief Martin Brody, whose haunted expression tells you everything about the trauma he faced in the first film. His character’s deep-seated paranoia clashes with the town council’s short-sightedness, especially that of Mayor Vaughn (a reliable Murray Hamilton), who remains more occupied with real estate than the real threat lurking beneath the surface. Lorraine Gary brings a warm touch to Ellen Brody’s role, yet like many others in this film, she often finds herself reacting rather than taking charge.

While the first Jaws is a masterclass in building suspense, this sequel leans heavily into action, upping the shark count and giving audiences the thrills they presumably craved. There are still compelling sequences; the attack scenes are solid, and John Williams’ iconic score does a lot of the heavy lifting. However, the magic that created an extraordinary sense of tension has mostly evaporated.

Szwarc demonstrates a knack for crafting visually engaging set pieces. Take the finale, for instance, where stranded teenagers face a downed power line. It’s both thrilling and a bit absurd. Yet, without Spielberg’s guiding touch, the film often drifts into predictable territory: louder but lacking the nuance that drew us in the first time.

Interestingly, the shark itself is better lit this time around but somehow less menacing. Spielberg’s genius was in hiding the monster for as long as he could, allowing our imaginations to fill in the gaps. Here, the shark is front and centre, which diminishes its sinister aura.

Despite these critiques, Jaws 2 has its share of charm. It offers moments of genuine tension, thanks mainly to Scheider’s solid performance, and brings back that nostalgic blockbuster vibe of the late ’70s. As sequels go, it’s far from a train wreck, just a dimmer reflection of what came before. In simpler terms, you might need a smaller boat this time around. Terrorises Amity Island, Police Chief Brody fights disbelief and local politics to protect the town’s teenagers from a fresh wave of terror in the sea.

IMDB