Filmmaker explains why "Jaws 2" is a decent sequel
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How do you follow up a instant classic like JAWS? Knowing it to be virtually impossible to recreate that industry changing lightning in a bottle that Steven Spielberg et al found on Martha’s Vineyard back in 1974, crafting a sequel to most successful film of all time was both inevitable and unenvious.
However, when JAWS 2 hit US cinemas on 16th June 1978, the response was lukewarm at best with comparisons to the original shark thriller being the critic’s biggest button to push.
“It (Jaws 2) never comes close to the classic status of its predecessor, but for drive-in horror thrills, this still has sufficient bite. ”
Now filmmaker, Jaws fan and movie podcast host B Harrison Smith has taken a look back at the first of the three sharky sequels and makes a case for JAWS 2 being a decent follow up to the original masterpiece.
The ultimate 80s room with my Kay-Bee Jaws 2 posters prominently displayed. That's my kid brother on the left. Note my calculator watch. (image via B Harrison Smith)
"Jaws 2 is well-made, with two producers whose intent was to entertain with quality. It's only crime is that it's not the first film. While the original Howard Sackler script was brilliant and studio fuckery retooled then entire production, the film has solid production values, performances and quality. Neither Jaws 3 or The Revenge can say that. While I know "it's just a movie," it amazes me how little people really understand about film. McCain's citing Jaws 2 is just film ignorance and not even the lowest hanging fruit. I suspect she either never saw Jaws 2 or an even surer bet is she didn't see the two sequels after it." - B Harrison Smith
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