Is it hard to write a review paper on Spielberg's JAWS?
Photo by Delfi de la Rua on Unsplash
It’s 1975, and a new movie has just dropped in the theaters. It comes after months of speculation and massive marketing campaigns. For teenagers with an insatiable hunger for instant gratification, the film had to be watched on the big screen on the first day of release. But nothing could’ve prepared us for JAWS. Spielberg’s iconic masterpiece was jaw-dropping, spine-chilling, and thrilling at the same time. The film’s plot, acting, themes, lighting, and sound combine to create an edge-of-your-seat experience. It made us confront the reality of human-animal conflicts and their deadly outcomes. For many of us, the two-hour film left a lasting impression. In this short article, we’ll guide you on writing a perfect review of the movie JAWS, highlighting the most important elements to include. Read on to understand.
Impact and legacy
JAWS is arguably the most impactful movie of all time! The younger generation may not understand the immediate influence of the movie when it dropped in 1975. That summer was more than crazy. People who had never gone to the theater found their way there. The positive reception of the film made it an instant blockbuster, breaking all previous box office records in the US and globally. But this wasn’t out of the blue. The producers of the film – Richard Zanuck and David Brown – together with the marketing team launched a massive campaign to promote it just before its release.
The suspenseful and hair-raising trailer generated unprecedented levels of anticipation. The fact that it was dropped during the summer only heightened the feelings of fear and excitement, as people spent more time at the beach. People have written and narrated many stories about the masterpiece and how it changed the film industry forever. The materials continue to inspire many, especially those who buy college essays online via websites or apps.
Despite the lapse of time, some of us still cherish the memories. Watching a relatable action-packed thriller can be tormenting. Yet, most of us – teenagers at the time – watched it several times. Years later, many critics and moviegoers still consider JAWS a cinematic triumph. But if you’re too young to understand, look around for the hundreds of films inspired by the original piece. However, what elements make it a compelling subject for a review paper?
The plot
The plot of a movie is like the roadmap that guides its journey or narration. You can’t analyze or review a film successfully if you don’t understand this crucial aspect. Spielberg’s development of JAWS’ plot and storyline didn’t disappoint. He expertly created a flowing sequence of events that is easy to follow and understand, while at the same time keeping you at the edge of your seat. A simple plot is by no means a boring one. Therefore, look out for structure, character arcs, and key points. Put together, they deliver a thrilling sequence with a lasting impression.
While it’s impossible to miss the explosive action sequences involving shark attacks, their victim’s agony, and Chief Martin Brody’s attempts to protect his community, many viewers fail to recognize the masterful moments of quiet tension. The points that get the audience to hold their breath; the ones that gave some of us endless nightmares and a permanent fear of the ocean – the jaws’ effect. You must capture these rollercoasters of emotions to produce an outstanding review.
Themes
Movies aren’t made for entertainment alone. They’re also created to teach important life lessons. Therefore, no movie review can be complete without a thematic exploration. While JAWS may seem like a straightforward creature feature on the surface, it’s also rich in thematic depth and social commentary. To begin with, Spielberg uses the powerful great white shark that devours swimmers to explore the themes of fear, survival, and the human condition. Ironically, the movie ended up creating the lasting fear of the unknown in its audience, instead of highlighting human ingenuity and survival skills.
You should also explore the power of nature. Nature reminds us many times that we’re just a small part of the whole and if we don’t respect it, we’ll perish. This happens during storms, hurricanes, floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc. Spielberg captures this perfectly by portraying the shark as a relentless and unstoppable force. Watching the fear that engulfs Amity Island reminds us of our primal fears and the fragility of our existence.
You can go further and explore the theme of community and sacrifice. At the start of the movie, we see Chief Brody presented as a lazy, arrogant, unconcerned, and uncommitted officer who only looks out for himself – a common theme in most local law enforcement departments. But things quickly change when he’s faced with death or life situations. The officer had to make difficult and life-threatening decisions for the sake of his community. His story and that of the people who joined him highlight the human instinct to overcome fear and rise to the occasion in the face of destruction.
Character development
Living in the era of Netflix and Disney can be confusing for older folks. Perhaps it’s all about nostalgia, but many older folks believe old movies had more memorable characters that added depth and complexity to the storyline. A simple drunk in a film could keep you engaged for hours. Things have changed. Every good movie must now have gay, lesbian, woke, and black characters. By no means are we opposed to this move. Diversity is good for the film industry. However, forced character arcs aren’t good for blockbusters. And adding an unnecessary sex scene to a great movie only destroys it.
JAWS was created at the right time. Every character was included for a reason and their role was clearly outlined. Moreover, the main actors provided some of the most compelling performances you’ll ever see in a thriller. Most importantly, their transformation as the movie progressed was inspiring.
Sound effects
Sound effects play a crucial part in films, especially those with elements of gore, thrills, or horror. Therefore, no review or discussion of JAWS would be complete without exploring the film’s iconic shark theme / tune. Composed by John Williams, it was an instant hit. In fact, even the younger generation and people who haven’t watched JAWS can easily recognize the soundtrack. Today, it has become one of the most used cores in the movies to express impending danger…tereng tereng!
Unleashing the depths of Spielberg’s JAWS through dramatic elements!
Reviewing an iconic blockbuster like JAWS is no mean feat. It requires careful analysis of various elements and themes most learners may struggle to deliver. However, for seasoned reviewers, it’s a perfect specimen for expressing a deep understanding of film, theater, and arts in one stride. While examining the film’s plot, character development, themes, and sound effects is important, don’t forget to explore the unobvious.
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