Why Quentin Tarantino HATES the ending of JAWS 2
The ending is arguably the most crucial part of any movie because a lackluster finale can deflate an otherwise excellent film. Quentin Tarantino has never struggled with this issue, but he's quick to criticize films that squander audience goodwill with poor conclusions.
Since his debut with "Reservoir Dogs" in 1992, Tarantino has ensured that each of his movies concludes memorably for various reasons—a principle he embraced long before becoming a director. When the credits roll, the ending is what sticks with viewers, and a bad one can overshadow all the positives, leaving a lasting negative impression.
Cast and crew film the ending of JAWS 2
Tarantino highlighted one film that, perhaps, should never have been made despite the financial incentives. Some movies shouldn't have sequels or franchises, and Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" is a prime example. The original film's success led to three sequels of significantly lower quality, none matching the original's impact. "Jaws" wasn't just a shark attack thriller; Spielberg's creation was filled with relentless dread and tension, complemented by authentic, relatable characters.
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As the highest-grossing film at the time, "Jaws" reshaped the film industry, making sequels almost inevitable. Jeannot Szwarc’s "Jaws 2" was the best of the follow-ups, but that's faint praise. On Eli Roth’s History of Horror podcast, Tarantino expressed his dissatisfaction with "Jaws 2," particularly its ending, which he found repetitive and uninspired.
“It’s another shark, and we’re just going to watch four, five, six random shark attacks,” Tarantino noted. “Then Murray Hamilton’s character says ‘don’t close the beach again,’ and Brody has to fight the shark once more.”
The climax, where the shark is electrocuted after biting a power cable, was Tarantino’s breaking point. “The ending is horrible,” he said. “What ruins 'Jaws 2' is the way they kill the shark. It’s just so ridiculous.”
While Tarantino doesn't consider "Jaws 2" an outright bad movie, he believes it was marred by its preposterous ending. His view is shared by many who feel that the unremarkable sequel was undermined by its own over-the-top conclusion.
To learn more, watch our interview with JAWS 2 director Jeannot Szwarc
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