Matt Hooper from Jaws with a shark poster
Jaws is one of the most successful and popular blockbusters of all time, but one iconic scene cements Spielberg's legendary creature feature as an out-and-out horror movie – despite its broad appeal and massive financial success. Categorizing the movie in the 49 years since its release hasn't always been easy. Jaws' incredible cultural, critical, and financial success stems from its clever blend of genres – from straightforward monster movie to buddy comedy.
More than any other, this moment utilizes horror traditions to great effect. For starters, it's set at night, with the boat's lights illuminating everything with an eerie glow. John Williams' haunting score ratchets up the expectation, while the inky blackness of the ocean only heightens the sense that something monstrous is waiting just out of sight to devour its next victim.
Not only does the severed head act as an incredible double-bluff, but its unexpected arrival when audiences are expecting to see a giant killer shark sustains the terror that builds throughout the movie's first act. Introducing the shark at this point would have broken the spell. Instead, the movie leaves a gruesome and sinister reminder of what this animal is capable of – all while effectively utilizing the kind of gore one might expect from a slasher.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How Much Money Jaws Would Make At The Box Office If It Released TodayHow Much Money Jaws Would Make At The Box Office If It Released Today
Read more »
Industry makes our jaws drop to the floor'Friendship and contempt are just two sides of the same coin.'
Read more »
Twins escape jaws of defeat with harrowing win over Red Sox in 12 inningsThe Red Sox left runners at third base in the eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th innings.
Read more »
49ers Coaches Snatch Defeat From the Jaws of Victory, Lose to Rams 27-2449ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has a bias toward playing veterans over younger more talented players. And in this game, that was the margin of defeat. A wide-open Ronnie Ball drops a ball that short-circuited a potential game-winning drive.
Read more »
Rare Florida fossil finally ends debate about how porcupine jaws and tails evolvedA rare, nearly complete fossil of an extinct North American porcupine helped me and my colleagues solve a decades-long debate about how the modern North American porcupine evolved from its ancestors.
Read more »
‘Teacup’s Showrunner Reveals How ‘Jaws’ Helped Inspire the Peacock Seriesyvonne strahovski&39;s &39;teacup&39; character wears a gray tanktop and stands in front of trees
Read more »