Being in the heat of the summer, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws seems to be on every cable classic movie channel. Jaws is a universally acclaimed masterpiece, transcending the horror genre on an entirely whole new level, scaring people from around the world from going into the water. What is often not considered iconic as well, is the sequel. When discussed, most say that only the first film is worth watching, when in reality, the entire franchise is worth a watch.
Jaws 2 is one of the most underrated horror films and deserves recognition. The film could have easily copied the original because they knew it would do well in the box office, but instead it focused on the teenage elements of horror films that the late 70s were known for. While many slasher films were known for having meaningless blood and gore with no real substance, Jaws 2 focuses heavily on character development between the teenagers who are getting tormented by the infamous killer shark.
Jaws 2 takes place a few years after the shark attacks that occurred on Amity Island. Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) begins to suspect that the beach town may be in danger again when two deep-sea divers disappear with only their underwater camera to be found. When Brody watches the video, he pauses on what appears to be a shark. When Brody tries to warn the mayor (Murray Hamilton) along with the Amity town council, no one believes him; or, no one wants to believe him.
Brody’s teenage son Mike defies his father’s commands to not go in the water when he, along with his younger brother Sean, join his friends to go sailing. The sequel may not have original cast members such as Matt Cooper (Richard Dreyfuss) or Quint (Robert Shaw), but it takes a completely different and unique route, focusing on Brody’s kids and their teenage friends. Jaws 2 should be appreciated for taking a leap of faith and making more of a teen horror summer movie, instead of being more about Brody and the adults. When looked at today, Jaws 2 is often regarded as a sequel that should’ve never happened, when in reality, there are many reasons why Jaws 2 deserves more acknowledgment.
Jaws 2 was released in theaters June 16th, 1978. It was directed by Jeannot Szwarc, with Steven Spielberg refusing to direct as he thought it would be a “cheap carney trick” and due to his bad time at sea during the first film, which he stated to Entertainment Weekly. The film did great in theaters, being the highest-performing movie of the year for Universal Studios, but didn’t get the same critical acclaim as the original. While Jaws grossed $472 million in 1975, Jaws 2 made less than half, grossing in at $208 million.
Whereas the original may appeal more to the older generation, having household names like Dreyfuss and Shaw, the second film appears to be more aimed towards the younger generation, who in 1978, were the main demographic for theatergoers. Jaws 2 didn't have huge names playing the teenagers either, which could have been an easy way to bring in more people into the theater. For example, Halloween had the iconic scream queen Janet Leigh's daughter Jamie Lee Curtis as the star to draw in viewers.
Jaws 2 had a very talented cast, with many of the actors this being their film debut, including Donna Wilkes, who went on to star in numerous horror films after. The fact that many of the young actors were newcomers gave the film a more independent horror movie feel as opposed to the fact that it is actually a blockbuster hit. As compared to other slasher films during this time, Jaws 2 focused more on relationships between characters, and less on just the gore. Obviously, it is still a horror film and there will be enough blood and gore to entertain, but the film actually has more scenes focusing on character development.
This can be seen in many of the characters, but the most significant is the relationship between Mike's younger brother Sean (Marc Gilpin) and Andy (Gary Springer). Andy is one of Mike's friends, who is a very likable and brave kid. While at first, Andy is the comic relief and seems to have no substance besides being funny, as the film progresses, his sensitive and paternal side comes out as he really takes care of Sean. When Sean watches one of Mike's friends Marge get eaten alive, Andy takes over and becomes Sean's main caretaker. Although completely afraid for his life, he comforts Sean, and he is no longer just comic relief, but a dynamic character.
Another huge development is in Wilke's character, Jackie. Jackie begins in the film as the typical hot popular girl stereotype in horror films. Everyone lusts after her, and that seems to be the only thing she is good for. As the film continues, all of her "tough girl image" layers begin to unfold, and she is actually just a frightened and insecure young girl.
Also an interesting take on the slasher genre, Jaws 2 follows the typical revenge story for killers. This is seen in many horror franchises, including all 13 of the Halloween films, with Michael Meyers returning each film. In Jaws 2, the monster is a shark, not a human or ominous creature who can’t die. Different to other slasher films, the shark in Jaws 2 is a completely different shark, but to Chief Brody, he’s getting his revenge from the pain that the original shark caused.
Although Jaws 2 is not mentioned when classic horror movies are discussed, it is an extremely entertaining and gruesome follow up to the original. Jaws is often considered the best shark film of all time, but Jaws 2 deserves to be shined on as well for all that it has accomplished. If only the sequel was as recognized as its headline “Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water” is to this day.