Jaws (30th Anniversary Special Edition)

Advantages: The first EVER summer blockbuster!!! A true Spielberg classic!!!
Disadvantages: The shark looks a little rough and maybe that's all...

...are now two versions of Jaws available on DVD: The single disc 25th Anniversary edition and the more recent 2 disc 30th Anniversary edition. I own both of these editions and will detail the 25th Anniversary edition details first and add the details of the 30th Anniversary edition toward the end of this review - that way, those who don't already own Jaws can decide which version should suit their needs should they ever wish to buy it. ------------------------- ...
...by the late Peter Benchley, Jaws is set in the fictional seaside resort of Amity Island. The story kicks off with the death of a local girl when she takes a night-time dip into the ocean and in a memorable and harrowing scene becomes the first of many victims of a great white shark. During this scene (and for about the first half of the film - a little more about that later…) the shark is not seen at all - which ramps the suspense greatly. The ... Read review

Advantages: This re issue has outstanding extra features
Disadvantages: You probably own the 25th Aniversary Edition

...track the beast down. Jaws is my favourite film of all time, it is of great significance to me as the Head In The Boat scene made me utter the F word in front of my parents for the first time. Everything about it is perfect, characterisation, plot, tension, drama, there is nothing in the film that can be improved upon. Spielberg as second time director never puts a foot wrong in a film that plays out like a string of classic movie moments....the ...
...Brody and the shark. Jaws was the first film ever to make $100 Million at the box office, it was the first ever summer event movie. If you ever go to see those summer blockbuster movies like Spiderman, Men In Black, Independance Day........they all owe a debt to Jaws as the may never have been made without this film. Now you probably may already have this movie in the form of the 25th Anniversary Edition so why fork out again for the 30th? Well ... Read review

Advantages: 3 hours of bonus material. Quint
Disadvantages: That darn annoying mayor - why doesn't he listen!

...------ I remember watching Jaws as a kid and loving it. I think that is when you should first watch it so as to fully appreciate it. Watching it again as an adult, I still enjoyed the film. The head in the boat scene still made me jump (I had forgotten about it). Ok, the special effects don't look so special any more (did they ever?). My mum assures me that they were 'really good for the time', but I'm still not convinced. The kids have got scarier ...
...aside, the under water sequences are great and beautifully shot. The film is a classic thriller that is packed full of suspense but I think it's the music that truly makes this film. It is such a memorable and fantastic score. There are some fantastic performances from the cast but my favourite has to be Quint. I loved listening to his stories (he's like one of those elderly relatives with their war stories). I love the way he just breaks into ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant Thriller
Disadvantages: Too simple special effects

...at the time of making Jaws may have created a better film because he had to rely on conventional cinematic ways such as editing, pacing, creative photography and characterisation instead of the wizardry of special effect used nowadays. Disk 2: mainly there is a 1 hour 50 mins documentary, containing everything; from Universal winning the rights to the book, throughout production and the motorized shark not functioning, all the way to the release ...
...isn't much behind the scenes. The documentary is mainly people just talking which frustrated me. Other features comprise of a Spielberg interview from1974, 13 deleted scenes, countless shark facts, out-takes, storyboards and image gallery. This collector's edition also includes 8 lobby cards, the infamous soundtrack C.D., 6 publicity stills and a sketch book. Thanks for reading Marvello ... Read review

Advantages: Great Movie, doesnt rely on effects
Disadvantages: Awful effects and really fake shark

...his final harpoon into the jaws of the shark and it hits the fire extinguisher that the hunter had taken to the shark. The tension is on the point of exploding, but the shark has beaten them to it, with an immense climax the audience jumps off their seats. And with every shark attack there is a view of the calm sea, however, this time with the two survivors, Brody and the Expert. But how does this capture our imaginations 30 years after the fists ...
...it. The tension that has built up by our mothers telling us to be careful of the water and the countless documentaries about real killer sharks, this is what really enthrals us. It has held our imaginations though the course of 30 years not by the rubbish props and fake shark but by the suspense and fear that throughout your whole life has been built up. Before I wrote this essay I had not seen the movie 'Jaws' and yet what came into my head when ... Read review