To The Sea: Jaws As The Pinnacle Creature Feature

Dun, dun... dun, dun... I could not help myself. Those simple notes are enough for any horror fan to know, within seconds, the 1975 film that made anyone and everyone that much more cautious of the water. Jaws tells the story of a man-eating shark terrorizing a small New England community during its peak summer months. When the situation reaches a fever pitch, three heroes, the police chief, an oceanographic expert, and a salty sea captain set sail for a showdown with the creature not exactly knowing what to expect. 

Jaws cements its place in the horror genre for taking a 'less is more' approach to its handling of the titular creature. The shark is virtually unseen until the third act of the film, and at this moment everything your mind has built up to seeing comes to a blood-curdling realization. Jaws also balances emotional brevity and humour making the jolts that much more convincing. You care for each of the characters in the film and if they become victim to the shark it leaves a lasting impact.

On a broader scale, Jaws is something of a cautionary tale on putting economics ahead of human lives, painting a balanced picture of each side of the conflict. Today we can see the same trials with the handling of COVID-19 and the clear focus on the economy here in Ontario. It is a tough thing however to truly be angry at as these businesses can only survive by being open, much like the beaches of Amity in Jaws.