> First Watches 2022
> The End Credits Podcast

"You yell Shark and we've got a panic on our hands on the 4th of July."

I have seen the bulk of Steven Spielberg's work. All of it varying degrees of good to great to legendary, but it's this film that I finally understand how and why he's the greatest master technician behind the camera.

Jaws is a terrifying film. From its size to its pacing to its performances. On a technical level, its one of the greatest films ever made. John Williams score is pulse-pounding and keeps you in the action and suspense. Verna Feilds editing is top-notch. Her understanding of rhythm, timing, and impact are essential in making this film soar.

The props, visual effects, choreography. It's all so masterful. So impressively and horrifyingly stylized. Spielberg isn't just creating a horror movie, he's giving us a spectacle. A chance to marvel at a creature we don't know or understand. And to put the fear of the unknown deep into our psyche.

I am so glad I did not see this movie when I was a kid. There's no way you could've convinced me to get into a swimming pool after seeing this. Wholly encapturing and gripping in every way. Spielberg knows how to create a moment and hold you in it until it's time to let go or it's too late. Absolutely genius level work.

And I can't escape without talking about these performances. Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider are a gift to this film. Each character coming to this fight with something different drawing them towards the Shark. It's such top level work from three incredible actors and it still holds up today.

So glad to have finally scratched this off of my watchlist and even happier that it more than lived up to the hype.