While pale in comparison to Spielberg's masterful original, Jaws 2 wasn't that bad and God compared to what followed.
Roy Scheider didn't want anything to do with slasher-esque sequel, but after leaving production of The Deer Hunter, he still had two films left in his contract with Universal.
Studio offered him a get out clause (so to speak). Reprise role and contractual obligation will be fulfilled.
He agreed to terms, but was resentful.
Tensions ran high on set, as Scheider and director Jeanott Szwarc didn't get along.
Nevertheless, our man braved it out and gave a great performance, unlike those annoying fucking teenagers.
What a shame more didn't die.
Novel
Based on the original screenplay by Howard Sackler and Dorothy Tristan, Harry Searls' book (set in 1976 rather than 1978); features several new, and often bizarre subplots.
Brody has a beef with a casino being constructed in Amity, with mafia member Shuffles Moscotti getting in his way.
Ellen teases newspaper editor Harry Meadows into thinking he might be in with a shout if he loses a bit of timber.
Cheeky bitch.
She also appears to be very keen on a rugged Navy pilot.
Hubby is also tempted to stray, as he forms a relationship with forensic investigator who looks into the waterskiers' deaths.
The 'half-eaten' killer whale scene is missing.
Brody isn't fired.
Shark photo taken by the diver's camera is developed by pharmacist Nate Starbuck and becomes convinced that Brody never killed the first shark and that Vaughn, Brody and councilmen are conspiring to cover shit up. Starbuck keeps the photo and tries to blackmail Vaughn and Brody.
For some reason, holidaying NYPD Sergeant Jepps decides to shoot a seal named 'Sammy', leading Brody to arrest him.
We also see things from the shark's POV, learn antagonist is 30 feet long, pregnant, and mate of the first shark.
Although sex is never stated in film, you can see why those who have read the book call cinematic beastie 'Brucette'.
It still gets fried by chewing on power line, albeit in slightly different circumstances.
Memorable moments
Water ski chase
Life's a beach
Chopper attack
Say AHHH!!!!
Death inspired a few others.
Legacy
Bite-sized tidbits
From activity books to beach towels, a bucketload of merch was released.
Oh, and Topps trading cards.
No. 58 Monarch of the Ocean! is lifted directly from quad poster.
Jaws (Amiga/Atari ST) vs abandoned cruiser
Hmmm.
Marvel Super Special (Issue 6)
Highlights reel start.
As usual, baddie meets a shocking demise.
In this case "sixty thousand very deserved volts..."
Poster rip offs
Blood Surf, Deep Blue Sea and Lake Placid
L'Ultimo Squalo (The Last Shark) was called Jaws Returns in Japan, despite having fuck all to do with franchise.
More confusingly, shameless Jaws knock-off was named Tiburón 3 El Ultimo Tiburón (Jaws 3 The Last Shark) in Spain.
The real Jaws 3 unfortunately came out in 1983.
Spoofs
Cracked, Mad and The Phantom
Crazy and 2.000.000 Leagues Under the Sea (Viewtiful Joe)
Tagline
One of the most famous in movie history is credited to Andrew J. Kuehn.
'Just when you thought it was safe [etc etc]'.
Roy Scheider didn't want anything to do with slasher-esque sequel, but after leaving production of The Deer Hunter, he still had two films left in his contract with Universal.
Studio offered him a get out clause (so to speak). Reprise role and contractual obligation will be fulfilled.
He agreed to terms, but was resentful.
Tensions ran high on set, as Scheider and director Jeanott Szwarc didn't get along.
Nevertheless, our man braved it out and gave a great performance, unlike those annoying fucking teenagers.
What a shame more didn't die.
Novel
Based on the original screenplay by Howard Sackler and Dorothy Tristan, Harry Searls' book (set in 1976 rather than 1978); features several new, and often bizarre subplots.
Brody has a beef with a casino being constructed in Amity, with mafia member Shuffles Moscotti getting in his way.
Ellen teases newspaper editor Harry Meadows into thinking he might be in with a shout if he loses a bit of timber.
Cheeky bitch.
She also appears to be very keen on a rugged Navy pilot.
Hubby is also tempted to stray, as he forms a relationship with forensic investigator who looks into the waterskiers' deaths.
The 'half-eaten' killer whale scene is missing.
Brody isn't fired.
Shark photo taken by the diver's camera is developed by pharmacist Nate Starbuck and becomes convinced that Brody never killed the first shark and that Vaughn, Brody and councilmen are conspiring to cover shit up. Starbuck keeps the photo and tries to blackmail Vaughn and Brody.
For some reason, holidaying NYPD Sergeant Jepps decides to shoot a seal named 'Sammy', leading Brody to arrest him.
We also see things from the shark's POV, learn antagonist is 30 feet long, pregnant, and mate of the first shark.
Although sex is never stated in film, you can see why those who have read the book call cinematic beastie 'Brucette'.
It still gets fried by chewing on power line, albeit in slightly different circumstances.
Memorable moments
Water ski chase
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| Hungry shark manages to chase down a vehicle that can easily outrun its pursuer. Okay, if speedboat was literally cruising at less than 30 mph and Great White was going at full pelt, it's plausible, but still unlikely. |
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| Eddie and Tina stumble upon a 7.5 metre corpse. This could be referencing Orca (1977), as Killer whale destroys a Great White. Here, it's only assumed that shark was responsible. |
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| In arguably the best sequence, rubber beastie chomps on inflatable landing equipment. A deleted scene shows pilot wasn't eaten and presumably drowned. |
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| Cause the power, line's supplying, it's electrifying (it's electrifying). |
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| Smoke belching through eye sockets is of course nonsense, as flesh would have almost certainly melted by now. |
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| Deep Blue Sea |
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| Resident Evil (2002) |
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| Back to the Future Part II Behind the NES version of Jaws (loosely based on Jaws: The Revenge), is VHS copy. |
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| Blagger (C64) Manic Miner clone's follow-up stage to The Evil Dentist is Jaws 2. |
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| From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money Dog is named... wait for it. Yeah, Jaws 2. |
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| Shallow Grave (1994) Among the clutter in Alex's bedroom is a certain book. |
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| Sean (left) and Michael (right) are playing 1976 Pong console Adversary. |
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| After Brody is fired off-screen, he returns home steaming drunk. We can see barrel taken from the Orca has been transformed into a planter. |
Oh, and Topps trading cards.
No. 58 Monarch of the Ocean! is lifted directly from quad poster.
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| Portuguese paperback Tubarão bizarrely uses sequel's poster as front cover. Not Jaws? Nah, that would make too much sense. |
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| Original soundtrack splices original's meat with teenie boppers. Trading card No.47 The Monster Attacks! uses same image. |
Marvel Super Special (Issue 6)
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| Adaptation is set 'almost three years' after Jaws and mashes up both novel and film, serving new slices of exciting pie. |
As usual, baddie meets a shocking demise.
In this case "sixty thousand very deserved volts..."
Poster rip offs
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| Lou Feck's painting is almost as iconic as Roger Kastel's. |
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| The Meg echoes Lake Placid. |
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| Old-Yeller Belly (The Simpsons) combines both. |
More confusingly, shameless Jaws knock-off was named Tiburón 3 El Ultimo Tiburón (Jaws 3 The Last Shark) in Spain.
The real Jaws 3 unfortunately came out in 1983.
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| Thunder Jaws (home computer art) |
Cracked, Mad and The Phantom
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| Along with Grease, Heaven Can Wait and Damien: Omen II, shark also appeared on Issue 45. |
One of the most famous in movie history is credited to Andrew J. Kuehn.
'Just when you thought it was safe [etc etc]'.
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| Ice Sharks 'in the Arctic' |
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| Revenge of the Pink Panther 'to go back to the movies' |
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| Return of the Living Dead Part II 'to be dead' |
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| Meet the Blacks 'to move to Beverly Hills...' |
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| The Howling III: The Marsupials 'to go down under...' |
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| Girls Gone Dead 'to go topless...' |
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| Into the Dark 'to turn off the light' |
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| Ghoulies II 'to go back in the bathroom...' |
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| Saturday the 14th 'to look at the calendar again.' |
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| The Chill Factor 'to go back on the slopes...' |
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| This Summer it's finally safe to go back in the water. |
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| Just when you thought blah blah - You can't get to it. |
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| 'Just when you thought it was safe to putt!' |
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| Fake sequel Hedges teased: 'Just when you thought it was safe to trim' |
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| Thunder Jaws (Arcade flyer) When it's not safe to into the water. And the crowd can't wait to dive in. |
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| Slayaway Camp Just when you thought it was safe to camp... |
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| Samurai Shodown (Sega CD back cover) Just when you thought it was safe to fight on the Sega CD... |
Goofs
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| During opening scene, we see Orca under the pulpit of sunken boat. |
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| One problem though. Sign only appeared at the back of the stern. |
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| Using a combination of petrol can and flare gun, driver manages to fend off shark, leaving right side of face severely burned. |
But immediately after.
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| Just before boat goes KABOOM, it's nowhere to be seen. |
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| Hydraulics can be seen inside peculiar shaped mouth. |
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| At a very specific moment towards the end (when it forces Brody to crash police launch), shark doesn't growl or roar. Instead, SCREAMS like a fucking banshee. |
My personal favourite.
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| Jaws is set during July 1974. |
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| Martin C. Brody was named Amity Man of the Year at some point in 1975. |
So they're saying Brody, Quint and Hooper were away for at least 6 months?
ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT!
In fact, it was only a matter of days.