JAWS Is a Must-Watch on Blu-ray - Review
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, Jaws has arrived on Blu-ray for the first time. This is one of those releases that had me excited from when it was first announced. Jaws is such a classic film for so many reasons. It is the first "event" summer blockbuster movies, and is the film that solidified Steven Spielberg as the amazing director that he is. The film has a great eclectic cast, which includes Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, and Carl Gottlieb.
The story follows new police chief Martin Brody (Scheider) during what is supposed to be a relaxing summer on Amity's beach with plenty of sand and sun. Things change abruptly when a young woman's mangled body washes ashore. When Amity's medical examiner announces that the girl was killed by a shark, chief Brody jumps into action and gets the ball rolling to close down the beaches. Amity's Mayor Vaughan (Hamilton) stops Brody from shutting down the beaches in order to protect the town business owners who depend on the summer visitors. An idyllic summer once again commences until another shark attack occurs, and the frenzy ensues.
Aside from some fantastic performances by Dreyfuss, Shaw, Scheider, and Hamilton, this film has amazing set pieces. This is one movie that does deserve to be seen on as big-of-a screen as you can. Spielberg's tracking shots, and shots partially under the water coupled with John Williams' score add to the intensity of the thrills in this movie. For lack of green screen and relatively no visual effects this movie takes a bit out of the soul of moviegoers, and is enough to make people afraid of the water.
Jaws is a one Blu-ray release that I consider to be a must-own for fans. Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment oversaw the restoration process for this Blu-ray release, and it looks simply unbelievable. The red of the blood and the blue of the ocean water literally jump off of the screen on my home theater.
Too often studios release a Blu-ray with so few special features, but Jaws is the exact opposite.The disc has hours of extra features full of facts about the production, which is more you can digest in one viewing. Let's put it this way, the movie itself seems to have a shorter running time than the special features.
Here is a breakdown of the Special Features:
- The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of Jaws (SD; 1:41:21). It may be listed as an "all new" feature length documentary, but was actually shot in 2007. I love the in-depth discussions with cast and crew about the film. This is truly a must-watch.
- Jaws: The Restoration (HD; 8:28) This is an in-depth look at Jaws' restoration, and has interviews with Universal executives, technicians, and Steven Spielberg.
- The Making of Jaws (SD; 2:02:48) This is the longest documentary on the making on the film, and goes very deep into how the film was made. The vintage piece shows the moving pieces of the shark, as well as how the film was put together.
- From the Set (SD; 8:56) a featurette shot in 1974 featuring a very young Steven Spielberg.
- Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (SD; 13:33)
- Jaws Archives
- Original Theatrical Trailer (SD; 3:15)
- UV and DVD Copies
- Pocket BLU App
- D-Box and BD Live Enabled