Is there any higher film than Jaws? Positive, you might title The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, or every other film for that matter, however for my cash, if Jaws is on TV, then I’ll watch it each single time.
Effectively, on condition that the film is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, I really received to see Jaws on the massive display for the primary time, and let me let you know, it was one thing else. As a result of regardless that I’ve seen the film on numerous events (I’ve even watched the middling sequels), there’s simply one thing about seeing what’s typically known as “the primary blockbuster” on the massive display that makes it much more particular.
However why is it extra particular watching it on an enormous display? Effectively, you’re about to search out out.
First Off, I am Used To Jaws Being A Small Movie Since I’ve Solely Watched It On A Tv
You recognize what’s loopy? I’m used to Jaws being a small film. What I imply is, I’ve by no means seen it on an enormous display. And, after I say a “huge display,” I don’t imply on the films. I imply, I’ve by no means seen it on a “huge display” TV. I’ve solely seen it on comparatively small screens. As an illustration, the final time I watched it was on my flight to Japan, to which I considered it on the again of any person else’s headrest.
And let me let you know. Given the tiny earplugs they offer you, I couldn’t even hear the film. Fortunately, I’m so acquainted with the movie that I didn’t want to listen to it to know what was happening. Nevertheless it’s felony not to have the ability to expertise that nice scene with Robert Shaw speaking about his character being stalked by sharks. I imply, after I watched it on the airplane, it didn’t even have any subtitle choice!
However seeing it on the massive display modified all of that. For one factor, I went to a closed caption screening (since I’m a type of individuals who at all times makes use of subtitles), so I even received to learn Quint’s haunting USS Indianapolis story. It is also simply a lot stronger on an enormous display.
In truth, the story itself felt bigger, too. Like I mentioned earlier, the Jaws films sort of at all times felt small to me, however, like Star Wars, Jaws can work on a small display, positive, however it’s SO MUCH BETTER on an enormous display, as a result of it makes this story really feel enormous. It’s now going to be laborious for me to return to watching Jaws on a tiny display once more, however I suppose I’ll handle.
The Sea Is So A lot Bigger (And Scarier!) On The Massive Display
I’m going to allow you to in on a bit of secret. I can’t swim. So, in the event you can think about {that a} pool is frightening to me, simply take into consideration how I really feel across the ocean. I really feel powerless! Totally and utterly powerless. And that’s simply standing in it. I haven’t even talked about my thalassophobia, which is the concern of deep our bodies of water. I’m afraid of what’s in the ocean, as something could possibly be down there (so don’t even trouble asking me to play Subtautica. That sport will actually give me nightmares).
Which is one other factor! I’ve watched Jaws so many occasions, however I by no means discovered it scary. I do know it’s one of many few horror films to be nominated for Greatest Image, however I used to be by no means really bothered by it…till, that’s, I noticed it on the massive display. And now I perceive!
It’s as a result of the ocean feels so huge – so unconquerable! – on the massive display. I’ve been on boats earlier than, and I’m normally not too unnerved by them, however Jaws’s expansive ocean on the massive display unnerves the hell out of me as a result of I KNOW there’s a killer shark residing beneath its floor. This straight faucets into my thalassophobia, as seeing it on the massive display actually provides me the impression of simply how immense (and scary!) the ocean is.
Which is one thing you simply don’t really feel on a small display. So, seeing it within the movie show really made a film that I’ve seen a number of occasions scary for me. Think about that!
Plus, The Characters Are Bigger Than Life Now
Only a few films have characters nearly as good as Jaws does. Sure, there actually aren’t that a lot of them, however Matt Hooper, Chief Brody, Quint, and even the Mayor who refuses to shut the seashore are all phenomenal characters. I’ve at all times thought so. They only appear so actual to me, regardless that all of them really feel a bit of outlandish. My son even calls Richard Dreyfuss’s character, “the foolish man,” for all of his rash choices.
I by no means actually envisioned them as being bigger than life, nevertheless. Seeing them on my tv has at all times made them really feel like they have been caught in these tiny areas. For instance, at any time when they’re on The Orca, they appear so cramped and confined. However, on the massive display, they appear like giants. Particularly Quint. As quickly as you see him consuming chips within the nook of the room, he appears to take up the complete area.
Even all the youngsters and people who find themselves mendacity on the seashore, afraid to enter the water, appear a lot bigger and actual to me. And, would you like a actual instance of how the characters really feel a lot bigger on the massive display for me? Effectively, you understand that well-known jumpscare? I’ve seen it a number of occasions, and it doesn’t scare me anymore. Nevertheless, it scared me this time! It is principally due to Hooper’s response on that huge display.
All of it. All of it simply works so significantly better on the theater, and the characters are significantly better on this display than my smaller one at residence. The characters aren’t the one ones who’re greater.
Bruce Is Greater, Too!
If you understand something about Jaws, you doubtless know that the mechanical shark that was used within the film is nicknamed Bruce. Apparently, it was named after Spielberg’s lawyer, and the title simply caught.
Effectively, like every part else I’ve talked about up to now, I by no means actually discovered Bruce scary. I’ll say that the most effective moments of the movie have been at all times those the place you didn’t see him, as simply imagining him was scary sufficient. When he did ultimately emerge from the ocean, he definitely made his presence felt.
That mentioned, Bruce was at all times the weakest facet of the movie at any time when I watched Jaws on TV. That scene towards the top, the place Bruce is actually on high of The Orca, and all people is sliding towards his mouth, was at all times simply ridiculous to me. That second (Regardless of the tragic loss of life of Quint) is nonetheless the weakest second of the movie for me, huge display however.
Nevertheless, all the opposite moments that I by no means actually liked with Bruce I favored much more when seeing it within the theater. Like when Hooper is within the shark cage, and Bruce is coming proper for him. That scene is horrifying on the massive display! Or once they’re attempting to connect the barrels to Bruce, and his monumental fin is dragging them alongside. All of those moments are extra terrifying on the massive display.
In truth, the most effective factor concerning the film may need simply been seeing it with a crowd of individuals, as I’ve by no means finished that earlier than. It actually was one thing else. So, right here’s to a different 50 years!