Jaws @ 50 The Definitive Story review: Steven Spielberg's shark saga still has bite

India Today

6 days ago

It's been half a century since 'Jaws' first made us terrified of the ocean - and honestly, we're still not over it. Steven Spielberg's 1975 thriller didn't just give us one of cinema's most iconic lines ('You're gonna need a bigger boat'), it rewrote the rules of blockbuster filmmaking forever.So when 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Story' dropped, it wasn't just another documentary - it felt like a long-overdue love letter to a film that defined an era.The documentary opens with Steven Spielberg himself, now a seasoned legend, recounting the almost accidental way he landed the project. He spotted Peter Benchley's bestselling novel 'Jaws' lying on a producer's desk and picked it up.Little did he know that this moment would change his life, and the trajectory of Hollywood, forever. In classic Spielberg humour, he admits that when he first saw the title 'Jaws', he thought it was a 'history of dentistry'. Safe to say, it wasn't.advertisementThis documentary is not your standard behind-the-scenes snoozefest. It's slick, gripping, and packed with bite (pun intended). Whether you're a hardcore fan who's memorised every frame or someone who watched the film during a random Sunday rerun and got hooked, this documentary serves up something for everyone.From the get-go, it pulls you into the whirlwind that was the making of 'Jaws'. We're talking mechanical sharks that wouldn't swim, a young Spielberg trying to hold it all together, and a production so chaotic it's a miracle the film was even finished.The interviews are gold - raw, witty, and often emotional. Spielberg himself reflects on the pressure and madness of it all with the kind of candour that only comes with age (and a few Oscars in the bag).
The docu doesn't just rely on Spielberg's anecdotes. It pulls in everyone from filmmakers James Cameron to JJ Abrams, actor and a self-proclaimed 'Jaws' fan, Emily Blunt, to shark biologists, oceanographers, screenwriters, authors, and film critics.The result is a rich, multi-dimensional look at 'Jaws' - how it blurred the line between art and panic, and how it left a permanent mark on film history and marine biology awareness.Watch the trailer of the documentary here: One line that lingers long after the credits roll is when Spielberg says he wanted the film to feel 'realistically brutal.' And he nailed it.'Jaws' wasn't just about fear, it was about dread creeping in, slow and inevitable, much like the shark itself. And despite all odds (and a literal ocean working against them), the film made a massive splash: $14 million in its first week, and as of 2024, it's the first film to cross the $100 billion mark in lifetime revenue.Not bad for a movie whose lead antagonist was a plastic shark with mechanical tantrums.What really makes this documentary shine is how it weaves nostalgia with insight. It doesn't just fangirl over the film's success; it breaks down why it worked. The documentary gets into the nitty-gritty of John Williams' iconic score - those two ominous notes that made an entire generation afraid of swimming. It explores how 'Jaws' pioneered summer blockbusters before the term even existed.advertisementThere's also a strong emotional undercurrent, which hits surprisingly hard. You see the cast and crew - now much older - look back on the experience with a mix of pride and disbelief. Richard Dreyfuss's anecdotes are hilarious as always. The documentary doesn't shy away from the tough bits either - the production nightmares, the near career-ending pressure, and the unpredictable sea that became a character of its own.Visually, the documentary balances sleek editing with restored retro footage. You get sun-drenched beaches, chaotic BTS reels, and stunning underwater shots. The commentary is whip-smart without being pretentious. And if you're someone who loves a good Hollywood origin story with all its blood, sweat, and sea water - this is your goldmine.'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' is an absolute treat. It's part tribute, part time-capsule, and a full-on celebration of the film that redefined Hollywood. Whether you're a Spielberg stan, a film nerd, or just someone who loves a good story told well, this one's worth the dive.'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' is streaming on JioHotstar, Peacock and Hulu.- Ends4 out of 5 stars for 'Jaws @ 50 The Definitive Inside Story'