Jaws: The Revenge
Jaws: The Revenge
After another deadly shark attack, Ellen Brody decides she has had enough of New England's Amity Island and moves to the Caribbean to join her son, Michael, and his family. But a great white shark has followed her there, hungry for more lives.
匚卂尺ㄥ reviewedFebruary 26, 2025
"Jaws: The Revenge," released in 1987 and directed by Joseph Sargent, is the fourth and final installment in the "Jaws" series. Despite the legacy of the original 1975 "Jaws," which is considered a classic and a pioneer of the modern blockbuster, "Jaws: The Revenge" is widely regarded as one of the weakest entries in the franchise. The film has been criticized for its implausible plot, subpar special effects, and lackluster performances.
The plot of "Jaws: The Revenge" follows Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary), the widow of Chief Martin Brody, who believes that a great white shark is targeting her family as revenge for the deaths of previous sharks in the series. After her son Sean (Mitchell Anderson) is killed by a shark in Amity Island, Ellen travels to the Bahamas to be with her surviving son, Michael (Lance Guest), his wife Carla (Karen Young), and their daughter Thea (Judith Barsi). Despite the warm and shallow waters of the Bahamas being an unlikely habitat for great white sharks, the vengeful shark follows Ellen, leading to a climactic confrontation.
One of the major criticisms of "Jaws: The Revenge" is its implausible and far-fetched plot. The idea of a shark deliberately seeking revenge on a specific family is widely considered to be absurd, even within the context of a horror thriller. The narrative stretches the suspension of disbelief to the breaking point, resulting in a storyline that lacks coherence and credibility.
The special effects in the film, particularly the depiction of the shark, have also been criticized for their poor quality. Unlike the suspenseful and realistic portrayal of the shark in the original "Jaws," the mechanical shark in "Jaws: The Revenge" appears unconvincing and often unintentionally humorous. The limited movement and obvious artificiality of the shark detract from any sense of tension or fear that the film attempts to generate.
Performance-wise, Lorraine Gary's return as Ellen Brody is notable, but her character's actions and motivations are often unconvincing. The supporting cast, including Michael Caine as the charming pilot Hoagie, does little to elevate the material. Caine himself has famously joked about the film, stating, "I have never seen it, but by all accounts, it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific."
The film's direction and pacing are also lacking, with many scenes feeling drawn out or unnecessary. The attempt to recapture the suspense and horror of the original "Jaws" falls flat, as the film fails to build any genuine tension or emotional investment in the characters' plight.
"Jaws: The Revenge" was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and audiences upon its release. It was a commercial disappointment and is often cited as one of the worst sequels in film history. Despite its connection to a beloved classic, the film's numerous flaws make it a forgettable and regrettable addition to the "Jaws" franchise.
Overall, "Jaws: The Revenge" is a poorly executed sequel that fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessor. Its implausible plot, subpar special effects, and lackluster performances make it a disappointing and largely forgettable entry in the "Jaws" series. I would rate "Jaws: The Revenge" 1 out of 5 stars for its failure to deliver a compelling or entertaining continuation of the iconic shark saga.