Jaws Quadrilogy - Part 3D

After Jaws 2, one would assume that the sequels would stop. The second installment wasn't horrible (at least to me), but there was no way to recreate the feeling or suspense from the first. But it was attempted, and to some mild success. But then in someone's infinite wisdom, a third installment was mentioned. This one was written by Carl Gottlieb (of the first two), Michael Kane, and Richard Matheson, and directed by Joe Alves, and starring Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr, and a young Lea Thompson. This movie was released in 1983, and really, there's nothing nice I can say about this movie.

At the time of Jaws 3's release, the 3D movie boom fad was in full swing. Maybe someone decided it was a good idea to have a 3D shark coming at the audience. Or maybe someone thought it was a good idea to have a severed arm floating at the audience. Either way, there wasn't much thought involved in the plot.

Jaws 3 takes place in SeaWorld (home of marine mammals such as dolphins) and sea shows on skis. Trouble brews when a small Great White Shark strays into the park and begins creating havoc. The shark is caught and displayed, but dies in captivity. Soon, they have a bigger problem on their hands when the shark's mother (yes, you read that right) comes to destroy the killers of her child. As outlandish as that is, get this: the mother is 35 feet long. I can't even make this BS up!

This movie is full of cliches. There is a power-hungry boss who sends an adventure man to kill the large shark with his grenades. There are ecological debates throughout the movie. New cliches break forth in this movie in the hopes of scaring the audience rather than stick with science, such as chasing the skiers at breakneck speeds (a trait begun in the 2nd, but made somewhat believable, and filmed well too). But the worst part is the breaking with science. The first Jaws was all about the science - what's real is scarier than what's fiction. The second began to break from that, but was still mostly science-oriented. The third completely breaks from that just to create excitement and terror... instead only creating hilarity.

The acting is just as bad as anything else in this movie. The cast obviously knew it was starring in some major crap. Nothing of positive memories can be thought of with this movie. It is all about "ohh scary shark!" which takes away from any reality that there could've been.

A big change for the quadrilogy is that we are no longer on Amity Island. This entire movie takes place in SeaWorld. Also gone is Chief Brody, although you do see Martin Brody in the background in two scenes, since he is now working for SeaWorld. The story centers on the kids: Michael and Sean. Michael works for SeaWorld, and Sean comes to visit. Michael is the main one that has to deal with the shark (a theme for the next Jaws movie too). Sean has somehow developed a southern accent and looks like a cowboy; interesting for a guy who comes from Amity... where's the New England accent?

By far the worst part of this movie is the "special effects". Because this movie is meant to be in 3D, certain elements are not in the film, they are added. This makes them look like they are popping off the screen at the audience. The submersible, severed limbs, and sharks are usually what are in this category. But if you watch this movie in 2D, which is the only way it's available now, you will see how poor their techniques were. Because the stand out images are not included in the original film, but added for effect, sometimes, parts of them disappear! The bottom of the submersible disappears when it makes a turn. Also, when the shark is coming at the audience near the end, it isn't swimming: it's just getting closer. One could say it's coasting, but not even the mouth moves. It is so obviously not a real shark that it's painful to watch.

In my opinion, the third Jaws movie is not only the worst of the quadrilogy, but one of the worst blockbuster movies ever made. There really is nothing positive I can say about it, and even talking about it this much is making me ill. It is difficult for any film fan to watch because it's so bad. Good luck watching it. You might want some liquor first. At least then it'll be hilarious.

Here's the trailer, which shows nothing... thankfully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=636cMq0PFT4