MEMORIES:
Mikey remembers...This movie is sadly looked upon as being one of the worst movies of all time. I am a fan ... More »
Posted on 02/08/08
PHOTOS:
Jaws 3-D was a marginal success, but executives at Universal wondered if a more traditional Jaws sequel might revive the franchise. Lorraine Gary returned, providing a carry-over from the first two films. (Roy Scheider was offered a chance to appear, but declined, reportedly because his character was scripted to be killed off.)
Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary) and her son Sean (Mitchell Anderson) prepare for their family to arrive in Amity for Christmas. Sean, who now occupies his late father’s position as Chief of Police, is called to remove a wood piling that is blocking a channel. He gets into a small police launch, and while trying to fix the problem, he is attacked and killed by a great white shark.
Ellen identifies the body, then grieves with her remaining son Mike (Lance Guest) and his family. She agrees to join them as they return to the Bahamas, where Mike works as a marine biologist. Ellen wants her son to stop his seagoing job, but he insists that sharks are never a problem in the warm Bahamian waters.
Ellen strikes up a friendship with airplane pilot and beach bum Hoagie (Michael Caine). Meanwhile, Mike and his work partner Jake (Mario Van Peebles) track and label conch. Mike encounters a giant white shark. At the very same moment, Ellen senses the impending danger, but is encouraged by Hoagie to shrug it off. Mike and Jake decide to keep their discovery of the shark a secret. They manage to attach a tracking device to the shark’s hide.
Mike’s wife Carla, a sculptor, is about to unveil her latest work. As the ceremony commences, her daughter Thea, riding on a multi-passenger “banana boat” is charged at by the shark, which grabs the woman nearest and devours her. Thea is rescued, and Ellen, now convinced that this shark has a personal vendetta against her family, takes her son’s boat out to face down the villainous fish.
As the above summary indicates, Jaws: The Revenge asked its audience to swallow an awfully far-fetched premise; that a shark could track down members of a specific family, across vast distances, in order to exact a vendetta, presumably revenge for the killing of its immediate ancestors. Virtually every review mocked this story conceit, and the special effects came in for plenty of harsh words as well.
Jaws: The Revenge is widely regarded as one of the worst films of all time, but loyal franchise enthusiasts will point out that it has some redeeming features. Lorraine Gary gives a committed performance as a grieving mother, the musical score by Michael Small is effective, and there are a few suspenseful moments, as well as attractive island cinematography. On the other hand, the distinguished Michael Caine is genially slumming. He was busy shooting this film when he won an Oscar (for Best Supporting Actor, Hannah and Her Sisters) and could not accept the award in person.
In the theatrical release, Mario Van Peeble’s character gets eaten, but due to audience response, additional footage was quickly shot to bring the character back to life. This new ending was added to overseas releases and home video versions.
