Preparing for the newly released sequel I watched the original film having heard good things and there were some but having seen Jaws one too many times and trying to suffer through its bad sequels (with the exception of Jaws 2 which I have a soft spot for as being a decent sequel) this was hard to get involved in and hold my attention.
For starters although the performances were fine none of the characters were as interesting as they were in Jaws.
Spielberg knew when he made his 1975 classic that the human characters have to sustain interest aside from the shark.
Unfortunately Jon Turteltaub who has made some good films in the past failed to get that right here.
While You Were Sleeping his 1995 romcom was familiar and cliched as this film is but Turteltaub made it interesting because his characters were likable and interesting.
Here it seems more focused on action and special effects.
That approach can work if some freshness is brought to the table Speed was an action movie that did that well but there isn't much fresh or original here that I got involved with.
It's a decent film but also a very forgettable one that will not have the same effect on me as Jaws did.
Nice effort to be sure but if you have seen Jaws or any other shark movie you know this genre has produced far better films.
Even Piranha and it's 2010 remake were both Jaws knockoffs but like Spielberg's masterpiece there was enough engaging material even when the creature wasn't onscreen.
Suffice to say I am not really looking forward to Meg 2 but will go in with low expectations and an open mind.
Still this story has been done so many tiles that I think we need a break from shark movies.
For starters although the performances were fine none of the characters were as interesting as they were in Jaws.
Spielberg knew when he made his 1975 classic that the human characters have to sustain interest aside from the shark.
Unfortunately Jon Turteltaub who has made some good films in the past failed to get that right here.
While You Were Sleeping his 1995 romcom was familiar and cliched as this film is but Turteltaub made it interesting because his characters were likable and interesting.
Here it seems more focused on action and special effects.
That approach can work if some freshness is brought to the table Speed was an action movie that did that well but there isn't much fresh or original here that I got involved with.
It's a decent film but also a very forgettable one that will not have the same effect on me as Jaws did.
Nice effort to be sure but if you have seen Jaws or any other shark movie you know this genre has produced far better films.
Even Piranha and it's 2010 remake were both Jaws knockoffs but like Spielberg's masterpiece there was enough engaging material even when the creature wasn't onscreen.
Suffice to say I am not really looking forward to Meg 2 but will go in with low expectations and an open mind.
Still this story has been done so many tiles that I think we need a break from shark movies.
