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Jaws 2

year 1978decade 70sdirector Jeannot Szwarcgenre Suspensegenre Dramagenre Thriller

117 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Roy Scheider [Martin] Brody
Lorraine Gary Ellen Brody
Murray Hamilton Mayor [Larry] Vaughan
Joseph Mascolo [Len] Peterson
Jeffrey Kramer [Jeff] Hendricks
Collin Wilcox-Horne Dr. Elkins
Ann Dusenberry Tina [Wilcox]
Mark Gruner Mike [Brody]
Barry Coe [Tom] Andrews
Susan French Old lady
Gary Springer Andy [Nicholas]
Donna Wilkes Jackie
Marc Gilpin Sean [Brody]
Ben Marley Patrick
Gigi Vorgan Brooke [Peters]
Jerry M. Baxter Helicopter pilot
Jean Coulter Ski boat driver
Daphne Dibble Swimmer #1
Christine Freeman Water skier [Terry]
April Gilpin Renee
William Griffith Lifeguard
Greg Harris Diver #2
Susan O. McMillan Girl sailor
David Owsley Boy sailor
Oneida Rollins Ambulance driver
Frank Sparks Diver #1
Thomas A. Stewart Assistant dive master [Sparky]
David Tintle Swimmer #2
Jim Wilson Swimmer with child
Kathy Wilson Mrs. Bryant
Herbert Muller Phil Fogarty
Jane Courtney Select woman
Al Wilde Select man #1
Cyprien (Phil) Dube Select man #2
Mary A. Gaffney Mrs. Silvera

Jaws 2 | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeckproducer Jack Sanders
Explore episodeClose episode

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

USS Indianapolis prequel; shark anthology

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:09Read transcript
  • A Quint/USS Indianapolis prequel and an anthology of shark attacks are preferred franchise possibilities; Spielberg might have been more interested than in another Brody encounter.
  • The Indianapolis prequel is endorsed again; credit for the first film’s speech and proposed prequel screenplay remains disputed among Sackler, Milius and Gottlieb.
  • Hypothetical extravagant modern casting, jellyfish hazards inspired by an uncle’s service story, and an Oppenheimer-to-Indianapolis connection extend the prequel pitch.

What’s Aged the Best?

Williams score; teen beach culture; 908 code; beach montage; lighthouses; visible shark

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:02Read transcript
  • John Williams’s returning score and prolific contemporary work are praised.
  • Beach guitars and teenage socializing, including illicit stashed beers.
  • Brody’s 908 rescue code and the nostalgic beach montage before the tower scene.
  • Translating cruising-car culture into sailboats produces an appealing group hangout.
  • Tina’s shark scream, lighthouses and showing the shark often; the already-uniformed household help also prompts questions about the Brodys’ finances.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Eddie’s death; boat self-immolation; helicopter attack

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:58Read transcript
  • Happy sailing introductions and the prolonged water-skier attack; the latter reportedly gave the replacement director a self-contained sequence while the script was rewritten.
  • The driver’s accidental gasoline self-immolation is one explicit favorite, with disbelief about her plan.
  • Brody shoots at bluefish near a child, then argues over the shark photograph; the town council has legitimate grounds to question him.
  • Eddie’s death and the breaking boat edge are praised; the performer reportedly needed hurried swimming lessons.
  • The first large sailboat attack, Mike’s injury, helicopter destruction and Marge’s death are praised.
  • Marge’s rescue attempt is defended as altruistic against an argument that jumping toward the shark is foolish; responsibility shifts toward the Brody parents.
  • The electric-cable climax is inventive despite doubtful science; the earlier dredging cable and shark-sound explanation provide setup.
  • Final preferences split among Eddie’s death, the self-immolation and the helicopter; the whole doomed sailing trip is a broad fallback.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Shark-tower stairs; Eddie pulled under; water-skiing wides; bullets by the water; gala crane shot

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:21Read transcript
  • Brody coming down the shark-tower stairs.
  • Eddie pulled under; water-skiing wide shots; Brody picking up bullets beside his son; gala crane shot over the pool.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Larry Vaughn Jr.’s survival and attitude; Mike’s performance and decisions; too many teenagers

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:48Read transcript
  • Larry Vaughn Jr. should have died rather than Marge; Murray Hamilton’s compressed schedule for his wife’s health reportedly explains the mayor’s abrupt exit, though a dissent says his son could still die.
  • Larry Jr.’s taunting Mike about work is objectionable given his father’s earlier conduct.
  • Mark Gruner’s flat performance as Mike and Mike’s irresponsible treatment of his younger brother.
  • Bob’s gruesome death was reportedly removed to avoid an R; too many interchangeable teenagers make the cast difficult to track.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Mayor retaining office; Jackie’s influence on the trip; Jaws 2 ending New Hollywood

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:16Read transcript
  • The mayor retaining office after the first film is called an extreme sequel contrivance; lawsuits and prosecution would be expected.
  • A counterfactual makes hero Brody mayor facing the same financial pressures. A dissent argues corrupt politicians often recover, especially when locals prioritize tourism income.
  • Even if reelected, the mayor’s repeated denial despite disappearances and a burned body strains credibility.
  • Jackie’s arrival fuels the boys’ risky sailing trip; a teen-only story might better explore rivalries and attraction. Boat-sex logistics remain doubtful.
  • Jaws 2’s financial success despite ordinary quality, rather than Jaws or Star Wars themselves, is blamed for ending New Hollywood and entrenching sequel economics.

Apex Mountain

Child cast except Keith Gordon; water-skiing murders; water skiing (disputed)

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:39Read transcript
  • No for Scheider.
  • No for sequels.
  • Lorraine Gary’s peak is Jaws: The Revenge.
  • Donna Wilkes’s peak is Angel.
  • The children except Keith Gordon probably reach their peak here.
  • Yes for water-skiing murders.
  • Water skiing in popular culture is proposed alongside Fonzie’s shark jump, then disputed.
  • No for sharks.
  • No for Murray Hamilton.
  • The poor making-of documentary is enjoyable, but no firm Apex judgment is made.

Cruise or Hanks?

Cruise

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:10Read transcript
  • Young Cruise as Mike is proposed, then challenged because the category should recast Brody; Hanks is the conventional Brody choice.
  • Cruise becomes favored for Brody’s energy, running and unintentionally funny drunkenness, despite an objection to his drunk acting.