Ep. 45: Joe Alves's "Jaws 3D" (1983)

Screams & Streams

Can you really take Joe Alves's Jaws 3D seriously? Join us on Screams and Streams as we question the necessity of this 1983 follow-up to Spielberg's classic. We kick things off with a plot summary from Mike, setting the stage for our discussion about the Brody brothers' mission to rescue SeaWorld from a gigantic shark. Sam expresses her surprise at the film’s abysmally low score on Rotten Tomatoes—11%!—and admits she found it unexpectedly enjoyable. Meanwhile, Mike's childhood nostalgia takes a hit upon rewatching, and Chad pulls no punches in expressing his loathing for this poorly executed sequel.
We then dive into the cringe-worthy moments that make Jaws 3D both laughable and frustrating. From awkward character portrayals to the poorly executed 3D effects, we leave no stone unturned. Chad leads the charge in highlighting bizarre character choices, like the British underwater photographer's needless boasting and the cowboy boots-wearing oddball. Our critique extends to the film's reliance on outdated 3D technology, particularly in those infamously bad underwater scenes and the shark explosion finale. We also discuss the problematic depiction of captive animals and the tired trope of sharks as menacing villains.
In our concluding chapters, we analyze the relationships and interactions within the film, pointing out the various missed opportunities and inconsistencies. Despite some effective moments, like a suspenseful underwater sequence and a realistically depicted shark attack wound, the film falls flat in many areas. We wrap things up by sharing our individual ratings, and discuss the movie’s overall watchability. Despite its many flaws, we find humor in its absurdity, making it an entertaining film to mock. Follow us on social media and visit our website for more insights and future recommendations!

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Chapter

1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Film Intro & Plot Summary (00:00:54)

3. Sinister Sip (00:01:10)

4. First Impressions (00:02:16)

5. Tropes Hall of Shame (00:06:19)

6. One Liners (00:10:16)

7. What Doesn't Hold Up? (00:15:12)

8. Most Gratuitous Scene (00:20:13)

9. Terrifying or Titillating (00:21:40)

10. Stood the Test of Time (00:22:02)

11. Eerie to Ear Splitting (00:23:04)

12. WTF? Moment (00:24:08)

13. Back It Up Moments (00:27:13)

14. Hiding In the Shadows (00:28:35)

15. Bonus Features (00:29:23)

16. Watchability Scale (00:35:00)