Jaws: The Revenge
Michael Small
" Jaws - The Small version "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Jaws: The Revenge was destined to become the last Jaws film, not only because it gave Ellen Brody (actress Lorraine Gary's final film) the chance to get rid of that damn shark that was eating up every one of her family members possible. But even more so it was destined because it simply ridiculed several class A actors all too obviously (hello Michael Caine??). Plus the fact Jaws 3 didn't do too brilliantly with critics anyway, and Jaws 4 even needed 2 different endings to get the job done. For the music Michael Small was given the honor to play around with John Williams' iconic 2 note theme for the last time (ode's and spoofs not accounted for).
And what an honor he bestows upon Williams' theme in "Jaws The Revenge - Main Title", one of the most powerful eruptions ever in which remains (strangely enough) my most favorite opening of all the Jaws scores. The 2 note motif for the shark that approaches is of course omnipresent too, but more frequently used is a growling motif that stands for the danger itself (opening the score too). The score itself is full of short tracks, leaving little time for development. Small does enough with them, but the development of any themes or even danger is often too short for any powerful conclusion. "Ellen Goes Out to Sea" and "Michael Runs for Help" are good examples of powerful heroic music drenched in the rhythm and style of Williams (alas both 1 minute in time). Too bad the ending "Shocked Shark / The Finish" has absolutely no climax at all (not like say the first 2 Jaws scores where you could hear the final blow coming a mile away).
Jaws: The Revenge is decent and occasionally great to listen to. But naturally it lacks the Williams magic to tie it all together. The short tracks don't help either, but that killer opening continues to win some points for me each time I hear it.
Track Listing
1. Jaws The Revenge - Main Title (2.30) Excellent track
2. Sean Attacked (1.31)
3. Identification (0.42)
4. Run / Funeral (1.19)
5. Flight to the Bahamas (1.38)
6. Ellen Warns (0.37)
7. Ellen's Dream (1.05)
8. Tagging the Conchs (1.33)
9. Ellen Plays With Leah (1.07)
10. Jaws the Revenge (0.30)
11. Ellen Flies Plane (1:34)
12. Shark Attacks Jake in Sled (0.57)
13. Don't Tell Mother (0.29)
14. Saying Goodnight (0.46)
15. Shark Takes Bait (1.44)
16. Runaway Bay (4.11)
17. Alright Mr. Fish (0.32)
18. Michael's Dream (0.44)
19. Peek-A-Boo (1.25)
20. Picking Up Signals (0.42)
21. Michael Attacked by Shark (2.32)
22. Michael at Mirror (0.52)
23. Moray Eel (1.03)
24. Banana Boat (Revised Ending) (1.27)
25. Ellen Goes Out to Sea (1.14)
26. Michael Runs For Help (1.03)
27. Plane Buzzes Shark (1.28)
28. Is Hoagie Dead? (0.58)
29. Killing of Jake (1.39)
30. Shocked Shark / The Finish (5.44)
31. Jaws The Revenge - End Credits (2.22)
Bonus Tracks
32. Flight to the Bahamas (Alternate Take) (1.36)
33. Shark Attacks Jake in Sled (Alternate Take) (0.55)
34. Banana Boat (Original Ending) (1.29)
Total Length: 51.13
And what an honor he bestows upon Williams' theme in "Jaws The Revenge - Main Title", one of the most powerful eruptions ever in which remains (strangely enough) my most favorite opening of all the Jaws scores. The 2 note motif for the shark that approaches is of course omnipresent too, but more frequently used is a growling motif that stands for the danger itself (opening the score too). The score itself is full of short tracks, leaving little time for development. Small does enough with them, but the development of any themes or even danger is often too short for any powerful conclusion. "Ellen Goes Out to Sea" and "Michael Runs for Help" are good examples of powerful heroic music drenched in the rhythm and style of Williams (alas both 1 minute in time). Too bad the ending "Shocked Shark / The Finish" has absolutely no climax at all (not like say the first 2 Jaws scores where you could hear the final blow coming a mile away).
Jaws: The Revenge is decent and occasionally great to listen to. But naturally it lacks the Williams magic to tie it all together. The short tracks don't help either, but that killer opening continues to win some points for me each time I hear it.
Track Listing
1. Jaws The Revenge - Main Title (2.30) Excellent track
2. Sean Attacked (1.31)
3. Identification (0.42)
4. Run / Funeral (1.19)
5. Flight to the Bahamas (1.38)
6. Ellen Warns (0.37)
7. Ellen's Dream (1.05)
8. Tagging the Conchs (1.33)
9. Ellen Plays With Leah (1.07)
10. Jaws the Revenge (0.30)
11. Ellen Flies Plane (1:34)
12. Shark Attacks Jake in Sled (0.57)
13. Don't Tell Mother (0.29)
14. Saying Goodnight (0.46)
15. Shark Takes Bait (1.44)
16. Runaway Bay (4.11)
17. Alright Mr. Fish (0.32)
18. Michael's Dream (0.44)
19. Peek-A-Boo (1.25)
20. Picking Up Signals (0.42)
21. Michael Attacked by Shark (2.32)
22. Michael at Mirror (0.52)
23. Moray Eel (1.03)
24. Banana Boat (Revised Ending) (1.27)
25. Ellen Goes Out to Sea (1.14)
26. Michael Runs For Help (1.03)
27. Plane Buzzes Shark (1.28)
28. Is Hoagie Dead? (0.58)
29. Killing of Jake (1.39)
30. Shocked Shark / The Finish (5.44)
31. Jaws The Revenge - End Credits (2.22)
Bonus Tracks
32. Flight to the Bahamas (Alternate Take) (1.36)
33. Shark Attacks Jake in Sled (Alternate Take) (0.55)
34. Banana Boat (Original Ending) (1.29)
Total Length: 51.13