Film A classic for a reason (film)
As what is commonly claimed to be the first ever "summer blockbuster" it would be easy (and understandable) if Jaws fell victim to Hype Backlash. However, this is rarely the case which speaks to just how well the film is made.
The primary reason for the films success is not the (slightly shonky) shark - its the humans. Pretty much every main character and a large number of the secondary ones gets fleshed out. Our main trio is the best example (the rightly legendary Indianapolis speech for instance) but even our prototypical "stupid mayor" type does actually have a good reason for wanting the beach open and a serious Heel Realisation when he realises how badly he's screwed the pooch.
Of course, you can't talk about Jaws without discussing the shark - who especially by today's standards looks rather unconvincing when he finally appears but such is the effectiveness of his earlier half-seen attacks that he remains horrifying. But even the shark gets a modicum of character when our heroes realise this shark is doing things they never even heard of before...
Having watched a cinematic re-release I can honestly say that the film still holds up on the big screen several decades later. And frankly, I think that speaks for itself.
Film The Awesome Grandfather of Blockbusters
My favorite film of all time. Great performances, stellar cinematography, masterful editing, excellent directing from Steven Spielberg and a god tier soundtrack by John Williams make this film an amazing movie that can be watched over and over again. One of the greatest movies ever made and a film that changed the film industry forever. Everything I want from a great movie is present in this film and it will always hold a special place in my heart as a film I grew up with.
All of these things come together to help this movie elevate itself to the masterpiece it is. Jaws balances the mastery of the cinematic awe-factor with believable character interactions and a great collaboration of talented people. The stigma against blockbusters doesn't deserve to be thrown at Jaws since this film actually respects its audience to a surprising level. If this wasn't the case, people could look to criticize the dialogue or the performances or even the music which itself has been parodied to good effect. The closest thing that comes to a detracting criticism leveled against this movie is the shark itself and the implication that this movie justified a massacre against sharks. One, taking into account the setbacks experienced in production and that this isn't a CGI monstrosity I can overlook filmmaking mistakes. As for the later controversy, people need to remember that this is fiction...very well constructed fiction, but fiction.
Anyway, a masterpiece that deserves to be remembered for all time and a great classic that will continue to be remembered and cherished for many generations to come.