2. The Characters
Jaws creates the image of a picturesque, ideal seaside town perfectly. Brody and his family are instantly very likable people and Brody becomes our central hero very quickly. His determination is perfectly balanced against the relative apathy of the Mayor, who we in turn learn is a major ass. The residents of Amity are brilliantly quaint - right down to the careless fishermen. Then we meet the charismatic Hooper and the disgustingly comical Quint, who you cannot help but love. Deep Blue Sea creates a great contrast in itself between the scientists and the non-scientists. Doctors Susan and Jim are very clinical and deadpan, focused on their work, while the comic relief and common sense comes from the other characters, such as Chef Preacher, shark wrangler Carter and businessman Russell. These characters are a bit more obvious in their roles than those of Jaws, but they still accomplish them very well. A very close call between the two, but the point must go to Jaws. The dynamic flow of the trio on board the Orca and the brilliantly funny exchange between Brody, Hooper and the Mayor midway through the film clinches it, although I feel a special mention is in order for the greatest character in either film: Bird the parrot and his profanity-fuelled rants.
Total: Jaws (2) Deep Blue Sea (0)