Jaws 2
Police chief Brody must protect the citizens of Amity after a second monstrous shark begins terrorizing the waters.
Despite a moderate budget of $20.0M, Jaws 2 became a massive hit, earning $187.9M worldwide—a remarkable 839% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Martin Brody
Ellen Brody
Mike Brody
Sean Brody
Len Peterson
Larry Vaughn
Main Cast & Characters
Martin Brody
Played by Roy Scheider
Amity Island police chief haunted by the first shark attack, now facing another great white threat while struggling with PTSD and town resistance.
Ellen Brody
Played by Lorraine Gary
Martin's supportive wife who worries about her husband's obsession with shark threats and their sons' safety.
Mike Brody
Played by Mark Gruner
The Brody's teenage son, aspiring sailor who becomes directly threatened by the shark during a boating trip with friends.
Sean Brody
Played by Marc Gilpin
The younger Brody son who overcomes his fear of water while facing the new shark threat.
Len Peterson
Played by Joseph Mascolo
Deputy and Martin's loyal colleague who tries to support him despite town pressure.
Larry Vaughn
Played by Murray Hamilton
Amity's mayor who once again prioritizes tourism over safety, dismissing Brody's shark warnings.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Amity Island is peaceful and thriving again after the shark attacks, with tourists returning and the community rebuilding. Chief Brody is on patrol, ensuring safety.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Divers investigating the wreck of the Orca are killed by another great white shark. Their burnt boat is found but the cause is unclear, though Brody suspects another shark.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Brody closes the beaches based on his shark evidence, making an active choice to fight for safety despite opposition. This decision puts his job and family's livelihood at risk., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The shark kills a female water skier in a dramatic attack. This confirms Brody was right all along, but he has already lost his badge and credibility. False defeat: he was right but no one will listen., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Multiple teens are killed by the shark and boats are destroyed. The kids are stranded and helpless. Brody arrives too late by helicopter but crashes into power lines, nearly dying. All seems lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Brody realizes he must lure the shark away from the kids to Cable Junction, using himself as bait. He synthesizes his knowledge of the shark's behavior with desperate courage to make a plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jaws 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Jaws 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeannot Szwarc utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jaws 2 within the adventure genre.
Jeannot Szwarc's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jeannot Szwarc films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jaws 2 exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jeannot Szwarc filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Jeannot Szwarc analyses, see Santa Claus: The Movie, Supergirl.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Amity Island is peaceful and thriving again after the shark attacks, with tourists returning and the community rebuilding. Chief Brody is on patrol, ensuring safety.
Theme
Mayor Vaughn tells Brody, "We can't live in fear forever," establishing the theme of trauma versus moving forward and the cost of ignoring danger for normalcy.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Brody's family life with teenage sons Mike and Sean, the rebuilt tourist economy, and Brody's hypervigilance about water safety that others see as paranoia.
Disruption
Divers investigating the wreck of the Orca are killed by another great white shark. Their burnt boat is found but the cause is unclear, though Brody suspects another shark.
Resistance
Brody investigates the deaths and finds evidence of shark activity. He debates closing the beaches again but faces resistance from town officials who fear economic devastation. He photographs what he believes is a shark.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Brody closes the beaches based on his shark evidence, making an active choice to fight for safety despite opposition. This decision puts his job and family's livelihood at risk.
Mirror World
Brody's relationship with his teenage son Mike deepens as Mike wants independence (sailing with friends) while Brody wants to protect him, mirroring the town's desire for freedom versus safety.
Premise
Brody hunts for proof of the shark while the town council turns against him. A false alarm with a school of fish humiliates him. The shark continues killing in secret. Brody is fired from his position.
Midpoint
The shark kills a female water skier in a dramatic attack. This confirms Brody was right all along, but he has already lost his badge and credibility. False defeat: he was right but no one will listen.
Opposition
The teenagers, including Mike and Sean Brody, take sailboats out for a day trip. The shark begins stalking and attacking the boats one by one, isolating and terrorizing the kids in open water.
Collapse
Multiple teens are killed by the shark and boats are destroyed. The kids are stranded and helpless. Brody arrives too late by helicopter but crashes into power lines, nearly dying. All seems lost.
Crisis
The surviving teenagers drift in the wreckage, exhausted and terrified. Brody is injured but swims to find his sons. The shark circles, preparing for a final attack. Death seems inevitable.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Brody realizes he must lure the shark away from the kids to Cable Junction, using himself as bait. He synthesizes his knowledge of the shark's behavior with desperate courage to make a plan.
Synthesis
Brody leads the shark to Cable Junction and electrifies the water by feeding a power cable into the shark's mouth as it attacks. The shark is electrocuted and killed, saving the teenagers.
Transformation
Brody and the teenagers sail safely back to shore together. Brody has transformed from a traumatized man fighting alone to a vindicated protector who saved his sons and their friends through courage.