Why Joe Dante’s ‘Piranha’ is So Much More than a ‘Jaws’ Rip-Off
I’ve heard Piranha referred to as a ‘Jaws rip-off’ a number of times. And while it’s true that the film capitalizes on the aquatic horror trend kicked off by Jaws, Piranha is a so much more than a Jaws imposter. Moreover, I think it’s a bit unfair and reductive to call the film Jaws rip-off in the first place. We don’t routinely refer to Insidious as a Poltergeist rip-off, even though Tobe Hooper laid the groundwork for James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s tale of a child overtaken by supernatural forces. And that’s because replicating a proven formula is the name of the game in the entertainment industry. It has been happening since the dawn of time and will likely continue until the end. With Piranha observing its 45-year release date anniversary on August 3rd, there’s no better time than now to look back on this flick and celebrate its collective merits.
Piranha follows skip tracer Maggie McKeown (the late Heather Menzies-Urich) as she travels to a resort town in search of a couple of missing teenagers. Her quest leads her to an abandoned military research facility. Once there, Maggie accidentally sets a school of genetically engineered piranha loose. After making their escape, the carnivorous fish proceed to wreak havoc on what was once a tranquil town.
Piranha owes much of its success to its good-natured director, Joe Dante, who leans into the inevitable Jaws comparisons. Immediately following the opening, we cut to an airport with leading lady Maggie playing the (unlicensed) Jaws arcade game. It’s as if Dante is trying to stave off the inevitable accusations that he ripped off Spielberg’s killer shark film and he’s beaten the haters to the punch. Well played, sir.
Also Read: Five of the Best Underrated Aquatic Horror Movies
One key element that differentiates Piranha from Jaws is the tone. Jaws is a fairly serious horror picture. It delivers some pretty terrifying displays of carnage and doesn’t offer a lot in the way of comedic relief. Piranha contains more camp and dark comedy than Spielberg’s killer shark flick. And it’s a very different film because of that distinction.
In addition to a talented director, the picture also benefits from a competent cast of characters. Maggie is a solid protagonist. She’s a shoot first and ask questions later type. Her cavalier style helps create the mess in which she finds herself. But it’s hard to hold that against her. She’s whimsical, funny, and loyal. Her shortcomings only serve to add to her charm.
Maggie’s quirky charm initially proves to rub her onscreen counterpart, Paul Grogan (the late Bradford Dillman), the wrong way. He’s a rugged type who has escaped to the wilderness to heal from the heartbreak of a divorce and regroup from the loss of his job. But Maggie’s charm eventually gets the better of him and they grow fond of one another in an ‘opposites attract’ kind of way. Paul becomes increasingly endearing to the audience as we learn more about him. He’s a single dad that reads classic literature to his daughter and builds her a raft out of logs, even though she’s terrified of the river.
Also See: From Fear to Folly: The Evolution of ‘Jaws’ and Its Sequels
The entire film is actually populated with likable and colorful characters. Case in point: the town drunk that carries on conversations with his Blue Heeler. There’s a lot of thought that went into the screenplay. Screenwriter Richard Robinson and John Sayles have crafted memorable characters that are almost impossible not to like. Even the secondary and tertiary players bring something to the narrative.
These are the kind of characters that you want to survive. Seeing as we grow attached to these people, watching them succumb to the bloodthirsty fish can be legitimately emotional. That distinction elevates this film above a lot of the output of the grindhouse days. And it certainly serves to make Piranha function as far more than a Jaws clone.
Aside from great characters, the film is also rife with tension. Director Joe Dante crafts atmospheric unease that keeps the audience actively engaged. He uses ominous shots of limbs dangling in the water, a discordant string score (that accentuates nail-biting sequences like the fiasco that unfolds on the raft), and frenetic editing to keep the viewer frazzled.
The tension is augmented by great practical creature effects that might seem slightly dated by today’s standards. But I will gladly take that over modern CGI that tends to make creatures look unnatural and realized with overly fluid movements.
All in, Piranha is a killer aquatic horror flick with a strong cast of characters, solid effects work, intense atmosphere, and a touch of campy humor. I have nothing but praise for it and hope you will show the film some love today.
If you’re keen to rewatch Piranha in celebration of the major anniversary it’s observing, you’re in luck. The flick is streaming via at least half-a-dozen ad-supported VOD providers as of the publication of this post. Hooray!
Categorized:Editorials
