That this dull as desalinated water, lifeless, mindless action adventure movie made money is testimony to Americans loyalty to trusted brands even when they go south on them. Talking, of course, of the Benchley brand that produced "Jaws", the mindless action adventure of two summers previous that was anything but lifeless. I think that's why Robert Shaw is in the film, playing a crusty diver/treasure hunter. It's Peter Benchley telling the audience "Don't worry. This one may not have sharks but it's got Quint, plus it has something 'Jaws' didn't have; namely eye candy." And if audience members didn't stop to think, "If a movie is truly suspenseful and thrilling and scary then it doesn't need Jackie Bisset's bod" it's only because they were too busy saying to themselves "It's no 'Jaws' but what the hell? It's a Benchley and it's fun". Sic transit Barnum. C minus.
