The Meg Collection

Jason Statham

Wu Jing

Shuya Sophia Cai

Page Kennedy

Sergio Peris-Mencheta

Sienna Guillory

Cliff Curtis

Skyler Samuels

Melissanthi Mahut

Whoopie van Raam

Kiran Sonia Sawar

Felix Mayr

Guo Tao

Robin Hill

Dai Lele

Ivy Tsui

Stewart Alexander

Able Wanamakok

Xiong Jinyi

Cai Jingjing

Kenneth Won

Longxi

Bai Narisu

Matthew Stirling

Richard Glover

Billy Clements

Jonny James

Enzo di Bonaventura

Sara Dee

Li Xin

Goran Lečić

Dean Georgaris

Lorenzo di Bonaventura

Erich Hoeber

Jon Hoeber

Kenneth Atchity

Steve Alten

Chi-Li Wong

Kelly Lee

Jonathan Amos

Lindsay Pugh

Chris Lowe

Jessica Hooker

Tolga Kenan

Marc Mailley

Inga Fabian

Ying Xujun

Alice Hollingum

John Koukouzis

Tim Wooster

Catherine Heys

John Koutsoulas

Piran John Miller

Ben Saffer

Tom Beltrandi

Randy Greenberg

Cliff Lanning

Sylvia Atkins

Waldo Mason

Mac Montero

Lester Ambrose

Peter Ayriss

Iain Thomson

Luke Redgrave

Saithip Boonyasomphop

Ella Robinson

Oliver Squire

Joe Hopker

Ben Dixon

Jack Ainsworth

Sacha Kovacevic

Stamos Triantafyllos

Ariel Murray-Simmons

Zachary Winnington

Dominique Cheung

Peter Bardsley

Anita Christy

Beth Trinder

Nisa Rizvi

Atchariya Pinitsanpirom

Charlie Reed

Alex Mott

Aphisit 'Pep' Wansri

Dean Thompson

Paul Helm

Dan Lowe

Roseanna Larner

Jami Chan

Mark Layton

Teresa Orlando

Sarah Lochlan

Gerald R. Molen

Haris Zambarloukos

E. Bennett Walsh

Liu Ruifang

Cate Adams

Erik Howsam

Harry Gregson-Williams

Peter Bebb

Lottie Geliot

Theo Morton

Emma Ennis

Rachael Evelyn

Adam Kiani

Belle Avery

Ben Wheatley

Christina Petrou

Yusuf Chaudhri

Chris Rosewarne

Stephen Doyle

Elliot Hawkes

Samuel Hussey

Matthew Bell

Dominic Tuohy

Varpu Kronholm

Action

Science Fiction

Horror

Meg 2: The Trench

Apelles Entertainment

Warner Bros. Pictures

di Bonaventura Pictures

CMC Pictures

Onaroll Productions

DF Pictures

China

United States of America

CinemaSerf

Now the "Meg" (2018) itself could never be called a good film, but it is a great deal better than this muddled and derivative effort. "Jonas" (Jason Statham) is now working as a sort of eco-policeman trying to stop the dumping of toxic waste into the oceans, and after a snappy "007" style opening, he is daringly rescued by "Mac" (Clff Curtis) and "Rigas" (Melissanthu Mahut) and returned to the research centre where he is reunited with "Jess" (Skyler Samuels), "DJ" (Page Kennedy) and the adrenalin seeking "Juiming" (Jing Wu) who are nursing the daughter of the last megalodon! The team now travel to a remote installation where they must investigate some more of the beasties that live below the frozen layer put there by nature to ensure than we don't mix. Thing is, it seems they are not the only folks who've hit on the idea that there might be untapped riches 25,000 feet below the surface, and soon our team are involved in a contretemps with "Montes" (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) that introduces treachery, double-dealing and causes explosions galore that release not just megs, but also an enormous octopus into the ocean where they can merrily terrorise the holidaymakers on the nearby resort of "Fun Island". Can "Jonas" et al manage to take on four of these super-creatures before they've snacked their way through the tourists? This might have been a bit better if they'd just cut all the preamble and gone straight to the rig and to the underwater action, big fish and pyrotechnics. As it is, we spend far too long meandering about on the surface meeting the characters and there's way too much pointless dialogue throughout - though one or two half-hearted witticisms and puns help a little - before an ending that is entirely predictable and really rather processionally so. The acting is just banal, the continuity is all over the place - as is the editing - and the huge chunk of Ali Baba money that's floated this thing ensures that the switches from the English to Chinese languages actually smacks more of keeping everybody happy in the boardroom rather than engaging anyone in the actual cinema. Simply, even the charismatic Statham cannot rescue this from the doldrums of CGI-led mediocrity that churns out an unremarkable hybrid of "Jaws" and "Jurassic Park". It does need a big screen. If you wait til it's on the telly then you will be even more disappointed. Mind you, is that actually possible?

Meg 2 doesn't really feel like a follow up film, to its 2018 counterpart. Indeed, the latest instalment feels more like a platform for various action "stunts". 

The giant,prehistoric shark's are essentially window dressing, for a variety of frenetic action sequences, where things blow up, are torn apart, shot at, harpooned, people gobbled up Jaws and Jurassic Park style and what I can only describe as acrobatic, aquatic scenes with jet ski's and the like, all take place. They even throw in a giant squid, to spice things up. 

Or put more simply, this is a messy mash up, of derivative, often dispirit ideas. Unsurprisingly, the results a bit chaotic, with no compass to direct the viewer, in terms of the story, such as it is. Its quite watchable, in its own way but it never really goes anywhere.

In summary, watchable on a very visually superficial level. Lots of action but little in the way of an established story, to pull the whole thing together.

Pretty tough sitting through this one, especially the first half where a good portion was so dark, maybe to hide the bad visual effects, I couldn't even tell what was going on. There were a few moments of the camp that made the first one at least entertaining, but not enough to keep me engaged. On the plus side, Jason Statham was alright for what he's given, otherwise this just was a waste of time. **2.0/5**

The Meg 2: The Trench is exactly what I expected, and honestly, what I wanted from a movie about giant sharks: campy fun with over-the-top action, sleek visuals, and just enough chaos. The cinematography stood out, especially the camera transitions and underwater shots, which were beautifully done. The special effects carried their weight too, making the whole experience visually exciting.

The pacing worked well. The first act transitioned smoothly into the second, where things started to intensify setting things up well and the intensity ramping up toward the finale. The acting was decent, maybe overacted at times, but it matched the tone of the movie. Sure, the script had its flaws (I mean, swimming normally at 25,000 feet below sea level? Come on), but those issues didn’t ruin the experience unless you’re the type of viewer who’s only there to nitpick.

This movie isn’t meant to be serious or realistic, it’s a popcorn flick through and through. If we judged every movie on plausibility, most would fail spectacularly. The Meg 2 is fun for what it is: a one-time watch that lets you escape into its ridiculous world for a couple of hours.

'Meg 2: The Trench' is rubbish. It's just the original with added (lousy) human antagonists and, eh, a giant octopus? I was zoned out by that point if I'm honest, it's no Kraken from 'Pirates of the Caribbean', that's for sure. Jason Statham is forgettable in this too.

That's a big problem, given he is the glue that ought to hold these films together. In fact, the best person in this flick is Page Kennedy, who is amusing and has one cool fight scene; good (if minimal) character development, that. Sophia Cai and Cliff Curtis remain the best of the rest.

It's just all so dull, I was totally uninterested by the end; I felt my eyes roll hard when they revealed Fun Island, which is practically a carbon copy of what happens at the end of 'The Meg'. With all the negatives noted, it still didn't overtly annoy me; so (narrowly) avoids a lower score.

I forgot, until now, that Ben Wheatley also directed 'Free Fire' (5/10) and 'Kill List' (3/10)... sheesh. Fingers crossed that one day I'll see one of his movies and enjoy it.

English

Under Pressure

The Making of Meg 2: The Trench

Make a Stand

Up from the Depths: Even More Beasts

Get the Fuel

Octopus Attack

Extended Preview

Good Luck

Do you suffer from the following?

Big-A$$ Sharks

BTS from the Depths

Just a few of my fav local spots

Meg on the Thames

Exist

Fun Island

Transmission

Magic

Official Trailer