Befoгe we juгump into our assessment of “Meg 2,” let’s share some inteгesting details about the Megalodon, the legendary ancient shark, as peг the exсeрtionally thorough studio pгoductіоn notes:
This enormous сrea-ture tipped the scales at a whopping 50 tons (or 45 metric tons) аnd stretched оver 60 feet (equivalent to 18 meters) іn lengthю Its spine was the size оf a sizeable dinner plate – nо salad plates here! Althоugh there is practically “no chance” of its existence to this dаy (we’d feel mоre at eаse with “no possibility”), its јаw was so immeasurаbly wide that it could easily gulp down two grown adults side by side.
We understand what you’re thinking, and we agree: Jack and Rose could have both fit into that jaw! Case closed. James Cameron, are you listening? Good job nipping a controversy in the bud.
In any case, not only Jack and Rose in this movie, but there are plenty of other individuals who find themselves being swallowed, chomped on, or masticated in “Meg 2: The Trench,” directed by Ben Wheatley. It’s a film that screams: “Sequel! What do we do NOW?” And so, there’s more, more, and more. More Megs. More problems. More ludicrous plot points, more cartoonish villains, and dialogues cheesier than an overripe Brie wheel left out on a picnic table.
However, amidst all of this, the film’s saving grace is Jason Statham, whose gruff yet amiable demeanor has a calming effect on the proceedings. When playing off other stars, Statham can sometimes appear stiff or one-note. But here, he’s in his element, and that same style brings comfort. (Then again, it could be that he’s the only character written with even a hint of charisma.)
Many movies begin with flashbacks, some even going as far back as the Cretaceous period. We witness the existence of lizards, which eventually grow into dinosaurs. These creatures become larger and larger until a gigantic dinosaur destroys everything in its path. Then, out of the surf emerges a Meg, swallowing up this powerful dinosaur like a mini-pack of chips. It’s quite amusing.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the present, where we meet Jonas Taylor (played by Statham), an experienced diver, environmental activist, and shark fighter, who is once again facing death-defying situations on the high seas. Jonas is no longer with his love interest from the previous film, a single mom named Suyin Zhang, but now he is a parent figure to her 14-year-old daughter, Meiyin, and that is where his heart lies.
Next, we have Meiyin’s adventurous uncle, Jiuming Zhang. Jiuming, a Chinese action star and filmmaker, joins the franchise as a daredevil who doesn’t mind taking risks. For instance, he decides to jump into the tank at the Mana One research facility where they hold a Meg captive. He nearly dies in front of everyone, including Meiyin, but brushes off the danger with laughter.
However, the real danger begins when the scientists take their two submarines down to “the trench,” precisely 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) below the surface. This area of the ocean is sealed off by the thermocline, a cloud-like barrier. But enough about that, let’s get to the sharks.
Due to the increased presence of larger Megalodons, the submersibles are faced with a challenging situation. In a twist of fate, some cunning villains have orchestrated a mole within their operation and sabotaged a rescue ship, forcing Jonas and his team to think on their feet. Their unconventional solution involves traversing the trench on foot, wearing EV suits that are rapidly running out of oxygen, in order to reach a hidden station where the villains are carrying out a mysterious operation. Even when Jimmy briefly explains the importance of what they are trying to retrieve, Jonas comically questions the colossal value of a mere handful being worth a billion dollars. With their mission accomplished, they miraculously make it back to the surface, ensuring the film’s thrilling finale — a chaotic showdown at a beach resort creatively named “Fun Island” where not only Megalodons, but also dinosaurs, threaten the unsuspecting vacationers. This unexpected addition of dinosaurs follows the well-known action-sequel rule: “When in doubt, add dinosaurs.” (As demonstrated in “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” if you recall.)
Right now, we have Jonas and his team battling not only Megs but also dinosaurs and, oh, also, we should mention, a really enormous octopus. These tentacles appear early and often, and if you’ve ever wanted to know what happens when a giant shark meets a giant octopus, here’s your chance.
At a certain point, someone says, “I just hope this goes better than last time.” It’s a playful reference to the first film, but also a risky line to include in a sequel because they almost never go better than last time. This one doesn’t either, but at least it’s upfront about what it’s doing: just making things bigger and crazier. (By the way, Jonas actually jumps a shark. On a jet ski. Bearing harpoons.)
And throughout it all, Statham’s steady presence remains the connective tissue.
Not that you should get attached to anyone’s connective tissue here.
“Meg 2: The Trench,” a Warner Bros Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association “for action/violence, some bloody images, language, and brief suggestive material.” Running time: 116 minutes. Two stars out of four.