‘The Meg 2: The Trench’: A Surplus of New Aquatic Threats, 2023
★★☆☆☆
When Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better
In the long-anticipated sequel to the deep-sea monster mayhem of ‘The Meg’, Jason Statham reprises his role as Jonas Taylor, the undaunted hero who once again finds himself face-to-face with colossal prehistoric sharks. ‘The Meg 2: The Trench’ dives back into the world of giant prehistoric sharks, but this time, it drowns in a sea of uninspired storytelling, a surplus of new aquatic threats, and a frustrating lack of chemistry among its cast.
Statham vs. Sea Monsters
Jason Statham returns to face an array of dangers, including multiple megalodons and new lizard-like sea creatures. ‘The Meg 2: The Trench’ takes the audience on another ride through treacherous underwater realms, amplifying the action with relentless CGI-infused battles but it simply fails to recreate the magic of its predecessor.
Too Many Monsters, Too Little Fun
In an attempt to outdo the original, ‘The Meg 2’ borrows ideas from other monster movies and introduces an array of new threats. However, it doesn’t take long for this long-awaited sequel to dive into a familiar pitfall: recycling the same old tropes with minimal originality. The screenplay becomes cluttered, and the initial simplicity of ‘man vs. shark’ is muddled by numerous distractions. “The Meg 2” offers a mere extension of the first film’s formula, opting for a rinse-and-repeat approach.
A Missed Opportunity
Director Ben Wheatley, known for his pulpy exploits, is let down by a clunky screenplay. The film lacks the sharp humour and engaging dialogue that could have elevated it. Despite the film’s impressive visuals and occasionally thrilling action sequences, it falls short in one crucial aspect: character development. The characters remain one-dimensional and unremarkable, lacking the depth needed to create a genuine emotional connection with the audience. The chemistry among the cast is not the film’s strongest suit, and it’s clear that the film prioritises spectacle over substance.
For Fans of Underwater Monster Movies
Despite the film’s muddled formulaic narrative, ‘The Meg 2’ can still offer a spectacular thrill ride for fans of underwater monster movies. The depths of the ocean may conceal many secrets, but when it comes to cinematic carnage, this sequel refuses to keep anything hidden.
While it provides some heart-pounding moments, it ultimately sinks beneath the weight of its own storytelling, leaving audiences with the feeling that this franchise may have finally reached its low-water mark.
Action Reloaded’s Verdict: Sink or Swim?
While the original ‘Meg’ aimed to entertain with its shark-themed action, the sequel crams in too much and ends up floundering. It’s a missed opportunity to build on the fun premise and create an engaging creature feature.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Action Reloaded
Check out the review of the prequel, The Meg, 2018
