Rajender Manda
Meg 2: “The Trench” offers a bigger picture and a scarier danger, but it doesn’t make the most of what it could be. Filmmaker Ben Wheatley leads us into an area of the ocean that nobody has explored before.
In this movie, a team of researchers come face-to-face with ancient megalodons, this is for what we wanted to watch this movie. The story also involves a fight against a company’s greed. Though the initial idea sounds good, the way it’s carried out doesn’t meet expectations.
In the story of Meg 2: In “The Trench,” a group of scientists dives into a part of the ocean that no one has explored before, aiming to find new types of animals.
However, their mission is disrupted by a mining operation, and they find themselves facing not only the challenge of surviving encounters with megalodons (prehistoric sharks) but also outsmarting the corporate plunderers who are driven by greed.
Cast & Crew
Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Jason Statham, Jing Wu, Shuya Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Skyler Samuels, Cliff Curtis
Producers: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Belle Avery
Movie Review in Short:
Meg 2: The Trench starts with a fight between big scary creatures, setting the required hype for the film. Eco-warrior Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) takes on polluters before a billionaire owner of an oceanographic institute, Jiuming (Jing Wu), demonstrates a bond with a captive meg. The plot revolves around an expedition that goes wrong because of sabotage. This leads to a fight for survival and some really exciting parts.
But the storyline of the movie starts to stumble when it brings in bad guys resembling terrorists, megalodons, a huge octopus, and even a side story about a Fun Island. The characters don’t really change much, and the acting, even from Statham, doesn’t really grab our attention. The movie does have some of the most awe moments, especially during the intense action parts. However, it doesn’t make the most of the interesting story it could have had.
Story Telling
In Meg 2: The Trench, a research team ventures into an uncharted ocean sector to discover new species. Their mission gets messed up by a mining operation, so they have to deal with dangerous waters that have ancient megalodons in them.
The team has to deal with problems coming from both the old predators and the selfish corporate interests. The story of this movie has got some quite exciting fights, attempts to stay alive, and surprising turns, but it doesn’t quite manage to have a smooth and well-connected plot.
Why Should One Watch this Movie?
If you enjoy action-packed creature features with underwater adventures and dramatic survival scenarios, Meg 2: The Trench might entertain you.
Despite the shortcomings, this movie definitely offers moments of excitement and visually impressive sequences. It could be called a one time treat for anyone who would love to watch the ancient fish on a big screen.
Also Read: Megalodon: Unveiling the Real Apex Predator of Pre-Historic Times
Memorable Things about Meg 2: The Trench
- The thrilling high-tech survival sequence as the crew fights to reach a rescue station.
- The portrayal of the prehistoric megalodons and their interactions with the characters.
- The opening battle that sets the tone for the movie’s action-packed nature.
Good and Bad Aspects
| Aspect | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Intriguing premise of exploring the depths | Underdeveloped characters and convoluted plot |
| Direction | Exciting action scenes | Missed opportunities for deeper storytelling |
| Cast | Visually impressive megalodons | Lackluster performances and character depth |
| Scene | High-tech survival sequence | Overcrowded plot with unnecessary subplots |
| Acting | Jason Statham’s action sequences | Inconsistent performances across the cast |
| Visual Effects | Impressive portrayal of megs | Some CGI moments appear gimmicky |
| Pacing | Action-packed sequences | Narrative becomes disjointed and confusing |
| Cinematography | Underwater visuals | Fails to fully capitalize on its larger scope |
| Music | Complements action scenes | Lacks a standout musical score |
Meg 2: The Trench Review:
The prequel to this movie, Meg (2018), brought a sense of campy entertainment reminiscent of cult classics like Jaws and Jurassic Park. Now, director Jon Turteltaub passes the reins to Ben Wheatly for Meg 2: The Trench.
Even though the movie is bigger in scale and the danger is scarier, it doesn’t use its strong points to the fullest. Instead, it becomes a regular type of creature-focused movie with things that you can pretty much guess will happen, and the characters act like you’d expect them to.
The movie commences with a clash between monstrous creatures, blending characteristics of lizards, crocodiles, T-Rexes, and the iconic megalodon. The focus then shifts to eco-warrior Jonas Taylor (played by Jason Statham), who takes on a group polluting the ocean with hazardous waste. This initial tone-setting sequence largely shapes the expectations for what follows.
However, the plot takes a riveting turn as Jiuming (portrayed by Wu Jing), a billionaire who owns an oceanographic institute, showcases a connection with a megalodon in their captivity. The adventure becomes more exciting as the crew starts their mission to explore.
They discover plants that glow in the dark and mysterious animals. The narrative takes a downturn when their mission faces sabotage.
The intense sequence of their struggle for survival while traversing three kilometres to reach a rescue station, outfitted in high-tech suits, captivates with its execution. Regrettably, the plot’s trajectory begins to falter, paralleling the fate of their vessel.
The storyline becomes intricate when the group grapples with adversaries resembling terrorists, hybrid creatures of lizard and crocodile, a pack of megalodons, and even a colossal octopus.
Amidst these challenges, the film inserts light-hearted banter from crew members DJ (Page Kennedy), Jiuming, and James Mac’ Mackreides (Cliff Curtis). Unexpectedly, a diversion arises in the form of Fun Island, introducing vacationers in need of rescue.
This addition extends the movie’s duration without substantial contributions to the central plot.
The cast’s performances, including that of Jason Statham, lack standout moments. His interactions with Jiuming’s niece, Shuya Sophia Cai, intermittently evoke heartfelt emotions.
The depiction of megalodons navigating the ocean occasionally leans towards artificiality, although the climactic confrontation is executed with finesse. Meg 2: “The Trench” doesn’t quite reach the level of a masterpiece among monster movies.
To sum up, even though Meg 2: The Trench has exciting action and impressive visuals, it lacks well-developed characters, a clear plot, and overall good execution. People who love to watch movies about creatures and adventures might have fun with this. And not to forget “Jurassic Park” Returns to Theaters for its 30th Anniversary, With a 3D Twist. However, if you are among them who are looking for a deeper movie experience, then Meg 2 might not fully satisfy you.
Also Read: Meg 2: The Trench – Can The Shark Sequel Sink or Swim at the Box Office?
