Meg 2: The Trench is a science fiction action film directed by Ben Wheatley. It took three writers to come up with this sequel to The Meg.. Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoebar, and Erich Hoebar adapted this from the novel from Steve Alten. I imagine that it bears very little resemblance to the original work. Jason Statham reprises his role of Jonas Taylor, some protector of the environment who has already escaped the jaws of a Megalodon, some prehistoric super shark that can never get a full meal. Wu Jing, Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, and Sergio Peris-Mencheta are also included in the cast.
The film starts off with Jonas Taylor on a barge gathering evidence of illegal dumping of radioactive waste into the ocean. He has to fight off thuggish crewmembers before pulling off a ludicrously impossible escape with the help of some friends. He returns to a research base stationed at the edge of giant trench in the ocean floor where submersibles are being created so they can explore the deepest depths where they expect to find all kinds of interesting marine life. Well, the dive goes wrong when the giant sharks attack and cripple the vehicles. Unexpected salvation lies in a secret base that was somehow constructed at the bottom the Trench. Taylor and his team dodge all sorts of perils to make it inside where they learn of a betrayal that forces them into numerous confrontations with the savagely hungry inhabitants of the Trench.
This is such a mindless popcorn movie. Jason Statham doesn’t typically star in films with much character depth or a deliciously complicated plot, and this particular film remains on brand. Statham is still pretty fun to watch in this genre, and this film manages to keep that streak going, at least. I did find that I enjoyed most of the other characters, which sort of surprised me. Some of the tasteless quips were sporadically funny, which is better than none of them getting at least a low chuckle.
Of course, the stunts and visual effects were pretty amusing. Not much was believable, but if one keeps that bar of expectation low enough, it isn’t impossible to actually enjoy this thing.
There is a teen-age girl, played by Sophia Cai, who is kind of adopted by Jonas. I did find her to be pretty charming and played off well with the other co-stars. Wu Jing has some pretty good moments as well which displays both his charisma and athleticism. He plays the uncle of the young girl and runs the company he had gotten from his sister, who was killed in the first film. He is very innovative but a little reckless. He ends up being someone who handles crises with a good deal of wit as well as courage.
There is a massive amount of suspension of disbelief required to enjoy this film, however Jason Statham is too fun to watch to not make the effort. The cast is not as well-known, but they were well chosen. I liked everyone I was supposed to.
The Megs and the various other sea life encountered in this film were formidable and well-realized. I guess the studio utilized the technology pretty well, but most of these films these days consistently get that right.
Overall, it’s a stupid movie but somehow still enjoyable.
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