Meg 2: The Trench – Movie Review (2/5)

MEG 2: THE TRENCH is out in theaters worldwide. It’s the sequel to the very popular THE MEG shark horror movie about a megalodon. Jason Statham still stars, and most of the original (survived) cast is back. But the charm isn’t. Read our full Meg 2: The Trench movie review here!

MEG 2: THE TRENCH is the sequel to the very popular THE MEG. While the first movie did actually focus on the megalodon (or simply “meg”), this sequel spends way too much time on everything else. I can easily accept that we need to introduce new characters and set up a new plot.

However, this sequel is focused on various new plot elements, and ultimately still just ends up being about killing the megs. To me, the real enemy isn’t to be found in what comes from the trench, but rather from other people. And this is an angle that is explored. For a while. And then it becomes Jason Statham chasing the megalodons on a water scooter.

Continue reading our Meg 2: The Trench movie review below. Find it in US theaters from August 4, 2023.

The Abyss meets The Black Demon

I kept thinking of James Cameron’s The Abyss (1989) and The Black Demon while watching Meg 2: The Trench. Admittedly, the fact that I recently watched the shark horror movie The Black Demon obviously made me think of this. But if you’ve watched it, then you’ll surely see it too. And if you haven’t, then you absolutely should!

WANT A NEW MEG?

Check out Black Demon which features a different kind of megalodon story >

When it comes to The Abyss, it’s fairly obvious as we are underwater (deep underwater) for quite some time. In fact, the entire first half of the movie takes place primarily under the water but isn’t focused on the animals there.

No, this sequel suffers from the same thing that many zombie series do after a few seasons; The main villain is now other people. And hey, as an animal lover, I am fine with that particular angle. However, somehow this sequel still turns into a movie that is all about killing megs. And everything else that dares enter our world.

Not enough megs on the screen

Obviously, Meg 2: The Trench does feature quite a lot of megs (or megalodons). Also, there’s a mega octopus. Both are shown (and therefore revealed) in the trailer. However, be warned; most of the scenes featuring the megs and the mega octopus are shown in the trailer.

Instead, the movie focuses on all the human villains, and frankly, they aren’t that interesting. Or rather, they are interesting, I suppose, but also so obvious and stereotypical that you’ll spot them all way before they are revealed.

I loved the fact that most of the cast was back for Meg 2: The Trench and Jason Statham is always great to me. Yes, even in this movie, but he isn’t nearly as charming and witty as in the previous movie. Sure, for a scene or a moment here and there, but it’s taken too far. The comedy moves towards Sharknado at times, and this is a shame.

The character of DJ was the best surprise for most of the movie. Yes, he is also back, but this time, he’s ready. Page Kennedy does a great job. Even if the one-liners do go a bit too far toward the end, I can live with that.

Many of the new characters are portrayed by very familiar faces. Including Sienna Guillory (A Banquet), Sergio Peris-Mencheta (Xtreme), and Skyler Samuels (The Gifted).

Watch Meg 2: The Trench in movie theaters worldwide

Ben Wheatley is the director of Meg 2: The Trench and I have loved many of his previous movies. Unfortunately, I can’t really feel him in this one. For a moment here and there, perhaps, but not overall. That is a damn shame as he is a brilliant genre director.

His Rebecca remake on Netflix wasn’t amazing either, but check out his older movies. Pure brilliance. Kill List especially.

This sequel is still based on Steve Alten’s book “The Trench” and the screenplay (and screen story) comes from Jon Hoeber,
Erich Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris. I don’t think I expected that much from this sequel, but I was hoping for more of the same. Unfortunately, I only got a little bit more of the same, and a lot of new macho action stuff without the charm.

And not nearly enough screen time for the megs for a movie with a runtime of over two hours. Oh, and do not expect to see much of the mega octopus. It doesn’t show up until the end and is mostly tentacles coming out of the water. We hardly see one full shot of it. The biggest shame of all for this movie.

Meg 2: The Trench is out in movie theaters worldwide and in US theaters from August 4, 2023.

Details

Director: Ben Wheatley
Writers: Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber Dean Georgaris
Cast: Jason Statham, Sienna Guillory, Cliff Curtis, Skyler Samuels, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Page Kennedy, Wu Jing