Jason Statham Takes the Lead in a Film Perfectly Crafted for an August Premiere
The Pitch: Steven Spielberg has imparted numerous essential life lessons through his films. Lesson one: Steer clear of waters inhabited by a massive shark. Lesson two: Stay far away from situations involving prehistoric creatures. Lesson three: For heaven’s sake, avoid both of the above! Sadly, for a significant portion of the characters in Meg 2: The Trench, this sage advice is blissfully ignored.
The story kicks off with the reemergence of Jason Statham as an eco-warrior, dubbed the “green James Bond,” who is still associated with the Mana One research facility introduced in the first film. He’s also occasionally seen battling sinister polluters threatening our pristine oceans (everyone needs a hobby, after all). The danger, however, hits much closer to home when a planned dive down to the Trench takes a perilous turn—the Trench being an untouched region of the ocean floor, an ideal hangout for giant sharks hailing from the dinosaur era.
When Jason Statham and his team (including his stowaway adopted tween daughter) find themselves marooned on the ocean floor, they’re thrust into a harrowing life-or-death battle with massive sharks and even more menacing threats lurking below. Yet, as it often turns out, the most significant threats are other humans, particularly when the dangers of the Trench start to encroach on the shoreline…
Summertime, and the Movies Are Breezy… In August, films often seem to be held to a different standard. It’s summer—prime time for cold beverages, shorts of any length, and heading to the movies chiefly because the air conditioning at home just isn’t cutting it, and perhaps you’re in the mood to watch a giant shark wreak havoc.
On that front, Meg 2: The Trench certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s somewhat surprising to see Ben Wheatley’s name, a director celebrated for the acclaimed 2016 dystopian thriller High-Rise, attached to this movie (Jon Turteltaub directed the first installment). Although Wheatley doesn’t infuse any notable visual flair into the film, he exhibits a keen grasp of what’s required to craft a successful genre film, deftly hitting essential marks and injecting ample humor along the way.
Searching for sparks of true originality in Meg 2 would be as futile as expecting Jason Statham to adopt an American accent. Even the opening scene seems to echo Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s aquatic escapades in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and bears a direct resemblance to Colin Trevorrow’s initial opening for Jurassic World: Dominion. Nonetheless, akin to Statham himself, the movie understands its role and performs precisely to the level the audience is anticipating.
Statham vs. Shark: Who Will Prevail? One of the most unexpected aspects of Meg 2 is its apparent lack of interest in reintroducing the characters from the first film to the audience. If there’s one piece of advice to take from this review, it’s this: watch the original Meg (available for streaming on Max) before you head to the theater. Aside from Jason Statham, the only character who receives substantial development in The Trench is new addition Jiuming (Wu Jing), who is the uncle of Meiying (the young girl from the first film, portrayed by Sophia Cai). Nevertheless, there are character twists reliant on familiarity with the first film, invoking a vibe reminiscent of the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Perhaps a Meg Cinematic Universe is just around the corner?)
Notice that this review refers to Jason Statham’s character simply as Jason Statham. Why? Because it’s high time we stopped pretending that when Jason Statham is cast in a role, he’s being asked to be anyone other than Jason Statham. Whether he’s aligned with angels or devils in the narrative, he remains steadfastly himself, kick-punching and growling his way through whatever high-concept problems are thrown his way. His character in the Meg films, originating from Steve Alten’s novels (with The Trench being the second in the series), is named Jonas—an anagram for Jason. It’s as if Alten knew all along.
Embedded within the film is a surprising amount of comic relief, often from unexpected sources. For instance, Cliff Curtis delivers genuine moments of slapstick—a departure from the typically stoic roles we’re accustomed to seeing him in. (The man excels at portraying stoicism; it’s undeniable.)
Delving into the script for this film is an intriguing endeavor. There are comedic moments that feel polished and genuinely funny, while others land humorously due to their seemingly untouched, draft-like nature. For example, the third act is set on a tropical resort island humorously named “Fun Island,” a moniker brazenly displayed in bold letters on the screen.
It does look like a blast! Well, until the sharks arrive, that is.
The Verdict: While The Trench lacks genuinely shocking twists—thanks to cartoonish character beats that preemptively signal each major development—the CGI sea creatures are well-executed. The undersea action is largely clear and engaging, setting this film apart as a notably coherent entry in the giant shark movie genre, complete with effects that are a cut above the rest.
For context, consider the notoriously bad direct-to-video film Shark Attack 3: Megalodon, known for its abysmal effects, including a scene featuring a jet-skier driving straight into a shark’s mouth. Meg 2 offers a somewhat similar shot, but executed far more convincingly. It’s the type of late-summer cheese that you can enjoy without cringing—especially if you’re using your AMC A-List subscription to escape the sweltering heat.
Where to Watch: Meg 2: The Trench makes its big splash in theaters on Friday, August 4th.