The Terrifying Depths: Unveiling the Suspense of Meg 2

Meg 2: The Trench disappoints with its lackluster execution of a familiar horror concept. The film's first hour is filled with clumsy attempts at suspense, leading to a monotonous and uninteresting storyline. The characters lack depth, the camerawork is subpar, and the dialogue is atrocious. Additionally, the inclusion of absurd scientific elements and the portrayal of the villains make Meg 2 one of the worst movies in recent memory. Despite a handful of decent shots, this film is likely to be forgotten by audiences before the closing credits roll.

Taking over from Jon Turteltaub, director Ben Wheatley, known for his expertise in dark comedies such as High Rise and Free Fire, fails to make an impact. The screenplay, penned by returning writers Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris, doesn't do justice to the material provided by author Steve Alten, who firmly believes that his work deserves to be a billion-dollar franchise. Only time will tell if Meg 2 can replicate the surprising box-office success of its predecessor.

Meg 2 marks the highly anticipated comeback of Jason Statham's beloved character, Jonas Taylor, either his sixth or seventh most adored persona. Just like Deckard Shaw, Lee Christmas, or Orson Fortune, Taylor remains the same individual, only now embarking on thrilling ocean-based escapades. However, Taylor's romantic partner, Suyin Zhang, wasn't as fortunate. Her demise, undisclosed and offscreen, places Taylor in the popular yet reluctant role of a grumpy father figure to 14-year-old Meiying. Over time, Taylor has embraced the role of an eco-justice warrior, much to the dismay of his colleagues. Assisted by his longtime comrades Mac and DJ, Taylor's endeavors are backed by a mysterious sponsor, while Meiying's uncle, Jiuming, equips them with cutting-edge technology. Empowered by these new resources, the team returns to Mana-One to continue their exploration and mapping of the fabled trench.

Taylor and his crew stumble upon a clandestine underwater mining operation just moments before a devastating explosion leaves them stranded. The blast tears open the thermocline, allowing three colossal megalodon sharks to rise to the surface. Frustratingly, the film inundates the audience with scientific jargon, assuming nobody comprehends its meaning. Jonas and his companions swiftly uncover the head of the mining expedition as their supposed benefactor, exploiting Jiuming's advancements to exploit the ocean's resources for personal gain. Confronted with a villain reminiscent of Captain Planet and her devoted lackey, Taylor and his allies must escape the depths of the sea and confront numerous imposing sea creatures in order to save the day.

The overall structure of Meg 2 follows an unconventional three-act pattern. However, its excessively long duration is filled with extraneous scenes. In the first act, tedious conversations consume valuable time, setting up ideas that ultimately fail to materialize and hardly acknowledging important details. The second act unfolds in the trench, a naturally terrifying environment. After witnessing the nightmarish monstrosities that thrive miles beneath the ocean's surface under high pressure, one would expect palpable horror. But instead, the film squanders this potential with lackluster dialogue, mediocre CGI, and cringe-worthy jump scares. The setting impedes the cinematography, making it difficult to follow the action and determine which characters survive. Finally, the story takes us to a bustling resort island in the third act, catering to the audience's anticipated excitement. Unfortunately, this segment largely mirrors the drawbacks of the first film, despite the introduction of a colossal squid and prehistoric creatures from the land. These additions do little to heighten the overall experience. The film fails to live up to its potential and instead resembles a movie that teenagers in a sitcom would eagerly anticipate.

One would assume that a film centered entirely around a massive shark would have a clear identity. However, Meg 2: The Trench throws around a multitude of ideas, much like a set of keys dangled in front of an infant, only to discard them later. Ultimately, the film lacks a cohesive theme. While there are slight nods towards an environmental message, the film's conflicting messages emerge when Statham repeatedly asserts that certain species must perish for the betterment of humanity, which contradicts the "don't pollute" notion. It's evident that the film struggles to strike a balance between taking itself seriously and embracing the absurdity of its premise. The source material, a pulpy spy novel intertwined with colossal sharks as central plot devices, would have been far too earnest for the grand scale of a blockbuster. Purposefully injecting humor is rare in these films, an aspect that Meg 2 fails to deliver on. Those who willingly suspend their critical thinking to endure the first hour of Meg 2 will undoubtedly feel deceived. Meanwhile, those who are familiar with this genre will consistently feel let down by the missed opportunities that the film blatantly overlooks. In its desperate attempt to please all audiences, Meg 2 ironically becomes irredeemably monotonous.

Meg 2's sole purpose was to entertain summer audiences with mindless stunts, exhilarating action, and massive sharks. While fans of the first film may argue that it successfully achieves this objective, the majority of viewers will be less than thrilled. It's a tragic situation where Meg 2 falls short. Although not deserving of a trip to the cinema, it can be somewhat justified when viewed on the largest screen imaginable. Meg 2: The Trench may find favor with those seeking a film to casually watch during a Sunday afternoon nap. Its downfall lies not in its absurd premise, but rather in its failure to capitalize on a multitude of promising concepts.