6.5
An exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean of a daring research team spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival.
Jason Statham
Jonas Taylor
Wu Jing
Jiuming Zhang
Shuya Sophia Cai
Meiying
Page Kennedy
DJ
Sergio Peris-Mencheta
Montes
Sienna Guillory
Driscoll
Cliff Curtis
Mac
Skyler Samuels
Jess
Melissanthi Mahut
Rigas
Whoopie van Raam
Curtis
Kiran Sonia Sawar
Sal
Felix Mayr
Lance
Guo Tao
Party Guest
Robin Hill
Cargo Ship Captain
Dai Lele
Beautiful Tourist
Ivy Tsui
Coco
Stewart Alexander
Tourist Buisinessman
Able Wanamakok
Tourists' Friend
Xiong Jinyi
Tourists' Friend
Cai Jingjing
Newlywed Woman
Kenneth Won
Club Paradise Guide
Longxi
Cute Girl on Boat
Bai Narisu
Cute Guy on Boat
Matthew Stirling
Leary Crewman
Richard Glover
Mercenary Pilot
Billy Clements
Mercenary
Jonny James
Mercenary
Enzo di Bonaventura
Curious Tourist
Sara Dee
Parrot / Suit Voice (voice)
Li Xin
Guest
Goran Lečić
Director
Ben Wheatley
Novel
Steve Alten
Screenplay, Screenstory
Dean Georgaris
Screenplay, Screenstory
Erich Hoeber
Screenplay, Screenstory
Jon Hoeber
August 12, 2023
5
Now the "Meg" (2018) itself could never be called a good film, but it is a great deal better than this muddled and derivative effort. "Jonas" (Jason Statham) is now working as a sort of eco-policeman trying to stop the dumping of toxic waste into the oceans, and after a snappy "007" style opening, he is daringly rescued by "Mac" (Clff Curtis) and "Rigas" (Melissanthu Mahut) and returned to the research centre where he is reunited with "Jess" (Skyler Samuels), "DJ" (Page Kennedy) and the adrenalin seeking "Juiming" (Jing Wu) who are nursing the daughter of the last megalodon! The team now travel to a remote installation where they must investigate some more of the beasties that live below the frozen layer put there by nature to ensure than we don't mix. Thing is, it seems they are not the only folks who've hit on the idea that there might be untapped riches 25,000 feet below the surface, and soon our team are involved in a contretemps with "Montes" (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) that introduces treachery, double-dealing and causes explosions galore that release not just megs, but also an enormous octopus into the ocean where they can merrily terrorise the holidaymakers on the nearby resort of "Fun Island". Can "Jonas" et al manage to take on four of these super-creatures before they've snacked their way through the tourists? This might have been a bit better if they'd just cut all the preamble and gone straight to the rig and to the underwater action, big fish and pyrotechnics. As it is, we spend far too long meandering about on the surface meeting the characters and there's way too much pointless dialogue throughout - though one or two half-hearted witticisms and puns help a little - before an ending that is entirely predictable and really rather processionally so. The acting is just banal, the continuity is all over the place - as is the editing - and the huge chunk of Ali Baba money that's floated this thing ensures that the switches from the English to Chinese languages actually smacks more of keeping everybody happy in the boardroom rather than engaging anyone in the actual cinema. Simply, even the charismatic Statham cannot rescue this from the doldrums of CGI-led mediocrity that churns out an unremarkable hybrid of "Jaws" and "Jurassic Park". It does need a big screen. If you wait til it's on the telly then you will be even more disappointed. Mind you, is that actually possible?