Well well, it’s another sequel falling prey to the ‘second movie curse’. Dive into the wild, toothy waters of Meg 2: The Trench, the sequel that promises to be more jaw-dropping than a cannonball off a pirate ship. Following in the wake of its fin-tastic predecessor, this oceanic adventure helmed by director Ben Wheatley aims to give summer audiences a ride that’s wetter and wilder than a waterslide on a stormy day. But does it really deliver on the “shark-tainment” we’re all secretly craving? I’m on the no side
Plot
Hold onto your floaties, because Jason Statham’s back as Jonas Taylor, the deep-sea daredevil turned eco warrior. The action goes idhar chala main udhar chala from confronting radioactive-waste-dumping bad guys to a flashy party where Statham meets a parrot (yes, a parrot). But the real splash happens when Wu Jing’s Jiuming takes the spotlight with a presentation that’s more surprising than finding a seashell in your pocket. Heart-wrenching losses and jaw-dropping discoveries propel Taylor’s underwater crew into a whirlpool of trouble. Oh and it isn’t just ONE Meg to worry about. Complimentary drinks mein Squids, Dinosaurs and ek Octopus bhi hai. So far, so good. Can’t complain.
Performances
Well, I mean action movies aren’t really your standards for acting. And, if we look at it that way, they have done a decent job. Statham‘s less “action hero” and more “action-hero-with-attitude,” cracking jokes and winking at the camera like he’s sharing a secret with the entire theater. It’s fun to see him on the screen. But his on-screen parrot pal deserves an Oscar for best feathered supporting actor. The gang’s all here, with familiar faces Cliff Curtis and Page Kennedy setting the humour right. Wu Jing and Sophia Cai are amazing new additions that bring some fresh sea breeze, but it’s Statham’s sizzling chemistry with a parrot that really steals the show.
Direction and Writing
Bass, yaha se things become 50-50. Ben Wheatley transitions from his indie ‘no business just cinematography’ roots to a madhouse blockbuster diving suit and boy, does he make a splash! It is utter mayhem and chaos from start to finish. But this is what also makes it monotonous. The film comes off more as a series of action sequences stringed together rather than a coherent storyline. The dialogues are prettyyy mid, and more often than not, the humour here sucks. Just because action movie hai doesn’t mean writing ko ekdum hi ignore kar doge.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Again, buckle up, because the screenplay rides the rollercoaster from “Oh, come on!” to “This is fin-tastic!” There’s cannonball-level action and heart-pounding encounters, but the old-school cringe dialogues ruin things to a great extent. Full marks to cinematographer Laurie Rose, who dives deep to capture the ocean’s mystery, splashing us with jaw-dropping underwater scenes and killer creature confrontations. The VFX is pretty damn good with the underwater glow, like a rave at the bottom of the sea, adding to the movie’s tidal wave of tension.
If you’re looking for a high-octane dive into sheer sharky silliness, Meg 2: The Trench is a mid summer blockbuster wave. Statham’s swagger, Wheatley’s sharknado of action, and a parrot that should win Best Bird at the Oscars combine for a wild ride that’s heavily ruined by a crashing tornado of bad writing and cringe dialogues. Watch with a fun group and you’re gonna have fun, but beware for the meh writing. Although I’d rather watch Monsterverse movies instead.
