Meg 2: The Trench movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Meg 2: The Trench

This scary movie releases in theaters on August 4, 2023.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 56 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

This sequel to the summer blockbuster The Meg features a research team that encounters multiple threats while exploring the oceanic trench. Add in environmental messaging about evil mining operations and humorous conversations about parenting, and you get a green sequel that doesn’t have the same bit as the first film.

The film was directed by Ben Wheatly. Writing credits go to Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris.

THINGS I LIKED:

If you like Jason Statham as I do, you’ll get a kick out of this movie. He also worked as one of the Executive Producers of the film. He’s great a comedy, drama, and, of course, action. If you liked the first Meg movie, this is more of the same schtick…and a lot of fun.
Other cast members include Jing Wu, Shuya Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Sienna Guillory, Cliff Curtis, and Skyler Samuels. Everyone does a great job.
Like the first Meg movie, there is a large Chinese influence. I’ve been to China many times on business trips and love the country and its people. One of my sons even married a lovely girl from Hong Kong! I now have a half-Chinese grandson who is ridiculously adorable.
Impressive set pieces.
For a creature feature, we see plenty of crazy action.
The movie, thankfully, doesn’t take itself too seriously. The trailer clearly showed us this would be a goofy, summer, popcorn movie.
If you enjoy watching mean-spirited, stupid people die, this film is for you.
Some of the VFX are great, while others aren’t so great.
The scenarios are ridiculous, but no one will ever say this movie isn’t creative!
In addition to an even bigger Meg, than we saw in the first film, we see sharks, more Megs, and a bunch of creepy, crawly monsters that fight dirty.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

You can’t fault people for their heavy Chinese accents, yet some people probably will.
Apparently, Page Kennedy, one of the actors in the film who happily collected his paycheck stated, “This is some dumb a$$ shiX. Mark my words.”
British director Ben Wheatley is known for his horror movies such as Free Fire, In The Earth, and Kill List. Fans of the horror genre are disappointed that this movie doesn’t have enough blood and gore. I’m totally fine without all of that!
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell exactly what’s happening in the dark scenes and when creatures are all over the place attacking humans.
I hate shaky cam.
It’s outlandish.
The villains are easily unlikeable and just silly.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

In the first scene, we see dangerous, prehistoric creatures fight and devour each other.
Lots of destruction.
People are in perilous situations
A lot of people die.
People violently fight other people and creatures with various weapons.
Blood and gore

THEMES:

Respecting Mother Nature and the Environment
Respecting animal life
Courage
Critical-thinking skills
Loyalty
Friendship
Keeping promises
Greed

FUNNY LINES:

“I can’t believe you’ve gotten this far in life without knowing how to tie a tie.” – James “Mac” Mackreides (Cliff Curtis)
“He’s like a green James Bond.” – James “Mac” Mackreides (Cliff Curtis)
“In psychology, they call it ‘cognitive dissonance.”’ – Meiying (Shuya Sophia Cai) “In the real world, they call it parenting.” – Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham)
“See you later, chum.” – Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham)