Movie Review: The Meg

(c) Warner Bros. Pictures

When I first saw the trailer for "The Meg" I didn't know whether to take the movie seriously, I mean its a HUGE prehistoric Shark versus Jason Statham! As I was watching the film though, it sure gave me a lot to think about. Aside from the wheels in my head turning (in a good way) I was also at the edge of my seat with jump scares and going into one exciting scene to the next. 

Its interesting to note that the movie is actually based on a 1997 Science Fiction book by Steve Alten, which means there's plot to it. Its not just a "Sharknado" wannabe, its not just sharks eating people. There are actually a lot of themes (if you know where to look for them) in the film which I appreciated. 


Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, "The Meg" knows what it is-a glorious B-movie with a creature feature that will bring back all those fears and doubts about going into the ocean. I remember when I was a kid, my dad would chase us around the swimming pool with pretend shark fins and humming the "Jaws" theme.  While "The Meg" will never be at par with "Jaws" it is something that this generation can enjoy being frightened of, or you know, just enjoy it for the popcorn flick that it is. Its funny how audiences anticipate "something" is about to happen and end up either feeling silly if they are wrong or completely vindicated when the big bite does come. 

(c) Warner Bros. Pictures

The film opens with a deep sea underwater rescue headed by Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) and a couple of colleges, who try to rescue a submarine with a number of injured victims in it. As they attempt to escape, an unknown entity threatens to kill all of them if Taylor does not make the call-save his friends or let everyone else die? 


Five years later, an underwater research facility called "Mana One" is leading a mission to discover the possibility of an even deeper depth than the Marianas trench. The research is led by Dr. Minway Zhang, along with his oceanographer daughter Suyin Zhang (Li Bingbing). The project is financed by Jack Morris (Rainn Wilson). The mission goes well until the submersible, which has three crew members in it is attacked by an unknown creature and loses contact with Mana One. 


Jonas (I only realized now, is the perfect name for this character ~ you know? Jonas and the whale? Get it?) is asked to help rescue the trapped crew members and possibly come face to face with the Megalodon, a prehistoric shark, long since thought of to be extinct.  

(c) Warner Bros. Pictures

"We do, what we always did. We discover and we destroy". 

Yes, man, who is supposedly the steward of the earth can get really selfish and really stupid at the same time. 

There's a scene which points out to the issue of shark pouching and how cruel it is. Pouchers would cut off the fins of the shark and throw them back in the ocean for them to die - "just for a bowl of soup" and the Megalodon destroying a "shark boat" is just poetic justice. 

"Its not about the people you left behind, it's also about the people you saved."

Lots of personal sacrifices and survivor's guilt in this film. 



Probably my favorite Jason Straham movie to date (loved the "Finding Dory" reference by the way). It was so nice to see him interact with audience favorite, child actor Shuya Sophia Cai who played Meiyin, the daughter of Suyin. I thought they had better chemistry than Jonas with Suyin. Who were unfortunately the subject of some ill timed flirting and something that the film could have just left off. 

I thought that maybe it was too "Chinese" for me? Produced and distributed alongside China's Gravity Pictures, we all know making the film appealing to Chinese audiences is a technique to break into their coveted market. 


Also why no Philippines when they raised the alarm for the Megalodon? Warn Australia but not us? (LOL). I know, I know. Given the political climate we weren't going to get a mention, unlike in "Jaws".

(c) Warner Bros. Pictures

"The Meg" is more than just a shark movie. There are fun plots, lots of relevant themes, a character with a drive and a purpose. Jason Stratham wasn't just a macho dude who was going to take on a giant shark. He also has excess baggage and issues and its nice to see that vulnerable side of him. Although that was only there for an instant and he's back to his steely-eyed, heavy accented self (deeeeym those abs sure got me distracted for a second).


There is stills some cheesy and corny dialogue ("That living fossil ate my friend!") but that's forgivable.  

Lots of complaints about the film being PG and not being bloody enough. Well, look at it this way, at least the kids can go see and enjoy it right? Granted of course, they are accompanied by adults. One officemate was asking me about the film, since her son has shown great interest, correcting his mom with "Megalodon" instead of "The Meg".  I assured her of its rating and if kids can watch Jurassic World then they can watch "The Meg". 


Also, given the ratio and proportion of the Meg and a human adult, you really won't see much tearing flesh and blood, its just all one big gulp. Its the chase and the question of survive or snack that becomes important.   



5.5/10 - "The Meg" is one fun creature feature popcorn flick, just leave your expectations at the door and enjoy it for what it is- entertainment best enjoyed in the big screen.